The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1899-09-01

he was making Sualght Tor mere, no
explained. 81 saw him before me over
the fields not ten minutes ago, and I'll
swear hardly lost sight OF him. He
must be In the house; there isn't an
other place this way-not even a shave
OF wood to hide him-and Smith and
Varley would have stopped him further
down. He must be in the house."
Maybe, We can ask" retorted the
damsel indifferently, reaching out her
hand towards group OF pods, as If
dismissing the subject.
The officer went his way with just
another admiring glance at the pretty
figure in the charming green avenue.
The door at the cottage stood wide
open; a black cat was doing in the
sun; all was quiet and sleepy; there
was not a sound about the place. The
officers loud knock brought a stupid
servant-girl with a snub nose and
wide-open mouth to answer his relt-
Grated question.
Where's the-the young gentleman
who came in here just now? / want to
speak to him"
There's no young gentleman here"
she replied-"only my master and
misses. and they're both old"
Where are they? Tell them Mr..
James Brown wants to speak to them"
The girl preceded him into the par or
at the end OF the passage. after knock
ing at the door, and gave his message
verbatim
"Mr. James Brown wants to speak
to ye."
A decent old man of the retired
tradesman class, disturbed in his after
noon nap, looked up with blinking eyes
at the impatient constable. whilst his
comely old partner put down the stock
ing she was darning, and prepared to
interview the visitor.
Good afternoon, sir" she said, civ
lily. Wont you take seat; it's
warm walking"
Was 1t real innocence or only a
sham? Mr.. Brown was not gong to be
taken in; these people were probably
allies OF Mr.. Charles B -anscombe-old
servants or something of that sort.
The old gentleman's yawn was too
demonstrative. and he did not mean to
let the Old lady's civilty put him off
the scent-he was quite up to that
game. He glanced sharply around the
room. behind the old mans ponderous
armchair, at the cupboard door, even
up the chimney, before he answered in
his most official tone
"a young gent entered this house
about ten minutes or maybe a quarter
of an hour ago, Mr.. Charles Brans-
combe by name. I've got business
with him-very particular business. IL
you'll let him know"
"Mr. Charles Branscombe," echoed
the old man; "he's not here, and hasn't
been, to my knowledge"
Then it's without your knowledge"
retorted Mr.. Brown. who was getting
cross. "I'll take my davy he's some
wher" on the premises; and. as hold
warrant for his apprehension. shall
have TO search for him-with your
leave or without It."
You're an ill-mannered upstart-
that's what you are" exclaimed Mr..
Walker, very wide awake now, and
starting up to face Mr. Brown. And
| dare you to search my house-war-
rant or no warrant, I'm an honest man.
and I've nothing. to do with your
scamps; and If was ten years younger
I'd kick you out faster than you came
in-that's what I'd do''-warming as
he went on.
flush, Samuelw interposed the
dame, laying her hand upon his arm,
as he shook his fist in the intruder's
face. Never mind his manners-t's
only his ignorance We don't mean to
resist the law; IL he's got warrant, let
J him show it, and he's welcome to
| search II he likes. He'll soon see it's
no use. My husband Is old. sir"-asid4
to Mr. Brown, as the old gentleman
walked to the window, and wiped his
forehead with his handkerchlef-"and
he's apt to be hasty when he's walked
sudden out of his sleep. Let us see
your warrant. II you please. sir"
ITO be continued)