Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-09-23
CHAPTER XVII.

On the road SenOr Guffanta made
scarcely any remark, speaking only once
of the prettiness of the country they were
passing through, and once of the action
of the horse, which seemed to excite his
admiration; and then he was silent till
they reached the house, a fine old Queen
Anne mansion in excellent preservation.
He introduced himself to the house
keeper. who came forward in the hall,
and said:
II have a letter of introduction to Mr..
Smerdon; | had hoped to find him here.
Perhaps it would be as well IL gave 1t to
You instead
"As you please. sir, but it is not neces-
sary. Lord Penlyn's friends often come
here, when they are in this part of the
country. to see the house. 1t Is considered
worth going over. III you please. sir, !
will send "A servant up with your bag"
Il thank you" the Senor said with his
usual grave courtesy, but l shall not
trouble you much. dare say by to-mOr-
row / shall have seen all l want to-"
'As you please. sir"
He followed the neat-looking housemaid
to the room he was to occupy. after hav-
ing told the housekeeper that the simplest
meal in the evening would be sufficient
for him, and then, when he had made
some slight toilette, he descended to the
lower rooms of the house.
The old servant again came forward
and volunteered her services to show him
the curiosities and antiquities of the place;
but Senor Guffanta politely told her that
he would not trouble her.
Il am fond of looking at pictures" he
said, II will inspect those if you please.
But 1 am acquainted with the styles OF
different masters, 50 / do not require a
guide. If you will tell me where the pic
lures are in this house, i shall be obliged
to you"
"They are everywhere, sir" she answer
ed "In the picture gallery, the dining
room, hall and library"
Il will go through the library first, il
you please Which is that?"
The servant led the way to a large,
lofty room, with windows looking out
upon a well-kept lawn, and told him that
this was the room.
.-These pictures will not take you long,
air" she said, Its mostly books that are
here. And Mr. Smerdon generally spends
most of his time here at his accounts; !;
sometimes he passes whole days at that
desk"
She seemed inclined to be garrulous,
and Senor Guffanta, who wished to be
alone. took, at random, a book from one
of the shelves, and throwing himself into
a chair began 10 read it.
Then. saying that she would leave him
perhaps taking what he intended as q
hiht-she withdrew
When he was left alone he took no no.
tice of the pictures on the walls Cthey
were all paintings of long past days., but,
rising. went over to the desk where she
had said that Mr.. Smerdon spent hours.
There were a few papers lying about
IN 1t which he turned over, and he pulled
1t the drawers to see il they would open
but they were all locked fast.
''This room is no good to me-" he sale
70 himself. Il must try Others"
Gradually, as the day wore on, the
Senor went from apartment to apartment
b the house, inspecting each one care
fully. In the drawing room he spent q
great deal Of time, for here he had found
what, both at Occleve House and At Mr..
eupdalra house in Gsosvepof Q)ace. had