The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-03

volver in my pocket left the house For
tunately, l was good walker, for had
some distance to go and / could not run
the risk of taking Black Bess on this ex-
petition. 1 intended making an inspection
of the grounds surrounding Mr.. Schlfch' $
house, and even-if an opportunity Of
fered-of entering the house itself.
Though l might discover nothing.
I should feel more satisfied when this was
done
[ chose a corner of the grounds farth-
est removed from the house, mounted
the fence with some difficulty, aEd drop
ped lightly down on the other side 1t
was not likely anyone would be about so
late, but l took every precaution, hid
ing among the trees at the slightest
sound. My heart was beating a little I'M
comfortably; everything seemed SO still
and mysterious. l was in plantation
of fir trees, their long, straight branches
waving like arms around me, now Quiy-
ering in the moonlight, now rustling in
the dark. The patches of white light on
the ground, where the moon pierced the
trees. had a strange, uncanny look.
Suddenly I stepped out into small,
clear space in the middle of which stood
a curious little building. What it was
intended for l could not imagine. / went
ing-~to find an entrance, but without
avail 1t Rugged its secret close-if Sc
cret there were. All ! could be sure Of
was that it was not an old erection but
of quite. recent date. 1t was this which
reused my suspicious. If it had been
built by Sch1ich, it must be fer some
sinister purpose What could it be? l
was so full of this discovery that I did
not pursue my Investigations any fui Their
that night.
The next day I rode out again to The
Elms AS l went slowly past, n little
party of gentlemen came down the drive
and out of the gates. An elderly gentle
man-evidently the owner-chatted with
them as they got into dog-cart that
was waiting, but l could only catch his
last words.
Until tomorrow, then.
And with wave of the hand he went
toward the house, while the dog-cart
was turned in the direction was going
On the impulse of the moment / deter
mined to follow it. After drive of some
miles along a country road it turned off
at Eastnor and made for the barracks
on the top of the hill. was not very
much surprised. There was a smart,
military look about the men; evidently
they were officers from the regiment sta
toned there. They knew the owner of
The Elms and had driven over to see
him. There was nothing strange in that
l saw private soldier salute them, and
l stopped and asked him casually who
they We're.
Col. Fordyce, Maj. Clair and Gen. Won
Scheven, he replied.
The German generals name set me
thinking. l recognized it as that of a
Aell known officer an enthusiast in his
nj n luz 11o e.
any new discovery in military science a
favorite of the kaiser's. What was he
doing at The Elms? Had it's owner
made some important invention that was
attracting the attention of the service !?
That might explain his possession of the
gunpowder Musing over this and that,
vaguely uneasy without knowing why,
rode back the way / had come.
That night made my way again into
Mr.. Schiich's demesne, and seeing a
light in one of the lower windows I con-
cealed myself in clump of laurels close
by, hoping to hear or see something that
might give me a guide. The light came
from an open French window, and /
could hear the murmur of voices though
could not distinguish a word.
Presently someone stepped outside and
was Immediately joined by another man.
Mr.. Terah Schlich. 1t was fortunate
that a slight breeze was blowing, or the
movement I made might have betrayed
me, for started irresistibly when 1 saw
that Sehlich was walking quite easily,
without even limp. The broken leg had
been feint then!
They were standing in the moonlight,
and l could see them both distinctly.
The stranger was none other than the
owner OF The Elms; the man had
seen taking farewell of the officers that
same morning What could he want?