The Princeton union., 1900-06-28

- - - OAl4NI N6O9
which I could not now condemn myself
strongly enough.
knew the bank officials had used
every effort to recover their property.
I knew the shrewdest detectives had
been put on the case. Notwithstanding
this, nothing had been discovered.
How could l, then, hope to succeed!
Where could I begin? There was not
the least sign of clew to work on.
soon drove into Twineburgh, and
had no trouble in locating Mr.. Sonn-
tags Office.
An understood old fellow with brist-
ling gray hair was seated at desk,
his back toward the door. He took
no notice of me, and, after standing
for a few minutes gazing at the back
of his head, I made known my presence.
Il wish to speak to Mr.. Sonntag,"
said.
"Take chair; be at leisure in a
moment" came the answer, in quick,
jerky tones. He did not even turn his
head, but went on with his work.
l sat down and looked around. It
was typical small-towna lawyers Of
fice was in. There were few law
books in small, rickety bookcase on
one side of the room, a few rough
wooden chairs, warranted to cause
backache only to look at them, few
old maps and calendars, most of the
latter of former years, hanging on the
walls, wooden spittoon filled with
sawdust. on the floor, rusty stove,
from which the discolorations of the
fires of the last winter had not been
removed, standing in one corner, and,
lastly, the desk before which was seat
ed my agent and lawyer.
thought the old fellow, judging
from his back, was in complete har-
mony with his surroundings; but 1
soon found I had misjudged the man.
For when he finally arose, turned to-
ward me and favored me with search
ing glance from a pair of the keenest
steel-blue eyes 1 had ever seen, it was
very evident Mr.. Sonntag was not as
rusty as his surroundings.
There was something familiar to me
about him., Had 1 met him before?
could not remember.
Arising, was about to make myself
known, but before I could utter word
he, stepped brisl<ly up to me and with
smile extended his hand.
Il am glad to see you," he began.
"Of course you are my client, Mr.. Mel
son Conway?"
YES, that is my name," answered,
somewhat surprised. "But, as you have
probably never seen me before, al
though your face does seem familiar,
l should like to ask how you knew"
Nothing remarkable about it at all.
You wrote me from Paris, you remem-
Eer, stating the probable time of your
arrival home. And, although I have
been here only six months, have got
to know, by sight at least, every one
about this place. Therefore I knew
you were a stranger, that Mr. Conway
was about due, and-well, there you
have it. Have you just arrived?''
II came yesterday noon."
Indeed. And where are you stop
ping?"
''Over at the old house, of course.
Where else should have gone?".4....
sob, I supposed you would have put
up at the hotel here in Twineburgh
until we could get things in little
better shape for you at the homestead.
How did you find things?"
considering that the house has been
vacant so many years, was very agree
ably surprised to note the good state
Of repair it is in" replied.
81 have tried to follow out the plans
of my predecessor as far as possible.
You think you will ENJOY yourself in
Nelsonville?'' he asked, flashing an in
curing glance at me.
"Oh, yes. I hope to have absolute
rest and peace, at any rate" I replied,
somewhat hesitatingly, for my sojourn
at the old house had certainly not be-
gun restfully. had slept but little the
night before.
Nothing about the arrangements 1
have made for your comfort to prevent
it, is there?" he asked.
mo. You have done well. I want to
ask you, before forget it, why did you
have the cellar off of the old store
room walled up?"
A look Of perplexity came over his
face, and, as he did not seem to COM
prehend my question, I went on more
explicitly:
There were two doorways, one lead
ing to the storeroom and the other
leading to the outside. Both these door
ways have been built up with solid
masonryto correspond with the founda-
ton walls. I simply ask out of curios-
ity what your reasons were for having
it done-not that have any objection"
My question was simple enough
one. Mr.. Sonntag seemed to think it
necessary to ponder over it, however.
"Let me see. The cellar you have
reference to is directly under the room
you proposed in your letter of instruc-
ton to me to occupy" he finally said.
eyes, and there used to be two doors
to"
"And they have been built up?" he
broke in.
eyes. Do you not know about it?' I