Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-27
CHAPTER x.

YET MUST PROVE ALL TRUTH TO THEE.
The colonel found his goddaughter in
her own little sitting-room, very unhappy,
utterly unable to employ herself. Lady
Darnel was in the next room. She would
not allow Grace to remain with her. She
preferred to be alone,
"She does nothing but brood, and do
nothing but brood" said Grace, who came
out into the corridor to talk to the colonel.
"If we go on much longer like this, we
shall both be in lunatic asylum"
The colonel patted her gently on the
shoulder, but could offer no better con-
ISOLATION He had talked confidentially
with the doctor on the previous evening,
and he had little hope of his old comrades
recovery"
"Your Aunt Dora is active enough
for the whole household" he said, Bit
terly.
"She is positively diabolical," exclaimed
Grace. "The idea of her sending for de-
tective, and worrying poor Lady Darnel
with questions about that wretched
money as if it could do my dear father
any good to find the burglar who shot
him. OF course, should like the wretch
to be hanged but can't think of him or
of anything else till my dearest father is
out of danger"
II am going for prowl, Grace. I sha'n't
wait for luncheon, as | want a long after
noon"
"The house is just shade drearier when
you are out of it," said Grace, with a sigh.
"You have not had any letter or message
from Mr.. Camllac?"
"Not word. feel convinced that he is
dead-that he died of cold and hunger
under some hedge, but feel as if it didn't
matter. l dare say shall feel sorry for
him by and by, when my father is out of
danger"
Il don't suppose he is dead Grace A
man of that age is not so easily killed"
"1f he were not dead or dying, should
have heard of him before now" said
Grace, with conviction. why did he
come to this place except to see me? He
was penniless, and he knows that am
rich. What more natural than that he
should appeal to me. He could not go on
existing without money"
mo, he could not go on without money"
thought the colonel
The whole story seemed clear to him.
This Camillac had been lurking about the
grounds that night with the hope OF see
ing Grace. He saw the lighted windows
of Lady Darners room, opening upon a
balcony which was easy to climb
he scaled the balcony, overheard
Sir Allan's talk about the bank
notes, saw where they were put, and
made rush for them when the room was
empty. The whole transaction had grown
out of the inspiration of the moment-an
unprecedented crime, suggested by op-
portunity. He had come to the house to
get a few pounds from his sweetheart, and
"a h0d end ,1xr IL L
himself to f4OO.
And now, for Grace's sake, the colonel
wanted to get this scoundrel out of the
way, at any cost to himself of trouble or
hard cash. He was not a poor man, and
he could afford to spend few hundred
for his favorite. The difficulty was where
to find the man. If he had got clear off
out of the clutches of the law it was well,
and he might rest upon his ill-gotten
gains at distance without infiicting evil
upon Grace; but if he was hiding any,
where within thirty miles of Darnel, the
odds were that he would fall into the
hands OF Mr. Penwern, and the whole
story would come to light at the next
quarter sessions
The colonel rode slowly down the ave-
nue. on his old gray cob, a cob that was
the very essence of sobriety and good
manners as hack, and yet, when in
spired by a view-halloa and good COM
pany, could go at a tremendous pace in a
burst across country. He rode very
slowly, meditating where and how he was
to pursue his quest of Mr.. Camillac. He
had already visited almost every cottage.
and explored every copse or common in
the neighborhood. Half down the ave-
nue. he met Edward Colchester on foot.
Continued to.norroar.