The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-01-10

gence that he was still lurking between
Manchester and Liverpool. or along
the border of Wales, and the day after
a telegram would his arrival
IN Cuba or Yucatan. But in all this
there was 10 word of an Italian nor
any sign OF mystery.
IN the very last paper, however,
there was n item not so clear. The
accountants who were charged to veri-
~ the failure had, it seemed, come up
on the traces Of a very large number
or thousands which figured for some
time in the transactions of the house
OF Huddlestone, but which came from
nowhere and disappeared in the same
mysterious fashion. 1t was only once
referred to by name, and then under
the initials TX. H." but it had plainly
beer f1oated for the first time into the
business at a period of great depres-
sion some six years ago. The name
OF a distinguished royal parsonage had
been mentioned by rumor in connec-
ton with this sun. 'The cowardly
desperado"-such, I remember, was the
editorial expression-was supposed to
have escaped with a large part of this
mysterious fund still in his possession.
| was still brooding over the fact,
and trying to torture it into some con-
nection with MI. Huddlestone's dam
ger, when a man entered the tavern
and asked for some bread and cheese
with a decided foreign accent.
"Siete Italiano?" said l.
Isl, signor," was the reply.
l said it was unusually far north to
find n OF his compatriots; at which
he shrugged his shoulders, and replied
that q man would go anywhere to find
work.
Even as he was speaking, I raised
my eyes, and, casting a glance into the
street, beheld three men in earnest
conversation together, and not thirty
yards away.
It was already drawing toward the
close Of the day before l had return
ed the newspapers at the manse. and
got well forward On to the links on my
way home. I shall never forget that
walk. It grew very cold and bolster
GUS; the wind sang In the short grass
about my feet; thin rain showers came
running on the gusts; and an immense
mountain range OF clouds began to
arise out OF the bosom of the sea. The
sun was about setting; the tide was
low, and all the quicksands uncovered;
and ! was moving along, lost in un-
pleasant thought, when l was sudden
" thunderstruck to perceive the prints
Of human feet.
Step by step I followed the prints un-
til, q quarter Of q mile further, I be-
held them die away into the south
eastern boundary of Graden Floe.
There. whoever he was. the miserable
man had persisted. One or two gulls,
who had perhaps seen him disappear,
wheeled owe his sepulcher with their
usual melancholy piping. The sun had
broken through the clouds by a last eff
fort, and colored the wide level Of
Quicksands with . dusky purple.
stood for some time gazing at the
spot, chilled and disheartened by my
own reflections, and with q strong and
commanding consciousness Of death.
I remember wondering how long the
tragedy had taken. and whether his
creams had been audible at the pa
vilion. And then. making a strong res
olution, I was about to tear myself
away when a gust fercer than usual
fell upon this quarter Of the beach,
and l saw, now whirling high in air.
now skimming lightly across the sur
face OF the sands. a soft, black felt
hat, somewhat conical in shape. such
as I had remarked already on the
heads Of the Italians.
I believe, but l am not sure, that
uttered q cry. The wind was driving
the hat ~shoreward, and l ran round
the border Of the Zoe to be ready
against It's arrival. The gust fell, drop
ping the hat for q while upon the
quicksand, and then. once more fresh
ening. landed 1t q few yards from
where / stood. / seized it with the in
terest you may imagine. 1t had seen
some service; indeed. it was rustier
tu0A 0AkAACA u I4OS0 ! n0O Sc0u IQ8l
day upon the street. The lining wal
red, stamped with the name OF the
maker, which I have forgotten, and
that of the place Of manufacture, Ven
edig. This Ut is not yet forgotten)
vas the name given by the Austrians
to the beautiful City Of Venice, then
and for long after, a part Of their do
minions.
Tho shock was complete. I saw
imaginary Italians upon every side;
and for the first, and, I may say. FOL
the last time In my experience. became
overpowered by what IL called panic
terror. I knew nothing, that Is, to be
afraid Of. and yet I admit that l was
heartily afraid: and it was with q sen
sible reluctance that / returned to
my exposed and solitary camp in the
Sea wood.
There ! ate some cold porridge
which had been left over from the
night before. for I was disinclined to
make q fire. and feeling strengthened
and reassured. dismissed all these