Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-09-16

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"There," said the squire admiringly;
"see how quickly you get at it. Ishould
never have thought Of such mode Of
proceeding. You are right, too, as to
your first conjecture. Marvel is high
spirited, and I should not be surprised
If he surrenders as soon as he learns
that he is wanted. That is why have
been worried by his disappearance. But
here we are at the farm"
The house was an elegant frame
building Of the Queen Anne style Of
architecture. The grounds were Oh the
south side of the road, SO that the dwell
ing faced the north. 1t was recessed
about 30 feet from picket fence, and
the party entered through neat, paint
ed gate, brick paved walk leading
them up to the main door. This was
standing invitingly open. Squire Olney
seemed entirely at home, for he led the
way straight in without the formality
Of using the great brass lions paw
which served as knocker. This bold
entry was not destined to go unresent-
cd, however, for huge mastif appear
ed, coming from an inner room, and
growled ominously. At word from
tho squire the dog assumed less hos
tile demeanor and prowled about the
party, shifting at their persons as
though to make their acquaintance.
When he reached Lewis, who was the
last to enter, he raised himself up on
his hind legs, and, planting his fore
paws on his breast, tried to lick him on
the face. Lewis resented the animals
familiarity and seemed much annoyed
as he brusquely pushed him down with
al exclamation Of impatience.
"Why, Mr.. Lewis" said the squire,
1.-THE dog acts as though he knows you.
Can 1t be possible that he remembers
your l know that your father brought
him here when he first came, but that
Is years ago, and he was mere puppy
then."
II remember him we'll enough now,
but doubt if his recollection spans the
interval between now and the time
when gave him bread and milk in his
puppy days. I receive that kind of at
tention from nearly all dogs. Some Of
the fercest have favored mo at sight.
Once at bench show in London I bet
that could pat the head Of any dog
there. I won the wager, though the
animal selected was ferocious looking
bulldog, over whose kennel was con-
splcuously displayed the warning pla-
card: Dangerous Do not handle
They say that dog knows friend in
stinctivcly, and am certainly friend
of the canine species, ranking dogs next
to human beings But let us seek my
father. am anxious to meet him.
"Well, come In here" said the
squire, leading tho way into q room OH
the left Of the hall "This is the parlor.
Remain here while hunt up Lewis"
The squire had barely passed the
doorway when ho uttered a cry of alarm
and hurried across the room. His COM
panions fastened after him and beheld
the prostrate form of man lying upon
the rug In front Of the fireplace. Tho
squire leaned over the body for mo-
mcnt and then jumped up, with horror
depicted Oh every feature.
"There has been terrible accident, "
said he. MY friend Lewis is here,
deadP'
The others pressed forward. They saw
the motionless body Of a man. He lay
on his side, with his head near the fire.
place, in which were the remains Of u
log fire. This fire must have been a hot
one, as the face Of the dead man, which
had beon covered in life with a heavy
beard, was now scarcely more than
mass of charrcd flesh and therefore en-
tirely unrecognizable. In spots there re-
NAMED the burned stubs Of the hair on
the face and more Oh the head, but in
many places 1t was burned entirely
away, exposing the flesh, blackened
human charcoal.
Lewis gazed in a dazed and semi
conscious way at the awful sight and
IN low, hoarse whisper asked:
"Is this my father?"
The squire started at the question,
and at once realized all the horror of
the situation. He did not reply, but
beokoned to the two detectives to follow
him and quietly left the room. Accom-
panied by them, he led the way across
the hall into the library, and then re-
peated what he had exclaimed at first
sight Of the body-that it was that OF
John Lewis, in whose interest they had
come to the house.
But" continued he, II cannot un-
derstand how it Is that we find him
dead and in such position. 1t looks
II
plexy. How terrible that he should have
fallen into the fire and have been SO
dreadfully disfguredl'
"Did you ever fancy that your friend
had any physical ailment of the kind?"
asked Mr.. Barnes.
"Why, no. always considered him
the stoutest, heartiest man Of my ac-
quaintance.
"Is it not singular, then, that he
should be taken away SO suddenly US
this?"
NOW that you suggest the idea, it
does seem SO. The whole thing has been
so startling and SO unexpected that
have not collected my thoughts suffi-
ciently to analyze the situation. find
my friend dead ON the floor of his own
house after having seen him alive and
we'll only last evening, and I suppose /
have adopted the first theory which pre-
sented ITSELF
"You say you saw your friend last
EVENING"" asked Mr.. Barnes in quiet
voice, keeping his eyes steadily fixed on
the squire.
Something in his tone or in his man
ner of asking the question attracted the
squire, and he turned and faced his in
terrogator as be replied:
tVoc -