Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-04-21

D. -.
table. which lay In the reading room
or the hotel. In exactly an hour anoth-
er train would leave Paddington for
Maidenhead and NARROW 1.-THE nearest
stations to Purley Lock-, and after
that there would not be another until
10 O'clock
L should not have much more time
to catch the former, II I Intended to
go by it-and l did intend to go. Ex-
actly what l was to do, how was TO
get karine away from her husband. I
did not dare stop to think, but some
how would do it. So great was NV
dread of MILDRED as a criminal. and
my respect for him as schemer. that
L even feared dimly for Karine's safe
ty with him. 1t was madness to en-
terrain such a doubt, I assured myself
for, great heiress that she was, Kar.
Inc was lovely enough and sweet
enough TO inspire genuine love even in
so coid-hearted a william as Widred
BE might tire OF her in the end. but
for the present her life at least. would
be safe with him. So repeated men
tally, over and over again, but still
was pricked with a boding fear for
more than her peace of mind. WHY
had he taken her to that grim, hateful
house by the river?
1 would have wished to wait for
Cunningham, both because wanted
him with me, and because I was anx-
ious to hear what he had done at
Scotland Yard. However, he did not
come, so / wired him to the latter
place, left short note for him also at
the hotel to be kept till called for. and
started off in a cab (when dared de-
lay no longer at breakneck pace for
Paddington station.
1 just caught the train l wanted
changed at Maidenhead, and arrived
at NARROW by half past eight O'clock
This time had neither leisure nor in
cliration to walk, as upon my first Wis
1t to the place on Christmas Day. but
TOOK fly, and offered the man an ex-
ira fare if he would make haste.
l went UP the path. knocked and
rang the bell, which sent back lang.
ling echoes, such as belongs in ones
/ fancy to an uninhabited house. From
distant Kennel dog began to bay.
Otherwise 1 was not answered. and 40
/ rang and Numbered on the knocker
again, the animals voice at length
subsidized into a protesting whine.
1 ought by this time to have been
sure that Wildred and Karine were
rot In the house, but, on the contrary
1 was by no means certain of the fact.
Mentally I argued that, il the master
was absent, a caretaker would certain
~ have been left, and unless a stone
deaf person had been selected for the
post my violent alarms would have
brought him to me.
II any reason existed, however. WHY
the door should not be opened. If
would be easy to understand how and
why the caretaker might be suddenly
afflicted with an inability to hear.
Instead OF being plunged into dis
enlargement, an ever-kindling fire of
rage mounted within me. Rather than
go away ignorant as to whether Kar-
inc was hidden in this hateful house
or not, I would force an entrance.
sprang down the steps and went TO
one Of the bow windows nearest the
door.
Not an instant's hesitations had l I'm
kicking in one of the panes OF glass.
but. as IL happened, 1 had only my
trouble for my pans. There were
solidly barred shutters inside, so
heavy, that even 1, strong man as
was could not break them open.
Furious now, l ran up TO the door
again, and drove my gloved fist
through the glass in one of the curl
Gus six-inch window panes that ran
the length of the door on either side.
The shivered glass jingled sharply on
the polished wood of the floor inside.
and thrust in my arm up to the ell
bow, hoping to get at the lock on the
door within. AS l did so footsteps
came running I'm the distance.
'Herei herei What's the matter with
you," cried an imperative voice.
had heard It before I remembered.
II was that OF the eminently respecta-
bic looking servant, who had so clev-
eriy defended his masters reputation
on the occasion Of my former visit to
the House by the Lock.
III you're burglar" remarked the
voice, you'd better go away while
you can. / have a revolver and my
hand is on the trigger now"
II am no burglar" returned. "This
Is not exactly the time Of night to ex-
pect such gentry, is it? But you've
Kept me waiting out here long enough.
! wish to see your master and mis-
this evening, and L don't mean to go
away without doing it,"
The man inside chuckled.
mice way of amusing yourself amt
It, sir? But as it happens you'll have
to go elsewhere to see my master and
the new mistress. / don't know where
they are-it amt likely I shouldn't
do know they aren't in this house,
where there isn't a solitary soul but
me. AS for the time of night, that's
neither here nor there so long as I'D
CHOSEN to go TO bed; and 1 can't dress
all OF minute to please anybody that
likes to come banging at the door. You
deserve to be had up for damaging
the house, that you do, whoever you
may be-"
There was a ring of Indignation in
the voice, and for s. few seconds
length l hesitated. Perhaps after all
the fellow was telling the truth.
was very certain of his capacity for
lying, but it might well be that Will
dred and Karine had not really come
here. Still
Far away a door slammed sharply,
and just in time to decide me.
My heart seemed to leap in nv
throat l could feel the blood throb-
bling almost to bursting at my temples.
You liar"' l roughly exclaimed.
They are here and will see them, II
L have to break the door DOWN.
NV .