The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-03

wagonette. The figure of a woman was
s:lkouetted against the yellow light CT tf..
hall. She came out and helped the man
10 hand down our bags.
You don't mind my driving straight
home, Sir Henry?'' said DR.. Mortimer.
My wife is expecting me-.
Surely you will stay and have some
di1uer?''
NO. must So 1 shall probably find
some work awaiting me- I would stay
70 slow you over the house, but Barry
more will be a better guide than 1. Good
bye. and never hesitate night or day to
sci.,! for me if I can be of service
The wheels died away down the drive
while Sir Henry and I turned into the
hall. and the other door changed heavily
behind US. 1t was a fine apartment in
which we found ourselves, large. lofty
ard heavily raftered with huge balks of
aSs-blackened oak. In the great old
fashioned fireplace behind the high iron
dogs a log-tire cracked and snapped.
Sir. Henry and held out our hands to
it, for we were numb from our long
drive. Then we gaZed round US at the
high, thin window of old stained glass.
the oak papelling, the stays heads, the
coats-of-arnis upon the walls. all dim and
somtre in the subdued light of the central
lamp.
Its just as I imagined it," said Sir
y. Is is not The very picture OF an
old family home? To think that this
should be the same hail in which for
five hundred years my people have lived.
1t strikes me solemn to think of it.
saw his dark face lit up with boyish
enthusiasm as he gaZed about him. The
light beat upon him where he stood, but
long shadows trailed down the walls and
hung like a black canopy above him.
Barrymore had returned from taking our
1Iotrcyc 70 To ctr frnr1
of US now with the subdued manner of a
well-trained servant. He was q remark
abie-looking man, tall, handsome, with
a square black beard, and pale, distin-
Suished features.
Would You wish dinner to be served
at once, sir?''
rs it ready?''
in a very few minutes. sir. You will
find hot water in your rooms. My wife
and will be happy. Sir Henry. to stay
with you until you have made your
fresh arrangements. but you will under
stand that under the new conditions this
house will require considerable staff.
What new conditions"
81 only meant, sir. that Sir Charles led
a very retired life, and we We're able to
look after his wants. You would. natu
rally, wish to have more company, and
so YOU will need changes in your house
hold
DO you mean that your wife and you
wish to leave?"
Only when it is quite convenient to
you. SIR
But your family have been with us
for several generations. have they not?
I should be sorry to begin my life here
by breaking an old family connection
I seemed TO discern some signs of emo
ton upon the buffers white face.
Il feel that also. sir, and SO does my
wife But TO tell the truth, sir. we were
both very much attached to Sir Charles.
and his death gave us a shock and made
these surroundings very painful to US |
fear that we shall never again be easy
in our minds at Baskerville Hail.
But what do you intend to dog"
IT have no doubt, sir that we shall
succeed in establishing ourselves in some
business Sir Charles generosity has
given us the means to do so. And now.
sir, perhaps I had best show you to
your rooms"
A square baustraded gallery ran round
the TOP of the old hall, approached by
double stair. From this central point
two long corridors extended the whole
length of the building. from which all the
bedrooms opened. My own was in the
same wing as Baskerville's and almost
next door to it. These rooms appeared
TO be much more modern than the cen.
trail part Of the house, and the bright
paper and numerous candles did some
hing to remove the sonbre impression
which our arrival had left upon my mind
But the dining-room which opened
out of the hall was a place OF shadow
and gloom It was a long chamber with
a step separating the dais where the