Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-07-03
THE.nYSTEE1. oF.THE
Try .:TA.E. %oA0R -
Copyright ebert Bonners Sons

"Oh, yes, l know-Tvc heard. You
ure the-Ies, come ill.,"
He entered, waited while she shut
the door, and then followed, by her
direction, not into the kitchen, but to
cold, dark room on the right, which
smelt as If it We're little used Miss
Bostal wisely kept her shawl wrapped
tightly round her, aud politely begged
him to take seat, while she lit one
of the two candles which stood on the
mantlepiece. The detective gave one
comprehensive look around the room,
and quite understood why the lady
preferred to spend her time in the
kitchen, where 1t was, at least, warm.
".And now," asked the lady, as she
seated herself on a prim, stiir-backed
chair covered with faded necdlc-work,
"what is 1t you want to ask me?'
"Well, ma'am," said the detective,
who sat on the edge Of his chair, and
felt surprise at the amount Of dignity
there was about the little prim, shabby
lady, "it's just this: l want to know
/ uuy llttlC uNNlNtllt huppNhNN w "
young lady who spent the morning
with you-Miss Claris"
He saw his breath and hers on the
cold air of the little room. and thought
it was much warmer in Tic fields out
side. The lady was evidently aston.
ishci at the question.
Little acc,tleut:' she repeated. Not
that rcncmher.'
WAS she doing any sort of work for
you, maam? She said something about
ironing, | think
"Shc didn't do any ironing an.
swercd the lady, promptly. "but did,
";Alc told ne she was ironing and
burned her hand
The lady shook her head.
1T was l who had the iron all the
time" she said, decidedly.
But then the detective noticed that
the lady gave him quick look, and
that she then, as if recollcctins her.
self, altered her tone. He instantly
decided that she was making up Il
story for the benefit Of her protcge.
Il recollect, now | think of it, said
she. "that | did come very near her
with the irCn, and that l was afraid
bad burned her, though she said 1t was
nothing, and, Indeed | could see moth
ing3
"fhank you. ma'am," said the de-
tcctivc, rising at once. And now
would you be so good rs to let me see
her and the man Jcm StckclS t0Scth-
er. at once. before they leave this
house"
"If they are hero, you can, certain
ly," said Miss Dostal, as she at oEce
left the room and went down the pass
age toward the kitchen.
In few minutes, however, she re-
turned With a blank expression.
I'm sorry to say said she, that
they lave both left the house. Whether
together or no." she added, with de-
mure and pinched little smile. II can't
say
The detective took his leave. not in
the lest of humor.
Jcm Stickels was the person to be
"got at" that was certain. But Hem
miugs fear was that he had been got
at already.
CHAPTER NJ.
Miss Dostal shut the door when the
detective had gone, drew Il shiverlng
sigh as she folded the shawl more
tightly about her thin person, and
went into the dining-room.
Sitting on one of the horsehair-cov-
cred chairs in the darkness, was Nell.
Miss BoStal sighed again as she placed
carefully upon the table the lighted
candle she had brought with her from
the drawing-room.
II feel very guilty and ashamed Of
myself" she murmured, rather peev-
| ishly, "for having told the man you
were gone when knew you had gone
no farther than this. But l had to
choose the less Of two evils, for / was
afraid, my dear, that you could not
bear another long, worrying cross-eX-
animation from him just now."
"You were quite right, Miss Theo-
dorc, and as kind as you always are"
! said Nell, affectionately.
The poor girl looked indeed worn
out and the words she uttered seemed
to come mechanically from weary
lips.
Come into the kitchen, child, where
it is warm" said Miss Bostal, brisk'y.
81 will make you nice, hot cup of tea.
and then you will feel better"
Has Jem Stickels gone, then!'
asked Nell, apprehensivcly.
"Oh, yes! l sent him oil very quick
ly."
"Do you--" Nell fatcred and began
to blush and to tremble-"do you think
he told the-the detective-anythinS?
! "I'm sure l don't know, dear. These
men are so exceedingly reticent, 1t is
impossible to tell what they do know, y
! answered the elder lady.
Nell watched her and gathered from
her manner that Hemmng had tolt
her nothing disquieting. For Miss Bos
tails whole attention was devoted, a
that moment, to measuring out the
smallest possible quantity of tea whicl
could be made to supply two persons.
"And BESIDES" went Oh Miss Bostal
when she had shut up the a-caddy
what could Stickels have to tell him
And what trust could be put in Stick
elss Tories|'
Nell looked at her with wide eyes O.
wonder and terror.
Didn't / tell you," she said, in |