Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-18
CHAPTER IL

It was close on 10 o'clock when I awoke next morning. My long tramp of the previous day had tired me more than thought. Nevertheless was an- noyed at oversleeping myself and aston ished that Francis had not called me earlier. knew how anxious he was about the proposed meeting with his brother and fancied that his impatience would have drawn him to my room at dawn. Apparently he was less curious concerning the interview than thought. Yet, leaving him out of the question, I ought certainly to have been reused by Strent or his daughter and determined to reprove them for such neglect After all, an inn is an inn, and one has a right to attentions for which one pays. Judging from the landlords looks, did not think my bill would err on the side of cheapness
 These thoughts passed through my mind as hastily dressed myself Open- ing the window, l looked out on the marshes golden ill the sunshine. A keen wind was blowing from the sea, and the smell of brine struck into the heavy atmosphere of my bedroom. An absolute stiffness prevailed both inside and out felt as though had awakened in the spellbound palace sf the sleeping beau- ty. An inn of all places should be full of hustle and noise, but there was some thing uncanny in the silence which reigned in this marsh locked hostel It hinted trouble and felt uneasy.
 In no very good temper I descended to the dining room, with the intention of apologizing to Francis for my tardy appearance and of rating the landlord for his negligence To my astonishment, neither Francis nor any one else was to be seen, and tho room was in precisely the same condition as on the previous night The fire was unlighted, the table not set out for breakfast; even the win dow blinds were down. For the moment was sick with apprehension, as it was impossible to conjecture the reason of this neglect and absence of human life The stiffness was as absolute as had pre- vailed up stairs. and when rang the bell it echoed through the house as though mocking my efforts to summon landlord, maid or friend
 Twice thrice, I pulled the bellrope without result; then, somewhat un- nerved by the silence in which found myself, went to the back part of the premises. Here the condition of things was the same as in the dining room. The kitchen was empty, nor were there any signs of fire or of food I explored the whole of the ground floor and found nobody The conclusion forced itself upon me that Strcnt and his daughter had left the inn during the night What was the meaning of this sudden flight? What reason could be sufficient ly powerful to force them to vacate the premises? Asking myself these ques- tions, l entered room after room, but in none of them did 1 find any answer. The front door was boltcd and barred, the back entrance was in the same con- dition, and there was no key in either lock. I considered the features of the case and saw that the air was full of mystery, perhaps of-but, no; in that lonely house could not bring myself to utter the terrible word.
 knew not what had happened dur ing my sleep, but felt certain that some event had taken place. Otherwise there could be no reason for this state of things. Almost against my will | searched the house again, but could dis cover neither Strent nor his daughter Rose. was alone in tho house. But Francis-
 Francis, said l, repeating my thoughts aloud, "ayc, Francis. 1 won der if he has left tho inn also or whether he has overslept himself and is still in his room" To make sure I went up stairs to his bedroom Pray observe that all this time I had not connected these things with crime. It Is true had a I faint suspicion that there might possibly be some foul play, but as there was noth- ing to confirm such belief abandoned the idea l declare that when knocked at the door of Briarfeld's room had no more idea of the horrible truth than the babe unborn. My premonitions pointed to mystery. but not to murder. | Yet from the conversation of the previ. ous night I might have guessed what had happened. The house was as ac, cursed as tho palace of the Artidn. and Alto bidcd on the threshold stone
 Not until 1 had thrice knocked with. out receiving any answer did my sus' picions begin to form. Then they took shape in an instant. tried tho door. It was locked Tho ominous silence still hinted at unspeakablc horrors. My knocking echoed jarringly through tho stiffness. At that moment there flashed before my eyes the picture of two fig urcs flying across a red horizon against which blackencd the beams of a gal lows. It was the shadow of the future I knocked, called his name, and finally in desperation at the continued silence set my shoulder against the crazy door It yielded with n tearing sound, and entered the room amid cloud of fin, | dust
 He was lying on the bed stiff and cold had no need to call, to touch his shoul der, to place my hand on his heart. H. was dead. With tho clothes drawn ul smoothly to his chin lay the man witt whom l had conversed the previou night The right arm lay outside tn counterpane On tho hand glistened pearl ring looked at that bauble
 glanced at the waxcn face Tho matte was beyond all doubt Francis Briar field was dead.
 Before l could further examine tn body or the room l was forced to rul for my brandy flask. For tho moment
 was deadly sick, and 1t needed a lonl draft of the fiery spirit to speed the sta., hating blood through my veins. Tn strange circumstance was a sufflcien apology for such qualmishness. Thi lonely inn set on handbreadth of liv ing ground amid quaking bogs. thi dead body of what had once been friend. this solitude by which l foun' myself environcd, these were sufficien to shake the strongest nerve It look in a manner prosaic on black and white
 but think of the horror of the actual ex periencc
 For the moment could formulate n
 ideas on the subject That my frien | shonld Inc dpai WAS sufficient to stu