Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-04

T.
I aUds grooming his best trotter.
disgust when events took different
turn. On the morning OF the sixth da-
Mr.. Goddard appeared at the stable
door where | was grooming his best
trotter and took me by surprise.
civilian. are you accustomed to
drivingt" he asked me before | had i
chance to greet him with good morn,
ing.
1t was the first time we had met
alone since that evcntful night when
we had robbed the Stctson mansion,
he would show any sign Of recognition.
His parting injunction had been that
we should not know each other again
unless we met under conditions similar
to our first encounter. A glance mt bis
face showed that he was still deter
mined upon pursuing the Sd me course
even when we were alone.
| would not he outdone in keeping an
honorable agreement. and I answered
him accordingly.
"Yes. sir; have driven good horses
a little"
"Wcll, 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 Stctsous at 10 o'clock sharp"
Yes. sir. I'll be there on time"
He hesitated moment. looking
straight at my clothes. | OWNED his
meaning.
IL can put on Johns clothes" | said.
Were about the same size. and they
Will fit"
"All right. That will solve the prob
lem. ! will depend on you to be there
in time"
He walked burriedly out Of the barn,
iecking the dust from his neatly fitting
trousers with a riding whip. His figure
was almost us perfect as the setting of
his face, and | Internationally fell to
4dmiring It. He was every inch gen.
tlcman, and the mystery of his strange
double life was intensified. What rea-
son had ne to rob Il house in the dead
of night and that house belonging to a
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 | had taken strong liking
to him and wished to be near him.
Promptly ut 10 o'clock | ratified up to
the house with the team and waited
for my master Il did not consider it
lowering to call him that, who soon
appeared on the piazza dressed with
immaculate taste. His face was tri-
he 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. !
would at 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 at time. He
was gone about fifteen minutes, during
which time | studied the house and
the various windows which opened
upon rooms in which | must have been.
Hiss Stctson appeared more beauti-
full than ever that morning, confirm
ing my first impression. she noticed
me with a 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
after we had covered mile they be-
gan to converse in monoSylahles. 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 IL is due 20 the acuteness
of this sense that caught any OF the
converse ton. AS they became wrapped
up in their talk they unconsciouSly
raised their voices a tritle. AS near as
could hear the important part of their
conversation was AS follows:
Il wish Or. 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 il all the time!'
probably very disagreenble, espe-
cialy to one of your temperament,
Mr. Goddard replied quietly.
cor to one of your nature" she an
swered, with rising intonation of her
voice.
"But DIR. Squires does not seem tc
mind it," he added, unnoved. 81 have
offered to let him have a room in my
house. but he prefers to stay where Ia
Is. He says he cannot pursue his in
vestigations so well anywhere else"
What are his studies and investtga
tons? He is SO mysterious about then
that my curiosity Is excited"
ASK him. and hs will probably tel
you
Il have, but he always puts me OFF
tells me to wait until some day whel
be is ready to announce his discover,
to the world. Then he will tell me thu
first one"