The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-12-30

prcthoi, v 10 mas come ne'e 10 see MN,
and Is now awaiting his iotrrn, fear
ing TO aga.u miss him If he returns to
Br0ss."
Flow was ii they did rct-meet in
the Cestclla Pass" he asked,
"Sir Richard Spencer, The brother,
you know" said the manager, smiling,
and rubbing his nose, came down the
Cestella Pass only as far as HameVs
Peak, and then climbed UP to the Eer-
tellia and came over the rest of The
way on that path; while he expects
Captain SpenGer must have continued
along the Cestella Pass"
Captain spender has met with an
accident. Inform Sir Richard OF the
fact and ask him to come to me-"
With an exclamation c. horror, the
manager hurried from the room, to re-
turn moment later. followed by a tall,
handsome man of between 35 and 40;
Sir Richard Sperder.
"What is this?' he asked quickly.
Where is my bother? What is the
nature of the acoideat?"
Il am sorry to be the bearer of such
i'll news" Canning said, gently, cycling
the baIonet keenly as he spoke. Il
set out along the Cesteda Pass this
morning on my way to Brass. when
cane across, some five miles along the
lower path, the body of Captain Spen-
der. He was dead
Sir Richard flung himself into a
chair and buried his face in his hands,
in which position be rens.ned wrapped
in grief for some minutes. In the
meantime Canning called together
rescuing party. and, in company with
the bereaved brother, SET out once more
for the pass.
Three hours later the body Of Cap
hotel afforded, while Sir Richard, who
had recoves ed most Of his usual calm
ness, sat in conversation with Canning
and DR.. Sherman, another visitor at
the hotel, in the smcMng-room.
Can you oblige me with match?"
Canning asked, quietly. Thank you
Canning opened Sir Richards match
box clumsily, upsetting all the matches
upon the table. AS he gathered them
together he noticed they we're all of the
same length, similar to the last two I'M
burnt matches he had picked up that
morning along the pass, and as differ
ent from those in Captain Spender's
pocket as two vestas could well be.
He struck one and then found to
his ostensible surprise that his pipe
had burnt out, ard that he had no
pouch upon him. Seeing him tumble
at his pockets, and guessing the rea-
son, DR.. Sherman offered him a cigar.
mo, thanks: / never smoke cigars.
But I'll have fill from your pouch, if
l may, Sir Richard?" he said, taking
up the baronet's pouch from the table.
by all means. Have another bran
dy."
The brandy Canning declined, but he
filed his pipe from the baronet's pouch
and settled down to enjoy the smoke.
He watched with unconcealed interest
Sir Richard empty his pipe to refill 1t
when the pouch had been handed back,
with thanks With a careless move
ment Canning drew the ash tray to him
and examined the still smoking pipe
fill end for some moments. Then,
throwing himself back in his chair
once more, he fixed his eyes sternly
upon the baronet's face ana said, in a
quiet, low tone:
Il pointed out to you this morning
| the exact spot where your brother met
his death. 1t was some two miles this
side of Hamel's Peak. where. l under
stand, you turned out of the Cestella
Pass. Is that correct?"
That's so, but it's very strange"
said Canning.
In what way?"
EN- SO much that could almost
swear that you met your brother this
morning tpr miles along the pass,
| talking with hiE, smoking with him,
and -"
But he e!d not finish. Sir Richard
sprang up fren his seat and glared
| down at him in passion of anger and
| scorn.
you ale probably unacquainted
with the usages Of polite society. and
may, tnare-ufe. be ignorant that it is
| insulting 10 doubt sentleman's word,
especially oithout any excuse or rea-
son."
LET me explain. Here is your
brothers matchbox Look at the
matches" said Canning, but again Sir
Richard interrupted him.
Il decline to discuss the matter with
you," he said sternly.
I'm sure said Canning, sweetly.
that had ne intention of hurting
susceptibilities. / made no imputa-
TONS"
This is your brothers match box,
Sir Richard" he said. handing it over.
Il took it from his pocket, thinking it
might be stolen and 1t has an impor-
tant bearing upon the accident. You
see the matches! They are quite un-
like your matches, Ell? Well, this
morning picked up on the upper path
twenty yards from where your brother
met his death, this match"
yes, one OF my brothers, evident.
ly."
Certainly. And these two matches,
which found fifty yards further along
whose ere these? Are they not mar
velouais like those in the box you have
In your pocket at this Tnoment?"
Sir Richard turned pale in silent
acknowledgment OF the fact, and look
ed first at Canning and then at DR..
Sherman, as IL calculating their
strength and his chances of beating
them.
Another queer point" said Canning,
smiling an Icy smile, sis this end of a
pipe-fill which found where discov-
cred the matches 80 like your own.
Note, your brother had only straight
cut Turkish tobacco for cigarettes in
his pouch, and carried no pipe, while
this coarse-cut Cavepdish, exactly SIM
liar to that which is in your pouch and