Iuka reporter., 1889-08-08
CHAPTER vI-Continued.

1t was about half an hour after Miss
Digby had quilted the room," continued
the witness, "and consequently about half
past eleven, suppose, when heard some
one knock on tho library door and enter
Then heard Grandfather Dixon give a
great exclamation, as if awfully astonished.
This was followed by voice speaking in
low, sad tones-a mans voice-whose
words couldn't catch; but there seemed
to be sobs and entreates mixed up with
the words. Then ] could distinguish my
old masters voice, but not what he said;
though he also seemed troubled and dis
tressed. Afterwards he seemed to grow
angry, but the other kept sad and humbe g
like. l couldn't distinguish anything the
latter said; no, not a word. No, l couldn't
recognize the voice, either. Had never
heard it before, to my knowledge"
Were none of Mr.. Dixons words audi
BILE to you?"
"Oniy few. He spoke loudly only
twice; once at the outset, directly after his
cry OF astonishment; once more at the
close of the interview"
What was the first you overheard"
Something like this: Good God! are
you risen from the dead?' That was all.
| There seemed to be some sort of explana-
| tion. after which l couldn't make out the
| words"
| What were the next words you over
heard Mr.. Dixon say?"
| 1t was just before the man went away.
l heard Grandfather Dixon stamp on the
floor, in way peculiar to him, and then
say, angrily: No, by Heaven! | can't alter
my will now, and / shan't alter it. You've
no right to expect it. after all this decep-
tion. Go away! Do Il dare to come here
again, sir. think remember the words
correctly. After that there was another
sob, or groan; then the door opened and
shut again, and then heard Grandfather
Dixon sink into his easy chair, with great
sigh, as though left to himself again.
Soon after this the dining room clock
struck twelve. 1t strikes very loud. There;
you can hear it striking now"
What did you do them"
Il dropped my book on the floor, and lay
there thinking who the man could have
been. knew it couldn't have been any
one belonging here in the house; in that
case l should certainly have recognized the
sound of the voice, indistinct though il
was. Suddenly / thought of the tramp
that Mrs. Miggles had permitted to sleep
in the wash house. At first it seemed aw-
ful unlikely; but then remembered hear
ing the tramp tell cook that he had once
lived near The Aspens, and remembered
that his voice was low and plaintive, some
thing like the one l had heard in conversa-
tion with Grandfather Dixon. Then
made up my mind to find out for myself.
first made sure that Miss Lulu was
asleep. Then took the night-lamp, and
stole out of the room. Yes, was very
much afraid at first, but 1 suppose I hac
more curiosity than fear. stole through
the upper hall, down stairs, along the bach
lower hall, through the kitchen, and ther
into the wash-room. You see, if it wa.
really him that had heard, looked te
find him awake, or at least not asleep"
We'll, well, how did you find him?"
Sound asleep on his mattress, or max
ing believe SO well as to seem just like it.
WAS his face in plain view?"
Yes; right under the lamplight, but h<
never winked an eyelid. Yes sir; he
might have been shamnling."
Did the face resemble any other thai
you haye ever seen here?"
1T was very sunburnt and dark, and al
covered with beard.
Answer the question. Was it like any
other that you have ever SEEM"
No, certainly not But you see
mean to say-that is"
The witness paused, for the first time
unaccountably Hurried and confused.