Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-07-04
CHAPTER TX.

Cursing his own ill-luck and the
deftnesS ana fieethess OF root or ms
antagonist, the detective hurried down
the stairs and dashed out by the back
door just as he heard the voice Of
George Claris from above calling out
to know what was the matter.
Now, there was by this time enough
daylight for the detective to fatter
himself that the chase would be a
short one when once he got out of
doors. He was surprised to find,
therefore, that the mysterious Great
ure he was pursuing had vanished al
together, leaving no trace. Dashing
out among the cabbage-stumps he had
wide view over the fields and across
the little river. But there was not a
sound, not the flutter of a skirt, to
help him in his search. He went care
fully around the house, in the first
place, trying the doors of the out
houses and peering about for hooks
and corners in which the thief might
lie hidden. AS for the house itself,
the lower windows were secured by
shutters and bore no sign of having
been tempered with, while the front
door was securely fastened from the
inside. He then made his way to the
group Of cottages which stood near,
and questioned laborer, who was
just leaving one of them to 20 to his
work, as to whether he had seen any
person within the last few minutes
The man answered in the negative.
Returning to the back Of the inn
the detective was struck by the cir
cumstance that a punt which had been
moored at the inn side of the river
before lie made his tour of the house,
was now fastened to post by the OPP
posite bank. He had just noted this
circumstance when the innkeeper
came out He looked very surly, and
he went up to the sham commercial
traveller in threatening manner.
$50 it's you that's been turnin' the
place upside down, is it? An all for
what? That's what I'd like to know?
All for what"
you'll know all in good time," said
the detective, dryly. Il want to see
the women folk in your house, If you
please, ladies and all. / dare say you
know what I've come about. I don't
want to be of any more trouble than l
can help, but I've got to clear this
business up"
well, you may ferret 1t out your
own way, them" said Claris, Sullenly
"I'm not going to have nobody dis
turbed by YOU"
well" returned the other. in a con-
ciliatory tone, Il don't want to put
the ladies to any Inconvenience, I'm
sure. But if they'll answer few
question they'll help me, and you, too
For I'm sure, sir, it's by no wish of
yours that these tales have got about.
and that you'll be very glad to hear
the last Of them"
That's as it may be-" said George.
But I'll not stand any inquisitor's
work to set them all In Mysteries. And
anyhow, by this time they're all out
an about, and if you want to talk to
them, you may find 'em."
The detective took Claris's insolence
very quietly. Remembering the Incl.
dent Of the fusee, he was able to
chuckle to himself with the thought
that he held the clue of which George
Claris knew nothing.
'There'll be a burn on her hand"
he thought to himself. "for many a
day"
Returning to the house by the door
through which he had left, he noticed,
now in the broader daylight, that
there was large cupboard immedi.
ately opposite, under the stairs. Open,
ing the door of this cupboard, which
he found unfastened. he saw that the