Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-03-10

must be that or studio as There were
no windows. but high dome6 skylight
on top. Now I saw that though the
outer building was square, the room
within was octagon in shape II was
perhaps, a studio, as had fancied. but
there was something Of the free-and-
easy negligence OF an Oriental smok-
ing room about IL.
The walls were hung with embroi-
dered Indian materials, and 4 low d.
van ran down part way. Be tween the
hangings were panels OF sandalwood,
ornamented with bits OF mirror In the
Burmese way, and half hidden with
curious foreign weapons, daggers.
swords, and spears, and even zulu
asscgai or two. On the floor stood n
hookas. and on small inlaid table
were a couple of curious little objects
which | knew 10 be opium pipes. In
one corner, as though IL had been
pushed aside. stood az easel with n
,anvas upon it. which vas half-covered
With piece of drapery. The skylight
was partly concealed with red silk
blinds. drawn across the staring glass.
and from the centre Of the dome was
suspended large jewel'ed lamp. It
was from this that all the light in the
studio proceeded at present, and
though there was no fireplace the
room was warm-indeed, insufferably
hot This fact, taken together with
the studios proximity to the tower,
made me feel more certain, than be.
fore some fiue in this modern portion,
of the house had caught fire.
searched the panels for n bell, but
Ifound none, and at last lifted several
or the curtains that draped the larger
part OF the octagonal walls. Under
Ithe nrst two that l raised only n blank
space OF dark wood was visible. but
under the third 1 was surprised to, find
small, notwithstanding door.
~ There was no knob or ring by way of
handle. but close to the edge. and
about half way between top and bot
tom, L distinguished a diminutive key
hole, outlined with shining metal.
let the curtain drop again. though
ilingeringly. 1t could be only a cup
board, or a particularly secure wine
cellar, perhaps, behind this dwarfish
ioor, but had discovered it in a house
not English, but of country less con-
INTENTIONALLY civilized than our own. /
Should have told myself that 1 had,
/ ,hanced upon the clew to a secret.
| There was still fourth curtained
space (the remaining half of the octa-
CONS being OF sandalwoodD, and this.
las 1t happened, was directly behind
the draped easel
| L moved toward ii. not intending to,
Ipry into Mr.. Wildreds domestic econo-
mics. but still bent on unearthing an.
electric bell IL could do so. when my
eyes fell upon the partially covered
lpicture.
II was but pinky-white, uncovered
shoulder that could see. with a
glimpse OF red-gold hair at such n
distance above as to suggest massive
knot at the back of a woman's head,
as seen in profile. There was fraction
OF fluffy tulle sleeve as well, revealing
the outline OF n rounded girlish arm.
and though the face was hidden by
the drapery, i was sure as drew aside
the curtain my eyes would fall upon
the counterfeit presentment of Karine
cunningham.
| With half-extended hand I paused,
The painting was so far covered, and
II was in another mans house. Had I,
n right to assure myself whether nv
,suppositions were correct? As l hest
tated my ears were startled by n soul
lpiercfng shrek.
Carson Wildred entered the room, al
most Immediately. and in answer To
my Interrogation concerning the cause
lof the frightful anu agonizing scream
Explained that the cook had spilled
some hot grease on her foot; that while
1t was very painful il was not neces-
sarily serious. He saw plainly that [
half doubted his explanation and /
was at no pains to conceal the. doubt.
1 demanded to know the whereabouts
of my friend Farnham who had prom
ised TO dine with him. He without
displaying any emotion stated that
Farnham had gone unexpectedly to
London. So there was nothing for me
to do but return to town.
! ITO be continued1