New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-16

doing replied somewhat nettlcd Mr. Bagot
and shall of course put our heads together. We
Why are you here. Fred? What were you doing
in the billiardroom the night before last What
were you doing in the east wing last night when
You set the house on fire ?'
His jaw fell. ! saw the perspiratlon start out
and stand cleaning on his forehead and | knew
Notwithstanding his hasty denials. that my chance
sCs had G and s b" ppsa, wS to s',sp his
did not set the house on fire. But why have you
made n secret of the fact that your father was
butler here in old Mr.. Bagots tlme?'
Nv turn again He stood silent. disconnected,
doubtful how much knew: how much il would
be safe for him to deny. Do you not think you
had better be candid my man, and tell me your
secret" said.
lie recovered himself "No, sir, think not
he replied grimly.
Going back to the house after this, came. as
crossed the courtyard upon Bagot and Father
Glyn They were standing outside the shattered
empty easements of the kitchen, looking IN AT the
mischief done by the fire. and joined them The
bare smoke ned walls seemed dreary enough
after the sunshine and trees but the stone fioor OF
the room-fraditon said it had once been the
banquetng -hall-was chaos itself Uttered foot
deep with plaster and rubbish. fragments OF half
burned furniture and charrcd beams which had
fallen from the chimney piece Pots and pans
lay about, and pools Of water stood among the
debris
Dear dear' cried the priest; what sad
sight
Particularly in Kitchen" ] suggested cheer
fully. Bagot stood between us, leaning his elbows
on the sill and looking in.
Very true. Yet | have seen rs SAD sight IN
this room before rcioined the father; "a very
sad sight. II was in your fathers lifetime, Delves
His butler died suddenly suppose II is the sight
of this room brings IT. so freshly 10 my NINA 10
day. for he was found dead here. in that corner,
when the servants came down one morning.
lie spoke slowly and thoughtfully. searching his
memory, as old men will: and he had clean for
gotten his recognition Of Aston the day before. as
ola me
slightly to if agot noticed the lapse and then
forgot it all Beyond him, at the neat case
nent stood Fred. apparently looking In idly
people had been doing all day. and we were
doing now but really. or so | suspected, listening
to us. "You were living here, then. Father Glyn?'
said. suddenly minded 10 pursue the subject
Neither of my companions had seen our new
Heighbor
Yes They brought me TO him at once 70
see if there was any life In him. An, me. In
the midst of life. You know the rest, my
children" And the old gentleman crossed him.
self and muttered piously " 1t was sad thing
and strange, too
If my own curiosity had not led me 70 question
him further Freds face. upon which was able
10 keep watch without attracting his notice would
have induced me TO do II was strangely pale
| thought. and his lips were pressed together; lie
was gazing into the empty room. and seemed I'M
conscious Of our presence but knew by some in
siinct that his every sense was on the alert
that he was not losing word What was the
cause of death. Father Glyn?' / said careesslS
strange about it,
lie died of heart-complaint. There moth
ing strange in that" the priest explained. 1t
was what he had been doing was strange
And what was that p
Well. replied the priest.in his slow .medtative
way, there were people who said he had been dig
ging his own grave.
Good gracious In that corner?' I cried,
startled.
Yes Some said that il was a penance. and
some that lie had had a warning. lie had GER
f.lt tod pf
scraped ont little earth. just as il might be that
rubbish there now. He was lying dead and cold
by the side of it. with the tool IN his hand Doubt
less he was out Of his mind.
| stole look at Fred His eyes met mine.
His face was vd ! stood silent moment. dur
inc which my mind was working as fast as AZ any
time in my life Then called 10 Fred. " Fred
| said. would you fetch the key of the kitchen
for me? wilkins has it,
He seemed to hesitate Perhaps he had not
heard clearly But IN the end lie SAID les, Sir,
and walked away.
Bagot became aware Of the servant for the first
time What OF earth do you want 10 20 inside
for p" lie asked disconientedly. Cannot you see
all YOU want to from here p
a whm. mere within. my dear fellow. ]
answered And | waited with patience until
Fred after rather long interval. returned
Wilkins says he cannot find the KEY sir, he
reported. lie thinks Mr.. Walton, who has gone
TO the magistrates meeting, has taken 1t w'D
him"
All. Then please 10 reach me that chair
1
a. usual. in the courtyard not far from US.
While he was bringing one took OF my coat
What are YOU going 10 do now :? Nagoi asked
Get in through tie window, ! answered
suitinx the action 10 the word and boldly step
png from the chair to the sill. where stood
clinsing to the pcIpcndicular bars But there
came to full stop struggle as would. STUCK
fast between them. while the priest clutchei ore
of my ankles. and affect lOnately begged me 10 lie
careful. and Deyes proddcd my calves with tie
point OF his stick, and cried that MIS- LineaEd was
Well am trihc stout. | cannot say like
To BE- found by the enemy in ridiculous position
| was on the point Of stepping back. when turning
- see # the alarm were well founded. cau-ht
SIGHT of Frcd's face II expressed no amusement,
bat great deal of grim. silent interest Don't
DclVes. | gasped. nerycd by the sight 10 last
effort; which proved successful. was u'"n
and my coat on. when the Lingards reached the
window They chose to bc funny. compored me
to a bear in a pit. and Madame thrw me a nall
of paper 10y way of bun but cared nothing
for their ridiculc now. ! picked my way over the
rubbish 10 the far corner of the kitchen. Here
,hc ire had probably begun. for the wall, and
ceiling were completely ruined. and quite pie Of
dchrs-thc same Ia which Eatlrr nlNn had
poinicd-lay here more of II, had thought. Look
Ing from the window. than was natural was
stopping over this. amid NollcN OF questions,
when the voice OF newcomer caused NE To look
Got through the window. did he ," the Squire
was saving Why Brett. what are YOU mp 10?
Why did you not send for the KEY wilkins
Not he" | answered. lie sent word that
YOU had it. u
Il? Certainly not And thcreupon Walton. anN.
ions | fancy. 10 show how light and slight and
springy he still was stepped on 10 the sill. and in
tNc seconds stood beside me. Ragot. Father Gyn
and Mrs lingard remained NJ one Of TIC low
wide Elizabcthan windows. Llngari and Tie
want M the other. Frcd's face 2lared in az me-
pale pinchcd. mcnacing-the index 10 the stua
ton or | was much mistaken.
kicked aside two or three pieces of charrcd
wood Look here" | said 10 Walton; how
docs this earth come here >"
Earth? Why, 81 il is" he exclaimed. stoop-
ing down. Perhaps some tried 70 put
out the fire with it before came on the scene"
Not likely" | said looked about for tool
with which to carry on my researches. ! picked
up saucepan Al last, and with il srraped away
some of the rubbish. The Squire asked qucs-
tons hut | paid no heed Ia them until found
what | wanted. and what | had looked 10 find
Then stood up, and made sign to Frcd-a sign
Imperative Fred | cried. come in here
nlensc, And Racnt | continued. turning %