Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-27

even when we We're alone.
would not be outdone in keeping an
honorable agreement, and answered
him accordingly.
Yes, sir; have driven good horses
a little"
We'll. John is going to take the gray
stallion to the city, and want you to
hitch up the team and drive me over to
Miss Stetson's at 10 o'clock sharp"
Yes, sir. I'll be there on time"
He hesitated moment, looking
straight at my clothes. l OWNED his
meaning.
II can put on Johns clothes" said.
We're about the same size, and they
will fit"
"All right. That VIII solve the prob
lem. l will depend on you to be there
In time"
He walked hurriedly out of the barn.
fecking the dust from his neatly fitting
trousers with riding whip. His figure
was almost as perfect as the setting Of
| his face, and l unintentionally fell to
admiring it. He was every inch gen.
tleman, and the mystery of his strange
double life was intensified. What rea-
son had he to rob IL house in the dead
| of night and that house belonging to n
woman he loved?
Then 1t occurred to me that he had
been searching for some papers or arti-
| cles that concerned his welfare and
that the robbery of the silverware was
only an Incidental feature of the
| nights work. The goods were probably
| taken out to cover up his tracks, to
give the impression that some ordinary
burglar had done the work. Satisfied
| with this solution of the mystery, de-
termined to stay in my position as
| groom for some time longer, hoping
that events might reveal more to me
and give me a chance in time of assist
| Ing Mr.. Goddard in his trouble. for the
| truth was l had taken strong liking
| to him and wished to be near him
Promptly at 10 o'clock | rattled up to
| the house with the team and waited
| for my master q did not consider it
lowering to call him that, who soon
| appeared on the piazza dressed with
| immaculate taste. His face was tri-
file paler than had ever seen it before,
but otherwise he was unchanged.
liked the new duties assigned to me
and looked forward with considerable
| interest to the outcome of the ride. l
would ut least have an opportunity to
study the two together.
He dismounted at the front door Of
the Stetson house and lightly ran up
the steps, taking two ut II time. He
was gone about fifteen minutes, during
which time | studied the house aud
the various windows which opened
| upon rooms in which must have been.
Miss Stetson appeared more beauti-
full than ever that morning, confirm
ing my first impression. She noticed
me with slight inclination of the
head. Then the two took their seats,
and drove them down the old country
road in the opposite direction from the
city.
| For time they remained silent, but
I! after we had covered mile they be-
gan to converse in monosyllables. This
in time yielded to more animated con-
| yersation, conducted in an undertone
that made hearing very difficult. have
always prided myself upon my good
| hearing, and it is due to the acuteness
of this sense that caught any of the
conversation. AS they became wrapped
up in their talk they unconsciously
raised their voices trifle. AS near as
could hear the important part of their
conversation was as follows:
81 wish DR.. Squires would leave that
old haunted house." Miss Stetson was
saying. ut makes me feel cold and
clammy every time pass it, and what
must it be to live in it all the timer
Probably very disagreeable, espe-
cially to one of your Temperament"
Mr.. Goddard replied quietly.
.Or to one of your nature" she an
swered, with rising intonation Of her
voice
"But DR.. Squires does not seem to
mind it" he added, unmoved. Il have
offered to let him have a room in my
house, but he prefers to stay where lie
Is. He says he cannot pursue his in
vestigations so well anywhere else"
"What are his studies and investiga-
tons? He is SO mysterious about them
that my curiosity is excited
i ASK him, and he will probably tell
you"
Il have, but he always puts me Off
tells me to wait until some day when
he is ready to announce his discovery
to the world. Then he will tell me the
first one"
"a great honor to you, l am sure
but should demand to be let into the
secret now"
There was n little irony in his voice
which no one could mistake.
why do you not aspire to the same
honor:" she asked in sharp. piqued
tones. II understand that you are just
as ignorant of his secrets us am"
Eyes, / am. l know nothing about
his studies. He never lets me go be
You'd his office, which is on the ground
floor in front, but then there is no spe
cial reason why he should take me into
his secrets"
isn't he Il friend of yours, and didn't
you bring him here?'
II brought him here, but not as I;
friend. l understood that he was
skilled in certain lines, and l brought
him here us u medical adviser. l an
responsible for nothing more thai
that"
.'You talk very differently from wha
you did six months ago. There wa:
nothing too good for you to say abou
him."
I'm saying nothing against hin
now. l merely disclaim responsibility.
for him except as medical adviser"
81 do not think he needs you us ,
sponsor for his character" was TIL
sharp rcjoinder.
Probably not"
The quietness Of the reply adde,
fuel to the fire, and the silence whicl
followed was no indication of thei
feelings. dropped the whip purposel.
on the seat back of me. and in turnin!
to pick it up l caught momentar.
rlimDSp of thpir farpS They were hot