The times., 1901-03-24


The time was 4 y. m. Through the
window we could see the rain sweeping
over the lawn, as it had never ceased to
do for the last forty-eight hours. and my
guests lounged about the big, uneomfort-
able hall in various stages of ennui.
They had been discussing the vital
question of how the evening was to be
got through Music, suggested by our
Wagner enthusiast; dancing. by the
waltzing girl, had been gloomily reject
ed. And then suddenly. as though by an
inspiration, the little blonde widow had
turned on me and burst out:
Wont you give US some of your act
ing this evening. dear Mrs. Sterling?
You see. the truth was, in the days OF
her maidenhood, the wife of the Hon.
Felix Sterling had toured three years as
leading lady of a well-known provincial
comedy company. And now, having re-
signed the plaudits of the tickle multi
tude for the love and admiration OF one
she still occasionally amused her friends
with such smatterings of the histrionic
art as she possessed.
On this occasion the request that 1
should employ my poor talents to divert
my guests was received with acclama-
ton.
"Oh. yes. Please act for u.s." came in
chorus from ali parts OF the hall. And
young Charlie Fleetwood excitedly
sprang up and offered to improvise a
temporary stage IL l would consent to
perform on It.
| would not make any rash promises,
being doubtful. indeed, whether my some
what limited repertoire included anything
that would serve as monoiogue. And
the subject was still under discussion
when tea was brought in, and with its
fragrant presence carried our thoughts
away from things theatrical to the more
important matter of satisfying the craV-
ings of physical nature.
over the lawn. battling with the wind
and rain. half dozen eager-lookins men
advanced and steered straight for the
entrance porch.
We watched their progress in mild sur
prise, and then suddenly my curiosity
was whetted by recognizing the foremost
of the six as one of the keepers at the
big lunatic asylum which stands, grim
and silent, about a league from Win
This man-burIy. hard-faeed Yorkshire
man-walked straight into the nall ana
asked to see Mr.. Sterling. My husband
lazily rose and went with him 10 the
door.
The keeper Immediately commenced to
talk 10 him in a loud, excited voice 50
loud in fact that we could not avoid over
hearing part OF what he said. And that
had the effect of throwing my guests INTO
something of a panic. Tor the Keeper spoAe
of lunatic who had escaped from the
asylum that morning after nearly murder
ing an attendant. The lUnatic was sIill
at large, and had been seen. not haf an
hour ago, lurking in plantation near our
house.
Mercy on us, He may come mere at
any moment exclaimed my Aunt Marge-
ry, in a state of high terror
Hadn't we-hadn't we better have all
the doors locked and bolted2 the waltz
ing girl suggested, with shuddsr
u shall certainly look under the bed
and in the wardrobe tonight. asserted
the blonde widow; whereupon ChdThe
Fleetwood expressed his firm belief that
Ladies always did that which sally
only raised rather feeble laugh.
What sort of chap is he2 We heard
Felix asking the keeper.
Tall chap. sir Thin. snow-white hair,
face deadly pale, eyes like fire.
''Cmph, Well from what you say /
fancy the sooner you get him under lock
and key again the better it will be for
the community. No, we have not seen or
heard anything of hIm III We do we VIII
| let you know at once.
1t was with rather a grave face that
my husband returned TO us But ne SPOKE
some words to allay our alarm. Nothing
to be frightened about. He would soon
be caught. There were now securing the
countryside In search of him
But nevertheless. il was some time De-
fore the more nervous of our circle quite
recovered their equanimity, and when the
time came for retiring, and dress Tor
dinner that lunatic was Stlil the leaolhS
topic of conversation
We'll, have you prepared your pro-
gramme for tonight, Mrs. Sterling:
Charlie Fleetwood asked when We met in
! the dining-roOm.
ssn0r't ask nusstionsf'' answered
/ Let is be pleasant surprise for you.
| Afterward both question and answer
/ proved to have strange sigmncance-
| We were sitting in the drawing-room
after dinner. Felix was talking to the
| blonde widow about a curious book OF
heraldry he had been reading. He said
/ he would show her the volume in ques-
ton, and rose to go to the library to fetch
| it.
Now. Winston Lodge, which we have
| been accustomed to enke each year Tor
| the shooting season. consists of an inn
| posing central pile, with two long wings
| extending east and west. The house was
too big for our requirements; CONSEQUENT
| " we only occupied the centre and the
/ west wing But # was into the east wing
/ that my husband had now gone, the Il
| brary being situated there.
| lie SAD scarcely ltIL the IbpiA NilCiA L
recolected that the book he wanted was
not in the library at all, and to save him
| the futile task of looking for IL ran
| after him.
| narrow oak PaneIed corridor leading TO
| the east wing. My course was unillu-
mined, save for the dim moonlight that
/ penetrated the mullioned windows. but l
| knew my way well enough, and marched
| along, without hesitation.
| L passed through the lofty picture gal
! Iery with it's rows of Old World faces and
! grim guardian suits of armOr. out into
| the second passage went-a low tortuous
| passage, very dark and smelling of mus
! ty tapestry.
Suddenly as 1 was cropping my way
! along l saw slight movement IN front
! of me, and there but a few feet away
stood gray. silent human figure.
Felix, is that you?" 1 said And l
won't be positive that there was not the
suspicion of quiver IN my voice.
There came no answer to the question,
and the figure began to glide down the
! passage.
| frightened l followed II. quickening my
pace a little. The mysterious form did
| the same.
Along and along we went. twisting and
| turning among the labyrinth of passages
and then at last, coming round a sharp
corner, there was a shaft OF light through
a half-open doOr-the door of the library,
where my husband was.
| darted forward feeling quite brave,
now that | was in the vicinity OF Felix
But | was too late. The form glided into
the room, silently closing the door, and l
heard the key turning In the lock.
| stood there for a moment or two
puzzled, doubtful, alarmed. All at once
I there rushed upon me the horrible Pre-
sentiment OF impending doom, and with
il "A wild, irresistible desire TO learn what
was going on I'm that room.
/ tried the door It was securely locked
A few yards down the passage high up In
the hall was a small window looking into
h, liLrn ~. DirantlN underneath II WAS