Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-07-21


isn =, ialoU un rrivpd here secretly from India,
a',' ~ Iossia M so fancifully suggested? In
ony case. | must have up announcer ooUUlo
If that Yquem and make myseli .o"-
Portable. feel as shaky as loom"
Lighting small lamp used LOT run
ming about the house, he TOOK MS way
down the cellar stairs, but sudoenly
nonsod in the middle OF the descent,
snuffing audibly. o,.,,
SNow. there's that smell OF cooking
scainls he muttered, looking startled, az
he noered into the darkness around hlm.
aSdmebody must be roasting beef at no
rroot ,Iistancel How can that odor III
sade this house so strongly? Is there
realIv an underground passage to the
lake, as reported2"
He snuffed again with increased vigo',,
continuing to investigate his surroun-o
lngs. ut ,st hovn
That hottlel I never felt more In need OF
Sracing up thoroughly Ugh! I'm
fairly wild!' aoooondod tho
Resuming progress, he descended inc
stairs and visited the wine-vault' secur'
ing the bottle he wanted, but not WIN.
mt many startled and suspicious glance
oTbe Mace must certainly be haunt
ed.n he calculated, as he began ascend
mo- the stairs al hear something NOV,
lne-footsteps-a rolling as OF murneo
thunder ,,i. .oasoins
80. n tho staircase; the door Of which
closed behind him with the double vlo-
ianra nf a. sharp draft Of air anu his
narvous haste. and the noisy jar tnus
nr6dnced was followed by an unmistaH-
ale fuster of voices.
But Just where? -, naa
Hardly knowing what he did, Radd
extinguished his lamp and tnrusC nl'
hottie of Yquem into one OF ms caPa'
cious pockets, listening with all the III
tentness of a sudden terror. ,.
aThis way, Mr.. Moreland'" suoaenly
called deep but pleasant voice. u an
awaiting the pleasure OF your compnnS
This greeting came from the olnihe
room, the door of which was opened a
This moment, allowing strong glare .
light TO fall upon the face and 1orm o
the startled plotter. /.
sWho-who are you?" he gasped, II
, undisguised bewilderment, as he stare'
at a figure seated at the table.
"Come here ard see, please.
Radd hesitated another moment, AM
then began moving slowly toward tn
, dining-room, with staring eyes an.
D fascinated air, precisely as a bird whlcl
l has been charmed by serpent ADVANCE
y toward the jaws awaiting to seize IT,.
o,.6 in
o dered the gentleman seated at the taolt
with a graceful wave OF the hanol &C
dressing some person still Invisible
o Radd. "That sudden glare OF ngf
seems to have blinded him!"
= The words had scarce been enunclatc
t when the sleek, supple figure OF wei
dressed Hindoo appeared, lamp in han'
+ at the entrance of the dining-room, an
Inclined itself with inimitable dignit
and politeness to Radd, with the word
V aWalk in, please. My master desir
the pleasure of your company TO su
s. peri"
)f Radd managed to incline his head VIII
An air of comprehension, continuing
1. advance, and in another moment W
within the dning-room, with sucn
wondering and dazed look on his Tea
r. ures that any one seeing 1t would ha
readily OWNED that it was out OF
power to utter word. :,
:" "This is really great pleasure, M
ed Moreland, said the self-constituted no.
ed as he arose briskly from the table, o.
advanced to meet Radd, whom he to
?" by the hand with graceful politeness.
was Just wishing I could have a co
panion in the repast with which
about to close the day, and here comes
,e- gentleman who does not all seem
"a stranger to social glass or to an exc
+h- lent dinner. But sit down, Mr.. MO
mo Iand--sit down."
cl. He shook Radd's hand warmly, Ct
I'D ducted him to the table, and install
ith him solicitously in the post of honor
Nv He was q man of some five-and-fol
ted wears of are with complexion that /
nd originally been forid, although his Il
mt tnres now displayed deep, dark Drol
ian which al asted that they had been
vas posed to many years of tropical s.
shine.
on His form was of medium height, bu
the finest proportions, and a sin
he glance VIC i'd have sufficed to tell
observer that he enjoyed the oesV
was health.
cen He was, indeed, so visibly the posses
V a of rare 6 ength and agility that
not men. after looking into his Keen, Q
, he ewes. would have yentured to attack h
lar- Yet his aspect was as pleasant as c.
ing manding, and no one could have
an, remained in his presence without lea
S if ing that he was one OF the most genia
men. =.
tb a He was attired with that quiet
gance and costly simplicity which
. he Indicate ii possession OF unllm
am wealth, and there were certain singul
YOU ties In his speech and manner WI
sltr attested cos opolitan experiences
ood- even suggest, that he must have pa
long years in some far country OF
was East. X,
ark "Many. many thanks" gasped III
with n wonder II glance at his host
eed. q look at the ei I'VE Hindoo servant W
had had an imprint of positive terror.
and you are very kind, sir! l mad no ;,
dedl this Is all so strange-paruoil me-
IT, He passed is hand nervously ovel
luite forehead, and it was easy 10 dlVlne
ould little more pressure OF the sort 10 "
,oled he was alrea ly subjected would c
here him to fly shrleking from the house
Q is paralyzc him entirely.
iris "You are quite excusable' sir
and tnrned the ,st, with an increase, II
ma ma sible, of his smiling. suavity. r'. %Pe
ir Of me to offer gu glass of rare East
erty, dian wine" % tho y
dian His action CORRESPONDING; L;o ~ Iins w
ly be Radd raised the eiass ~ & ms - ock,
S for hand as shaky as HIS w"