Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-09-13

Incident"
Yes. true You're quite q phIloso-
pher. too. william"
Enough TO accept life as It comes
without demur." answered.
We'll, that is more than ! can do
sometimes, But to return to business.
You know that l have appointments
with DR.. Squires nearly every day.
Well. this is one OF the mornings, and
I do not feel energetic enough to keep
It Go and tell him that cannot come
before tomorrow. II he sends any an
swer back. remember Il and tell me-
That's ALL
He dropped his head back upon the
pillows and closed his eyes, I with
drew as quietly as could
took one OF the horses from the sta
BILE which John said needed exercise
and l cantered slowly down the road
toward the Doctors house. AS ap-
preached II looked with interest at
various objects that had become Indel-
IDLY impressed upon my memory from
the experience OF that eventful night
when l attempted to enter the house
had by no means given up all idea OF
exploring the interior OF the haunted
house, but was merely postponing the
second trial for more opportune time.
Meanwhile everything about the prem
ises assumed some special Importance
to me.
I wished very much 10 see the into
rior x the house In the daytime, and
/ determined to force an entrance at
all hazards in delivering my message
to the doctor. / feared the doctor
would come outside on the piazza or
that his servant might insist upon tax
ing the message in to the doctor. To
avoid this. If possible, stopped some
distance from the place. hitched my
horse to tree and approached the
house on foot, keeping well In the
shadow Of trees and Strawberries 20
prevent anybody seeing me.
succeeded SO well In this ruse that
] reached the piazza without being dis
covered. The bell, which I rang, ech-
oed throughout the gloomy interior Of
the house so discordantly that it made
one think of ghosts and departed spir-
its / seemed to hear the scurry OF
footsteps, as IL the bell had given the
alarm to innumerable rats and mice,
but a moment later was satisfied
that the noise was made by human
feet
The doctors servant-a dark, dried
up specimen OF a mummy from India
giided toward the door, making the
mans eyes were small and beadlike,
and his arms and fingers were long and
bony, but they were nevertheless
strong and active. He shufled to
ward the door with an anxious look
on his face. He was evidently dis
turbed by the thought that somebody
had approached the house without at
tracing his attention.
Ho refused TO open the door more
than foot and stood there making a
cultural sound as IL trying to ask my
errand.
y 81 have q message for Dr. Squires,"
said.
BE stuck out long. bony hand as IL
TO take the letter which he supposed
had. At least he could hear and was
familiar with the English language.
also believe that he could speak and
that his dumbness was merely pretend
ed. But there is no way to make a
man speak If he doesn't want to, or at
least not under ordinary circumstances,
in civilized country.
} at is not letter." l added as he
; held out his hand for some time. al
have a message TO deliver-a verbal
message"
+ He shook his head and withdrew his
hand.
LET me in, and tell the doctor
want to see him."
/ Again he shook his head and made
IN inarticulate cultural sound.
? was getting impatient at the delay
and the mans stubbornness. Placing
q foot in the crack OF the door, / held
1t SO that he could not slam II IN my
face.
II tell you 1 have a message from
Mr.. Goddard, and must see the doc
tor" 1 said in decided tones "wn
you let me in or must force myself
IMP
Z 1 could see that the man WIS In a
| quandAry. He wanted me to stand
outside while he went and told the
doctor, but 1 had no intention OF re-
firing. He motioned for me to remove
my foot, but answered him blandly:
mot until see DR.. Squires. You
may as well go first as Last and tell
him that Mr.. Goddard has sent a mes
seDger to see him."
I Gradually the wrathful. beady eyes
shifted from me to q seat In the hall.
BE was evidently celebrating upon
the best step to take, and could see
the line OF his reasoning.
"Let me stand in the han until you
go and cali him." said, cor will take
that seat there and watt
This time my proposition was &C
cepted. The man shook his head af.
! TENTATIVELY, pointed to the chair and
then cautiously opened the door, ]
stepped in and made q move to take
the seat, but had no intention Of stay
ing In the hall after once gaining III
entrance. When the man turned his
back upon me, l quietly followed hin