The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-26

not a landlord or agent. and cas- no enemies
Il did not see at first what il had TO do with
him. any more than you can yet. Let me 60
| on with the history OF our drive, ana perhaps
| things will appear to you in the same light
that they do 10 u.s. | need not tell you that
had utterly forgotten, when drove up TO the
house. that Lady Denby always sees, or fan
cies she sees. the apparition OF black coach
before the death OF any member OF the family.
Her shrek, Charlie is dead as soon as she
saw our harmless vehicle. for moment per-
fectly bewidered me. Then like flash
connected the fact that he was not with you,
his on-appearonce at the station, the incl
dent of the gray cob and the supposed
drunken man in Bridget Maguires cart into
one chain of events. and signed to you TO
come with us. Ii was no use speaking 70
Lady DENLY in her fainting condition: SIR
John would have had out the police, and that
would have meant" he hesltated.
"A bullet through Charles brain before
the morning." | ended for him.
Just that"
"What do you think | may be able to ac-
complish:" | asked doubtfully.
First walk straight into the ruined hall; it
is impossible tot imagine a moro startling APP
partition than you will make in that dress. it
Is just the costume popularity supposed TO be
worn by the Good People of whom the bad
ones here are mortally afraid"
Really? thought that even children had
given up belief in fairies'"
Perhaps, but superstition Is an influence on
which you may safely reckon in dealing with
the Maguires. Haven't known them all my
life? Walk straight in among them, as tell
you, bid them lay Willet nine yards from the
houfe door. say their prayers and watch what
will happen. Then blow this whistle. Barnes
and Trefusis and | will come ard carry him
through this passage 10 the coach"
What shall / do if they see am only wo-
mani"
DO? Tell them there'll be no inquiry
about the accident And thank them fox their
kind care Of your-brother-if you like"
stood still and looked at Fred for mo-
ment in blank amazement at his sudden and
tremendous development Of genius for
Barnes and Trefusis pulled up short behind
us. and both inquired anxiously: What's the
matter"
Just an Englshwoman's scruple at telling
white lie TO save mans life," said Gray
ham Indignantly.
why, all's fair in love and war" said Ire
fusis oracularly. speaking for the first time.
We've known your engagement for three
days. so excuse our plain English. II II hadn't
been you we should have been Wild with VIII
let for settling down so soon
The boys naive speech produced an ire
pressible chuckle, deity converted into
cough from Grnyham.
You've this in your favor. too" he contin-
ued its Fallat fair night and so most likely
the Mcguire boys will be the other side OF the
country. You know we fellows would go for
you II we could, but two of Us are landlords.
two worse still. are military Folks might
know us through this thin disguise, and 1t
would be all up with Willet."
Its my belief he WAS attacked in mistake
for the Grandby's new agent but you need
not let out You know that"
"As if IshOuld.n / cried.
Vail al nh
yourself with" and be pronounced some word
that sounded like observation-disclosures"
II picked il up by accident" continued Gray
ham. but it once passed me through very
suspicious-looking assembly IN safety IL
merely means the marsh of the mallows,'
but they attach some hidden meaning TO it,
though do not think it an ordinary pass
word. l expect old Bridget is friendly to
Willet. / remember his giving rare good
fshing-rod to one Of her poaching sons. See,
here we are at the end of the passage"
The place now began 10 narrow as 1t had
done at the opposite entrance it was only
possible, by lying fiat, TO push ones self out
through the aperture in which it ended.
A high clump Of brambles outside entirely
concealed it from observation. Grayham first
worked hi. way ont into the fresh air and
moonlight and taking my hands, pulled me
formed the threshold Of this strange place.
1t was relief to stand once more under the
open sky.
Twenty yards In front Of us lay Fairy Hall,
a grand, though arunOus mass, sleeping quiet
iy as some enchanted palace in the moonlight.
No CLEAN was visible from the windows no
sound reached Us but the lap lap OF waves on
the rocks below.
Go in md win the quicker you are the
better-wh.tle once If you want US, b fetch
Willet-twice if there. any danger, and we'll
be with You sharp" whispered my guide. as
stepped from the sheltering bush into the
open.
| ran down the gentle slope to the hall
without encountering soul. As | approached
the door, rod setter so we'll bred that | felt
q passing wonder at his belonging 10 peasants.
came ont and snufcd at my dress, evidently
debating whether he should bark or not. |
patted his head while he was hesitsting and
secured dumb friend. as he licked my hand
and accompanied me inside with grave polite
ness.
The door was not latched and | passed
without let or hindIance into q large hall lit
by one Of those common paraffin lamps that
are all chimney, with nothing TO soften their
cruel glare. An old woman in white cap
was seated with her back TO me, opposite its
rays.
Obscurity, and an aroma ofpeat smoke. so
delicious ont Of doors so detestible in. per-
vaded the rest of the hall. which | could per-
ceive had once been the entrance of very
noble house. some blackened pictures still
hung on the walls fowls were roosting in
their rotting frames, and by few sleepy
croaks as passed beneath them. drew my
attention 10 the present mean uses of the art
OF former generations. There was no sign Of
CHARLES presence.
As i advanced toward the old woman who
seemed 10 he either dead or asleep. | remem-
bered Fred Grayham'. assurance. Of her prob
able faith in the supernatural, and catching
hold Of the tip. Of my falling sleeves, whose
lining, Of very pale green satin, appeared
white by the glare Of the lamp. | raised them
high above my head, as If they had been
wings, and bore down on the old dame like 4
ship in full sail crying ss shrilly as ! could,
Take me 10 him quickly"
The woman fell on her knees before me,
and began 10 mutter some prayers in Latin.
Act. and tell your beads when am gone,
quick, quick" | repeated. loosng the string
of shells from my neck and placing IL in her
hand. feeling sure from their rarity that they
would seem to her token from another
world. Then seeing the setter make toward
door on tho left, caught up the lamp and
followed him.
Bridget tOttered after. muttering:
Maybe they're the devils beads-which Of
the Saints would be consuming herself wild a
Protestant? And the Good Folks are known
to dwell here"
"A Protestant! | shall see him in min
ute. thought. with my heart almost stand
ing still, and then beating painfully with
anxiety as / entered the long bare room hav.
ing heap Of turf at the far end. on which Law
Charlie Willet black cloak thrown over him