The Princeton union., 1900-11-22

We cant all so up to the house. It
might create scandal. The whole
thing may be mistake. I'll take this
lad first. He may perhaps identify
somebody, and then we shall be EN-
titled to act" f..
And me, please" 1 added. '.Oh,
yes, indeed, Colonel Bannister, shall
60 too"
lie shrugged his shoulders, and we
three, with Roy close ut my heels, soon
stood on the doorstep of No. Z. The
house was all shut up, the chain was
on the door, and we waited long time
while some one inside funbled with it
lnd several bolts.
| "Wcll, what is it?" asked an old man
who at last opened the door, but held
it ajar. He was Of very respectable
appearance, with white hair under a
black skullcap, and wore decent blue
and white striped jacket, the type of
an old servant in a good family. May
inquire''-
I'VE wish to see your MASTER" said
the colonel promptly.
Il am afraid that is impossible, sir"
replied the man civilly. '"The family
have gone out Of town The duke left
yesterday for Spain"
''The duke?"
'"The Duke of Tierra Sagrada. He
is my master, sir If you will leave
your card I will see that it is sent on
to him, or any letter. I have his ad-
dress"
''In Spain?'
certainly, sir. Casa Huerta Her.
mosa. st. Sebastian. They have gone
to the seaside. No, please"-this was
to me, for was quietly trying to get
Roy past him into the house-"that
| dog mustn't come in. My orders are
! strict against dogs"
'Call him back, Miss Fairholme, at
once" said the colonel in tone which
resented but he cut me quite short:
This farce has gone far enough.
wash my hands of it. Good night
this to the old mansertant as we
walked away. And if: you will be
guided by me, Miss Fairholme. you
will do the same. It's all humbug
from first to last, give you my word
do not believe one syllable Of this sto-
ry, except perhaps about the papers.
and even then am not quite satisfied,
for they were sent to Captain Wood
in the dispatch box That we know
'But not at Captain Woods re-
quest" 1 said hurriedly.
His man thinks not, and l admit
the box was not specifically mentioned
In the letter, but the letter said papers,
and the expression was seemingly one
that Wood used, for the man, as mat
ter of course. sent the dispatch box"
'But what do you imply?"
"Just this, that Captain Wood in
tended to keep out of the way-for rea-
sons l do not presume to conjecture
and while out Of the way to go on with
his work. He'll turn Up in good time,
take my word for it, and will give his
own explanation OF his. absence. 1t
may not be absolutely satisfactory, his
excuse may be bad. but he will make
one, and you will have to take it or
leave it, were the cynical police colo
nel's last words.
! hated and loatned him for taking
this view, and turned my back on
him. Sir Charles did not console me.
for he was thinking more about the
official papers than Willie's disappear.
ance.
by the Lord Harry, we shall be in
Queer street if they don't turn I'D" he
said with much emphasis Wood or
no Wood, we've got to get them, or
there will be jolly row; cabinet
question, egad, and the devils own
complications. The matter can't rest
here. So cheer up. Miss Erida. Wen
all do our level best"
"Why, certainly" added Snuyzer,
I'VE don't depend entirely on police
colonels, and this one is not so al
mighty clever. I've got to get OF, the
inside track Of this business, and I'll
do it yet, you bet your bottom dollar"
1t was kind of them, but would not
be consoled. When got to Hill street,
l crept up to my room, very sorrowful |
and sick at heart, and cried myself to |
sleep.
Next morning while was dressing
they came and told me that Mr.. Snuy- |
ger had called. He had something i'm
portant to tell me, and was rather in =
hurry.
"Captain Woods not in that house."
began the American abruptly, when
l got down stairs.
"How do you know? Why are you
SO sure?" asked.
Haven't the smallest doubt OF it.
know, because l went right through
the house last night, every single
roOm.''
what! Did they let you in?"
mo, miss; broke in-burglary you
call it in this country, l believe, and
you may give me into custody if you
please. But the detective that's not
good enough to break the law on an oc-
caslon Us we'll as break into q house
and stand the racket had better give
UP the business"
The mans audacity staggered me. |
was quite terrified, but liked him for
Il.
"You see, miss, can't afford to stick
1t trifes. My professional reputation
is at stake, and the more | thought it