The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-04-25
looking white and scared.
"Where is hep | asked.


lot of neat brandy just before you came.
l am almost frightened to 60 into
him"
opened the door and went in. My
uncle was lying back in an arm chair,
muttering to himself, an empty tumbler
in his hand. He started at the sound
of the opening door, and, when he saw
me, the glass dropped from his hand,
and he began to chatter and cry out
like child in pain. My presence only
made him worse, so | went into the
hall, and sent my man in to keep him
as quiet as possible. The man evil
IDENTIFY thought it was Il bad attack of
drink, for | heard him counsel my
unc.e to "Pull yourself together, sir"
and comfort Kim with, you'll be all
right as soon as the doctor gives you
'metic"
"What can it all mcan?' asked Alice.
81 can not understand" | answered;
and then told her what had occurred
at the stie WAS he nervous man,
dea,?'
mo, | do 30, ii.l.h 50, sh. answer
ed. "You know. Jack dear, he is mad
tonight. am certain of it. Drink
could not possibly make him like he is;
besides, he never does take too much. ,
could off, no explanation, and was
glad when the doctor arrived. We
told him all that had occurred, and he
went into the room to see his patient.
Presently, he came out looking very
serious.
"Well?' said.
ale has had severe fright" said
the doctor, "and | am afraid of the
consequences. l am at a loss to under
stand how so small thing can have
such serious result, considering Mr..
Penfold's usual health; but so it is.
He certainly must not be left. shall
stay here with HIM, and shall be lad
to have at least tne Of your men with
me- You must not 90 near him, Mr..
Martin; and think you, Miss Wray,
will be better away
The doctor returned to the dining
room, and my uncle seemed to quiet
down somewhat | stayed with Alice
for some time, and when dawn was
breaking | persuaded her to go and
get an hour or two's sleep.
"Ill just 90 over to MarshIands and
explain TO Williams, and come back.
You must be brave, little woman"
The rain had ceased, but it was hit
terly cold, aud walk as fast as would,
| could not get warm.
Maj shlands looked particularly
dreary in the early morning twilight;
and felt that my nerves were some
what unhinsed rs opened the front
door and stepped into the quiet hall.
took off my great coat and went to
the library. To my utter astonish-
ment, the door was locked and the key
gone. Here, at least, was some ex-
planation for last night.
NV uncle had evidently called, and
Basil and he had been making night
of it. Basil must have locked tie
door when he went TO bed, and taken
the key with him. went quietly up
stairs to his bed room to see that he
was all right. The room was empty and
the bed untouched. Could Basil have
locked himself in the library?
| went down stairs again, shook the
door and called, but there was no an
swer. | became seriously alarmed. The
key was in the lock inside, in such a
position as to prevent my looking
through the keyhole. This was so far
fortunate, as had duplicate key in
nv bedroom. | fetched it, and manag-
cd to push the other key out. | OPEN
ed the door.
Great heavens shall never for
get the sight that met my eyes. Tie
lamp had burned ont, the smoke had
blackened the chimney, and the oil
smclled abominably. Basil was sitting
Just where | had left him, his head
thrown back, and his arms hanging
down over the sides of the chair.
One glance was enough: lie was
dead A half.smoked cigar was in the
ash-sray. glass only partially empti-
eli beside it, What could it mean !!
Suicide disease-or-no, it
)ull II 1t be murder!
reused the servants. No; Mr..
Williams had not rung at all. They
supposed he had gene to bed when
they found the library door locked.
My uncle had not called-no one had
been there.
| searched the Library, but found
nothing. The windows were closed
and fastened; everything was just as |
had left it. | sent one of my servants
into the village for the constable who
came and looked wise, but could give
no opinion. All he could do was to
send to the nearest town for further
advice; and then, giving instructions
that nothing was to be done until |
returned, l hurried back to Uncle
Frcd's to find the doctor and tell him
of this new calamity.
Alice met me in the hall.
at is all over,' she said; "father