Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-04-13

the abode of one who certainly possessed
wealth.. and who had Travelled a great
deal. for every foot of space seemed to
have some valuable ornament, painting
or bit of bric-a-brac, such as man OF
taste and unlimited means would pick up
during years spent abroad.
"Up-stairs, Doctor" said the dctccuVe'
/ followed on.
My feet sank into the softest OF Per
sian carpets upon the stairs l was
puzzling my brain to determine the ma
ture of the peculiar Eastern odor thaC
seemed to steal so softly upon ones
senses. and could imagine myself once
more in an Oriental house with a TURK
ish host.
Mr.. Ketcham opened door and stood
there to allow me to enter first
The chamber was apparently Oed'
room. though the curtains and drapcries
hung around hid the bed and bewlldered
me at first.
A soft light was diffuscd through the
apartment by lamp of strange con-
struction, that stood upon a table, inc
/ legs Of which were made OF long elc-
phan5S tuskS.
Around me. were thousand things
marking the tastes of the man VINO hau
fitted the room up.
These did not draw my attentloh HO"
beyond sweeping glance.
turned to Mr.. Kctcham, who had 81
lently entered the room, closing the door'
and stood beside me.
"You are wondering why l brought
YOU here, DoctOr?"
81 admit it. sir"
"Beforc we go any further | wish to
say few words. In my experience you
can well understand | have seen some
strange things, many of which bOrderco
on the impossible, and yet, Doctor can
solemnly assure you, that in this room
have come across ono, which, all things
considered, promises to be the most pro
found mystery that has ever crossed my
path. "
started at his words.
Their impreSsiveness lent a new inter
est to the affair
The lamp fickered, as light draugh'
from an open window struck It, 49,,
took a step in that direction, VIII
the intention of closing the window, but
comprehending my intention, the de-
tective laid hand on my arm.
oLeayc it open, Doctor. l have
reason for such thing. 1t affords me
clue to the crime.
Crimel
Then some evil deed had been done
murder perhaps!
set nv sachels down, ready for busi
moss when the detective chose to act
He dropped into chair.
"Turn the lamp up, Doctor.
Iexamined the remarkable lamp, tha
certainly had been imported, for It's lik
had never been seen in this country DC
fore. and finding out that touch on
little silver ball was all that was neces
sary, soon accomplished his desire.
"Now, please step over to the be
, wonder. and quietly draw back the cul
) tain"
His voice was calm, but could deteC
!. an undercurrent of excitement III IL
T something l had never imagined man
his iron nerve and infexible purpose
a. lowed himself to indulge in.
NV thoughts were running riot as l az
n vanced toward the tapestries that serve
d as curtains to the bed.
What was about to meet my eyes?
G Was there a horrible sight presente
:. behind that screen?
- The rich Oriental figure OF the tape
v try to my excited gaze seemed TO D
come a writhing mass of silver and go
U serpents twining about each other, al
the rustling of the autumn-tinted leaV
outside the open window resolved 1tse
Il into their Kissing
~ With an effort of my will laid ho
upon the curtain. =,
D. "Draw it back, Doctor" SAID NJ
Ketcham, quietly.
| did So
,r The curtain was hung upon rings tn
70 glided along silver rod attached to t
TO side of the canopy overhead, for the be
l. although massive and richly carved, W
of an antique pattern.
It was occupied.
Id Upon the pillow rested the head OF
m elderly man, with a snow-whlte oea
and grand face, which seemed stamp
with the seal of death.
a. In that minute of silence felt that
could hear the beating of my hea
while the ticking of the little orm'
clock upon the ebony secretary in c
OF corner of the chamber sounded as
f. pounding of great hammer.
For a short space of time l gazed
81 most in stupefactiOn at the face OF
ne dead. /,
" Then. breaking from the spell Il
i, had come upon me, started back W
f. low cry.
b be Mr.. Ketcham sat there by the tat
his hand toying with a paper cutter
the form of dagger, and his eyes hx
not on me, but upon a certain spot VI
at the ceiling.
to This was a favorite attitude OF
and he assumed it generally when cr(
questioning a man.
,aI Then, again, he had a way OF orr
ing those keen orbs of his suddenly
no bear upon the face of the party oppo'
nc him. and at such times they seemed
nv blaze and pierce into the very soul,
~ though he strove to read ones though
nd Controlling myself as well as
on able under the peculiar circumstance
for the case, / walked toward the taOle
quietly sat down in chair that seei
on to invite occupancy.
y" @Doctor. YOU are surprised?" he 81
ed at last. coolly, as he turned his head
nv looked at me with smile.
est might have denied the soft lmpe'
If ment, but of what avail? =,
"Mr. Ketcham, admit it, l am
at surprised and mystified."
IN @You are no worse OIL than myS
ch Remember what l told you. There
ras strange marvel here that will req
rt. much hard work to solve it,"
"Wil you throw some llght upon
to sub;ect-why am brought hereT
"All in good time, Doctor. you y