The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-01

cumstance, and remained still and
quiet while he sat by my bed and read
his ancestors Record. At last he laid
aside the book with a sigh, and rising
from his chair paced about the room
thoughtfully. After some minutes he
suddenly paused before me, saying
II wish you were well enough to ac-
company me to the crypt
l assured my father Of my ability to
do SO without danger or even incnn-
venience, and was about to get up
when he stopped me.
Not until DR.. Thurlow has seen you
again, and then only with bis con-
sent"
what nonsense~ exclaimed.
springing out Of bed. Because
have been disappointed and have
knocked my head on a stone pavement
You want to make an invalid Of me.
Surely two days is enough to spend
in bed talking nonsense. especially at
such q time as this, when there Is so
much to do and consider" and despite
nv fathers protests FASTENED to dress
myself, assuming smile and taking
cheerfully all the while. But the per
formance cost me tremendous effort,
for felt wretchedly weak and Ill.
"Well, / suppose it must be so. then"
consented my father. when be per.
ceived that my obstinacy was not 10
be overcome; ut will be best TO make
q careful examination Of the place
before your uncle comes"
Before my uncle comes" / echoed
"Is uncle Sam coming:"
"Yes; tomorrow morning. I tele'
sraphed to him yesterday. informing
him Of your accident. and he replied
that he would come down on Thurs
day"
"Ahr' I said, "he little knows what
q story we have to tell him."
II hope he does not, ! am sure" said
my father sadly.
How strangely you talk. father.
Surely you don't mean to imply that
your brother has directly or indirect
" stolen those sequins out Of your
house? would stake my life upon
uncle Sans honor: and as for his
wealth. liberality and ability. you
would not easily match them In an.
other man"
To my inexpressible surprise and
pain. my father ignored my question:
merely remarking that he hoped no
harm might come of my going down
into the crypt, and that must certain.
" be back in my room again before
Dr. Thurlow returned.
1t was an hour past noon when wo
entered the crypt, my father walking
first holding q lamp. for the place war
rs dark by day as by night. After
pausing for 4 moment to observe
crimson stain which marked the spot
where had fallen, we proceeded at
once to the Abbot's Cell-for my
father, when he assisted in bringing
me up out Of the crypt. and again
when he went there with DR.. Thur
low to explain to him in what cir
cumstances had been found, had mol
penetrated so far.
The crypt's store Of surprises was
not yet exhausted, whatever might
be the case with its sequins. for walk
ing I'D to the Abbot's Cell saw with
astonishment that II was closed by tht
brick screen rs when my attention
was first called to it. The bricks hat
been carefully replaced one upon an
other precisely as had found then
on Monday night. or II there was any
difference, they were built up some
what more neatly; for notwithstand
ing the aid Of my father, 1t took longer
to effect an entry into the cell thar
when ! was unassisted. On reaching
the interior we found that the candle
and matches had been taken away
and the empty chest upon which J
had seen them was placed with the
other empty chests. All else In tht
cell was unchanged.
NV father spoke few words during
this investigation. and appeared great
ly depressed. though. SO far as couic
make out he cared but little for the
loss he had sustained. He agreed with
me (for indeed the evidences OF ii
were undehiable) that the contents
of the chests had been distracted quite
recently-probably only q few days
before.
We left the crypt rs We had entered
Il, my father locking the door after
him and putting the key into his
pocket. Coming out Of the stillroom
irto the hall we noticed that the front
door was opened as widely as possible
and that eight strong men were with
much difficulty bringing In upon rollers
an immense steel safe Of enormous
weight. the secure receptacle for oul
family papers which uncle Sam haC
promised 10 my father.
To he continued.