The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-02

brass plato, "Mr. Crouch, Solicitor"
"Cdn't agree with you; don't take
your view Of Vt at all Queer ana
cessariy trenohery; the fellow Is mad.
Open ~ explanation, ! should think; GER
tainly shouldn't have done what you have.
Dome mean TO say there was not cause for
caution; Tut, face to face, You are rs good
a man AZ he j.. aud should have thought
could have ken care OF yourself. would
have had il out with him lhon and there;
but then I'm matter OF fact, aud there's no
romance or superstition about me-
1nis is the spirit in which / received
John Darglcs account of himself, and
which have reproduced from the short
hand notes | took while he del vered IT. TO
me over the breakfast he so sorely needed
after his tramp. l had not seen hun for
months; but. knowing the house to be
nearly finished, was looking forward to
having my old friend Mrs. Ddrglc and her
son for ncighbors. had never quite seen
the reason for Jacks magnunimity toward
his cousin. should never had anything
to do with him, but | u I'd not know him,
ana did not want. Father aud son were
both curmudgeons, to my thinking.
We'll, John Dlrgle was much agitated
and inclined TO be angry, because did not
see the case with his eyes; but rs | had
knOH n him from u boy to be always n
dreamy, supcrsttious sort OF chap, made
allowance, and rs | had strong regard
for his father | said no moro, but suggest
ed that II could manage 60 drive through
the snow would 20 to Chillcstono at once,
nsb for John Dargle and see what would
happen. so we settled it, ana further we
agreed that ! should take him with me TO
within half mile Of the house, and that
when ! hud got about an hours start he
should follow an Put III an appearance
there also. Meanwhile was to act accord
ing To- circumstances and what they might
have revealed to me.
And u pretty drive through that heavy
snow we hnul But it's rs well went, per-
haps; and popping john out IA agreed,
drove on the last nalt mile alone.
| had never seen this architect but rs
the door was opened To me when | drove
up by u sallow-facci, dark haired young
man, | concluded II was he. aud from the
first | did not ike the look OF him. lie
had u nasty pnChed-up face, and turtive
eyes which never rested straight on nine
for u second from the beginning to the end
OF our acquaintance, though truly that
was not IA long one. II his appearance did
not please me- certainly his an swtr 10 my
inquiry Tor Junn Dlrglc y eased me less,
ana | began to monty the view | had
taken Of thnt young gcutlcman's story. |
smelt a rat when Mr. MIltcrlCe told mo
that his cousin had been obliged 10 leave
very early In the morning, owing TO some
letters he found on ms ARRIVAL the day be-
fore. and winch required his presence III
London.
lie started by five this morning TO ride
To w OlttHtti = tittl the HlNi UP lItlln,
said Mdkerace. Mike. here" pointing
to the stable hoy, who had come round on
the appearance OF the dogcurt, cot his
horse ready last night by NY orders, didn't
you. MikeF
'' II :, sIr, grinned Mike. and kind n
seed I'M 20 on leastways, | WIS awake
ABOUT five, anu seed hsnt u-novnS IN 1
sable yard
| controlled my countcnance and said
That's very awNward; had an appoint
ment with INN mere ut one O'Clock, and |
mn expecting my clerk III hall an hour or
so 10 meet me. We were going INTO some
business matters with Mr. Daigle; what
can dOH
"IdOn't know really" was the answer.
" He won't be here tO-pay.
Humph Well, VIII you allow me to
wait llttle, that may not miss my clerk,
a. shall nave TO take MIN back :"
"Oh, yes, If you wish; but the place is
very uuiimshcd.'
could SEQ he wanted to get rid OF me,
and, of course, now | was ucte. mined he
should not.
Never mind; there's fire in the hail. |
see; I'll just sit down tncfe, n you please,
unti my maa comes Ana was not glad
my man was coming, To give the lie point
blank 10 TINS Tuscaiy There would be Il
srene, / thought, aud II would be amusing
But what u 80 ne. Who could have nu.
tlcipAtcd IL? MOI the widest rOmaucer -
certainty not such prO~uic old fellow rs |
and tue dog cart was taken to the stables
| warmed myself at the fire. looked Gu
rously toward the staircase at the bach
OF the hall, malo one or two commons
place rcinai Ks. and sat down. Make
race was evidently very uncOmfOrt-
able. and after iiigeting about Tor {
few inmates, suddenly ememDcrcd h,
had letter TO write, asked 10 be excused
ana reucatei mp the staircase. stronl
/ curiosity TO examine the uewcis OF tn,
balustrade, winch John had maze such
ugmarolo about, was on ms directly
ctu-ht sight of them, aud the moment
was alone gratihed 1t.
The first | touched ON the left was quit,
solid and lmmovable; but the other, surf
enough, Welded to my attempt 10 turn il
ana went smoul hly, rs II on "a pivot, NV,
siGcs found; yet each face being equal, /
dII not shu" that IL had been mcddie,
with, and turned II back again to ITS Tor
mcr position. Trying II once III re, thu
bringing itngain Two sides round, wonder
nlg what the deuce IL meant, and before
could return a., / neard MaAeracc's loot
sep above.
Not wishing to be caught prying, drop
ped my hands benund me, and stOo
pretending to admire the staircase
rang; guessed who IL was, straight
way opened the door, and admit
ted John DIrgle. MouOning hun TO be 81
/ lent, We DOth advanced 10 Inc loot OF tn
stars.
My clerk has arrived, Mr. Makerace,
T called up thcn; but 1 should like 1
leave message, IL You Will step down.
We heard hiul coming, and saw hls nan
gliding along the upper balustInle. Ill
reached the last starr which turned on u
the landing ut the head OF the light, n
the bottom of which we stood. He saw u
saw Joan, Enthusiastically John Darglo-
with tho light from the window above ial
| ing fun on him.
There was pause-neither OF Ms stirred
EN Violently Iakerlce's nrst Impulse was I
retreat; but appearing TO recover IA
| presence OF mind, ne broke into shor
forced laugh, stepped forward on to III
landing, and disappeared! - droppe
straight through the toor almost withOu
! "A sound!
Wonder and CONSERVATION seized us, d
least me, but Jack seemed 10 have Il gliu
merlng OF the truth. Catching my arm
he exclaimed:
There, knew there was some deyillr
on these stairs. Lave you touched IL
! newelf'
Eyes"
"Thcn by heaven we've got Mt the 81
cret!"
We rushed up the edge OF the LANDING
Very cautiously jack pat one loot lghtl
upon IT, me floor yielded. Two broa
planks yielded with u spring, ANA Upene
more than wide enough 10 admit man