Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-09-09

found out before that the exemplary
Cecilia could not hold her tongue.
This extreme discretion having been
observed, the Scotland yard detective ar
rived as visitor, to him. He was very
quiet, and adopted the character Of the
man who does not dance, or talk, or do
anything, and 1T answered admirably.
A number of other men, with superb
shirt fronts, hung about the doorway and
looked bore d. Mr.. Hawk was admirably
gotten up for the purpose, and had only
to mingle with these others. and look as
bored as they. Lady Hayward was de-
lighted at this excellent effacement of
himself, and kept her eye on him with
great interest. She managed to speak to
i'm very late, when the party was break
ing up. He had discovered nothing so
far-not even "clew''-and she went to
bed disappointed.
Visitors at Hayward Castle breakfast
ed, of course, at any time during the
morning, but the family always assembl-
ed to morning prayers at S:45, and break
fast formally began directly afterward
Mr.. Hawk had learned this, and was in
the breakfast-room early-the only guest
present. No one else turned up bnt
Lord and Lady Hayward themselves,
Rose Mannering, who always appeared
with her charge at this time, and the ser
wants. Even Miss Collette was too tired
to come down, though no one was strict
er, theoretically, on the subject of family
prayers. How grateful was Lady Hay
ward, half an hour afterward, that her
sister had been late that morning!
The servants all came in led by the
butler and the stately housekeeper, and
sat very quietly in the shadow of cur
tain.
With all decorum the servants filed out
again, but Mr.. Hawk did not move. The
moment the door closed upon the last of
them he leaned over to Lord Hayward, and
said:
'EMr. Lord may the men servants watch
the windows of this room outside for a
few minutes? Don't ask me to explain;
there's no time to lose"
The old butler came in at that moment,
carrying silver-pot. Lord Hayward gave
the order.
''And tell them to keep their eyes open,"
added Mr.. Hawk. "We've the feetest
pair of heels to deal with in the king
dom.
Lady Hayward looked, and listened, her
heart in her mouth What was coming
next?
''Your Ladyship," said Mr.. Hawk, ''may
[ send for your maid?"
Lord Hayward rang instantly.
''Why should you suspect herr" pro-
testedLady Hay ward. "She is a most SUI
perior girl. She has travelled with me
and know her well. No suspicion must
| fall on her unless you have proofs"
| Mr.. Hawk rose and went anxiously to
| the door.
The order had been given, but scarcely
a moment had elapsed.
''Do you expect her to come here in less
than Inoment?" asked Lady Hayward,
Grossly.
Just then Taylor appeared at the door;
the butler was behind her. She came in
and the door was shut, the butler remain
ing outside. At the first glance Lady
Hayward had seen a curious look on the
girls face-One she had never seen be-
fore. But Immediately she was herself
again, and now she stood before Lord
and Lady Hayward and the detective,
perfectly quiet, without culver on her
face.
'John," said Mr.. Hawk, ''this is really
very wrong of you; it is an Infamous
trick to have played. For two years you
have been wanted, and I knew you wern't
out of the country; but I'd no idea that
you could be doing such thing as
this
While he spoke Mr.. Hawk had ap-
preached Taylor and put pair of
handouts on her.
= There had been little by play first;
Taylor had scanned the windows and saw
they were guarded.
$50 the game is up" she said sullen-
ly.
eyes, my lady's maid to the nice tune
of about fourteen years." answered Mr..
Hawk.
"What does it mean?" cried Lady Hay
ward; II can't understand"
Mr.. Hawk snatched the dainty little Par
islam cap and the smooth brown wig from
Taylor's head and flung them on the floor.
In an instant the gentle girls face became
a mans, smoothe and malleable as wax. 1t
was not nice to look at just now. The
head was covered with dark, very short
growth of hair.
Lady Hayward uttered a shreak and fell
back into her chair.
Ell take him off," said Mr.. Hawk. cts
too much for her ladyship."
"Mr. Hawk! Mr.. Hawk!'' cried Lady
Hayward, ''put on his wig and take him
away as woman. I'll give you anything
anything, if you'll do that
Mr.. Hawk seemed suddenly to under
stand.
"Your ladyship may depend on me-" he
said solemnly, and put the wig and cap ON
again with the greatest solemnity.
Vernon" exclaimed Lady Hayward,
Historically, the moment the door was
shut, promise you'll keep the secret
doR't tell any one-don't tell Cecilia. Yer
non, are you brute? believe you are
laughing"
ABalloOn Experience.
From an article on Amateur Balloon
ing" in the September Century we quote
os follows: "As nearly as could be judg-
ed, was more than mile high, and all
sounds from the earth had ceased, There
was death-like silence which was simply