Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-10-17
Continued.

They say it is haunted. Even the
owner never comes, but l fancy it is
not ghosts, but spectres of sorrow
that keep him away"
'TVell, it is gloomy enough for any
thiug," Frank exclaimed, as they
refined in their horses, and gazed at
the wreck of what had once been a
noble pile of masonry. Il must con-
TESS [ think Godfrey has fallen on the
wrong track this time, for even
bI rglars would shun it; and suppos-
ing they did think Of it as hiding
place, what part could they choose
1t is all so exposed"
Row gazed round with a strange
thrill at his heart. The vision OF
Aiices sweet. face, with the wondrous
eyes and trembling lips, rose before
him, and seemed to plead for help.
Meredith must be right; she had
not wronged him, her husband. She
was wronged herself perhaps in dan
ger.
He turned hurriedly to Frank, with
his face white to the lips.
Something tells me here, he said
in a low voice, that you are in the
right. [ have a vague presentiment
that she is in danger. What shall we
do9 1t is terrible to think of.
LET us ride round to the other
side" Frank said soothingly.
They moved on over the thick grass
and weeds, and glanced from side to
side. but nothing met their gaze save
desolation and decay.
Suddenly, with an exclamation,
Frank slipped from his horse, and
picked up something that lay on the
grass.
What is it?" exclaimed Roy, alert
at once.
GA sovereign!" Frank held it up.
'"That proves conclusively that some
one has been here. Of course it may
be stray visitor, and not the men wei
chased; yet you say no person ever
comes here
so the tradition runs answered
Roy, taking the gold coin, flush
mounting to his cheek. "This looks
like clue, Mr.. Meredith
@'It does indeed" Frank handed his
rem to the earl, and peered about.
81 can see no hole or corner even
where they could hide" he said, after
a few minutes search. Shall we re-
turn?"
''It is useless staying longer Roy
seid with disappointment. Then his
brow cleared. 1--WE will come tonight
and watch. What do you say?"
can excellent plan. By then Geof-
FREY will have brought the detec-
tives."
He mounted his horse again, and
they rode slowly back to the path.
81 suppose it is the animal instinct
within me-" Frank said suddenly,
but feel convinced that the robbery
at the castle and attempted robbery
last night at the Grange were all one
plot, and : strongly suspect that for
eign count is in it, Lord Darrell"
"It seems incredible" began Roy.
Then he stopped. "Who are these
men coming towards us?" he added
hurriedly.
Frank looked for an instant, then
with an exclamation spurred his
horse on.
cit is Godfrey and the detectives.
How quick he has been!"
The earl drew rein and waited till
the riding party approached him.
Godfrey Armistead he knew; but the
tall white-haired stranger on his left
he did not, nor the three others who
rode behind.
You have travelled on wings,
Godfrey" exclaimed Frank Meredith,
shaking his friends hand.
81 did not go to sleep, certainly
returned Mr.. Armistead, greeting the
earl. land I have worked to some good,
toe Frank, our suspicious were cor
rect. There is a gang of the most no
torious burglars somewhere about
here. have brought down Mr.. New
ton, the celebrated detective, who has
long been seeking their whereabouts"
They've fairly puzzled me- spoke
a keen-faced man from the three be-
hind; "but think we have got them
now"
''But let me introduce you, Lord
Darrell, to an old friend, Sir Hum
phrey Durant, whom I have met
abroad many times and whose name,
doubtless, is familiar to you," added
Armistead.
Roy grasped the hand the white
haired stranger held out.
"It is a name I have heard all my
life. Welcome back once more to
your own, Sir Humphrey! My mo-
ther will be glad to see you again"
Thanks, Lord DARRELL" answered
Sir Humphrey quietly. Life is very
strange indeed. I was travelling to
Nestley as quickly as trains would
bring me, when chance flung into my
path my friend, Mr. Armistead. From
him learned of the robbery at the
castle, the attempted robbery at the
Grange, and the suspicion that the
burglars had taken refuge in the alb
hey ruins, my inheritance. Mr.. Arm
istead's only fear was that the abbey
offered them actually no protection,
but I have informed him of the truth