The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-04-22

e&gpsl i0adersa owes these uFio1s
facts In their sequence, uNAbie % ei1l-
hate the deep mystery underlying
them. After a dismal, sleepless night,
haunted by nameless, spectral fear,
the ray Of sunshine brought back hope
and banished despair. found myself
at last rejecting that, after all, Dudley
had expired suddenly from cause to
which any Of US might be liable, and
1t was probable that had been scent
ing mystery and tragedy where there
were none.
rose and actually smiled at tho
weird and horrible nature of the
thoughts that throughout the wearying
night had held me spellbound in indie
scribable dread and terror.
When at noon. in accordance with
the urgent and strangely worded tele-
gram l had received from the Earl Of
Warnham, alighted at Horsham sta
ton, in Sussex, found one Of the car
riages from the Hall awaiting me. AS
l entered it was followed by man
knew NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Fray
ling, chief of the Criminal Investiga-
ton Department at Scotland Yard,
who had apparently travelled down by
the same train from Victoria.
Greeting me, he took the place be-
side me, and a moment later the foot
man sprang upon the box and We
sped away toward the open country.
To my question as to his business
with the Earl, he made an evasive re-
ply, merely stating that he had re-
ceived telegram requesting an i'm
mediate interview.
This summons is rather unusual"
he added, smiling Has anything
serious occurred, do you know"
Not that I'm aware of. Perhaps
there's been burglary at the Hall?"
l suggested.
Hardly that, l think" he replied
with knowing look, stroking his
pointed brown beard. of burglars
had visited the place he would have
asked for clever officer or two, not
for a personal interview with me-"
With this view l was compelled to
agree, then, lighting cigarettes, we
sat back calmly contemplating the
beautiful, fertile country through
which we we're driving. The road,
leaving the quaint old town, descend
ed sharply for short distance, then
wound uphill through cornfelds lined
by high hedges Of hawthorne and
holly. Past quaint old watermill we
skirted Warnham Pond, wherein
Shelley in his youthful days sailed
paper boats, then half mile further
entered the handsome lodge gates OF
Warnham Park. Through nne ave
nue., with broad sweep Of park or
either side, we'll stocked with deer
emus and many geological specimens
We assembled until at last, after ne.
gotiating the long winding drive in
| front Of the Hail. the carriage pulled
up with sudden jerk before it,
| handsome porllcO.
AS 1 alighted old Stanford, the
white-haired butler, came forward
hurriedly, saying:
His Lordship is in the library
1 awaiting you, sir. He told me to brini
you to him the moment you arrived.
Very WELL" said. and the aged re
tainer, leading the way along spa
cious but rather cherries corridor
stopped before the door of the grea
library, and throwing 1t suddenl
open, announced me.
"At last, Deedes." l heard the Ear
e1claim in tone that showed him I,
be in no amiable mood; and as enter
ed the long handsome chamber, line,
from floor to ceiling with books, di,
not at first notice him until he ros
slowly from large writing table, be
hind which he had been hidden Hi
face, usually wizened and pale, wa
absolutely bloodless. Its appearance
startled me.
II wired last night, and expecte,
you by the 9:18 this morning. VIII,
did you not Gomez" was his first ques
ton, uttered in sharp tone Of annoy
ance.
THE sudden death of a frien
caused me to lose the train intende
to CATCH" explained.
| DEATH" he snapped, in the name
| na6 +N
the death of friend any accoun
when the interests OF our country ar
at stake? On the night my wife wa
dying l was compelled to leave he
bedside to travel to Balmoral to hav
audience Of Her Majesty regarding
document had sent for the royal as
sent. When l returned Lady War;
ham had been dead fourteen hour
In the successful diplomat there mus
be no sentiment-none."
1.-THE FIVE minutes l lost when
discovered my friend dead caused N
to miss my train from Staines I
London" L explained.
But you received my telegram, an
should have strictly regarded its Vi
gency," he answered. with an air {
extreme dissatisfaction. 1.-THE fact G
Its being in cipher was sufficient I
show its Importance"
Il was out dining, and my ma
brought it along to me-" said.
why did he do sol" he INQUIRE
quickly.
Because he thought It might b
urgent"
did he open it,"
mo. Even il he had It was in C,
pher."
rs your man absolutely trus,
worthy" he asked.
HE has been in tae service Of m
family for fifteen years. He was m
fathers valet at Tho Hague"
rs his name Juckes?" he inQuir
ed.
yes"
"Ah. know him. He is absolutel
trustworthy; most excellent man."
The Earl's manner surprised me
His face. usually calm, Sphinx-lik
and expressioniess. b .trayed the mos