The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-16
PUBLISHED WEEKLY,

tatic look Of connoisseur. wait dear boy,
until l describe it to you and Mrs. Bellairs
rapidly ran over its projections until Alured
assured her that he should be able to recog-
nlze it without mistake.
Two hours later found Alured Belairs at
Harkmanton Station. and hiring a trap there
ne drove to the village Of Wildhay ordering
dinner at the inn, and thence driving for
ward to the Manor.
1t was not very large house, and the
building was of no particular order of archi-
lecture but, taken as a whole, it had an air
Of dignifed comfort and old English kindli-
ness, which attracted Bellairs' fancy at once
AS he reached the circular stone steps lead
ing to the hall door, man came out, and
seeing Bellairs ascending, waited politely at
the top, smiling and bowling with the courtly
ease Of polished gentleman and foreigner
and then, when the young man had reached
the terrace, passing him, and descending him
self.
He was man Of remarkably handsome
appearance, so handsome indeed, that his
looks would command attention anywhere;
tall in stature, with aquiline features, a pale
cold face, and intensely black hair, and eyes
of steely-blue, which, flashed and flashed
again like steel at white heat
He impressed his personality wildly upon
Alured during the moment in which they
gazed at each other, but the impression was
but a fleeing one, and almost before the door
opened, in response to Bellairs pull at the
changing door bell. he had faded from his
thoughts.
It was apparent that changes were being
contemplated in the Wildhay household ar
rangements, for housemaid answered the
door instead of the regulation footman
Alured produced his card, and asked permits
sion to view the house, but the maid hest
tated.
my lord has just entered, SIR" she said;
'and he told Mrs. Hodgson it was already
past the time"
What is it, Ann?" A stout middle-aged
woman entered the hall and bowed primly to
Bellairs. Ann, you can go. Ny master has
given orders, sir, that the house is to be
closed today"
Alured appeared somewhat annoyed, and
Mrs. Hodgson, the housekeeper for she it
was, looked at him, considering for mo-
ment. But if you will follow me-" she con-
tinued. as if she had made no pause; Il will
see my lord. We quite disarranged-the
butler left yesterday Oh, dear, 1 never
thought should live to see this day." half
to herself, as she ushered him into a small
side room, and left him, taking his card with
her.
Belairs looked round him with the idle in
terest many Of US feel on entering a strange
room. This was quaint and somber but not
very interesting; panelled walls of cedar
wood reached half way to the ceiling, and the
frieze was hidden by dingy oil paintings:
besides the door by which he had entered
there was another door in it., slightly. ajar,
and a long window overlooking the lawn.
stood at the right hand. While Bellars was
waiting a man ran rapidly across the garden
and through the scrubbery, and the young
man watched him with amused curiosity, for
he seemed like servant who expected a
sound scolding if he did not obey his mas
ter's bell promptly. He was just advancing
to look from the window when his glove
dropped from his hand on to small table
that was in his way. and he stopped to re-
cover it. A card tray full of visiting cards
lay there, and the table top was strewn with
cards many Of which had fallen on the floor.
AS Bellairs picked up his glove he disclosed
the Ace of Spades lying on the top of the
card tray, as If recently placed there. Some
thing damp wetted his fingers, he wiped
them, and to his surprise, found his hand
kerchief stained with blood.
He shivered slightly; not because he at
tached any importance to either card or blood
stain, but with the involuntary shudder that
sometimes comes to one as a premonition
He was still looking at the card when the
housekeeper re-entered
81 am sorry, to have kept you waiting, SIR
she said; "but my lord is out think, for I
cannot find him. However. will show you
the house.
CHAPTER II.
"That is not very prop;tious looking vis-
Ting card Bellairs said lightly to the house.
keeper, pointing to the Ace of Spades. She