Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-07-16
CHAPTER III.
LUKE HAMMoND's LIBRARY.

and his heavy brows met in a frown
that half hid his deep.set gray eyes.
Here, then, Is a new obstacle In my
path.' he muttered "a most formid.
able one, for there is no doubt Cathar-
inc Elgin loves this James Greene pro-
foundly. or all men in the world.
why has chance centered her atfec-
tions upon James Greene? If my son
were here now should feel easier In
mind. Why does he not come"
Hammond tossed over pile of news.
papers near him, and selecting one,
read and rc.read the shipping intelli'
gcnce.
Bark Cleaner he read to sail on
the 9th She is due two days, and
Charles wrote that he would come in
her. Can she have foundered? No
head winds, no doubt
A groan, deep and dismal, growing
stronger ere it ended, rose upon his
car. lie let fall the paper and stood
up.
This Is a puzzle to me-" said he.
Ever since that impudent carpenter
repaired this desk those groans have
reached my ear more distinctly here
than in any other part of the house.
stay. he had some trouble in replacing
the desk. | remember ! told him he
would break down the partition. Let
me examine
He hcaycd at the heavy desk, until
It was far enough from tn" wall to
allow him to pass behind It. The wall
was merely a thin partition Of boards
colored ard papered and dividing the
little library from hall that traverscd
the third story of the eastern wing.
Hammond found one Of the boards dis.
placed.
This must bn repaired tomorrow.
will do it myself. | have had more
than enough of carpenters. This dam
age has let in groans enough to alarm
Catharinc, and but 70" James Greene
she would have forgotten those she
heard in the room she formerly occu'
pitd"
4 little bell, right over his desk, now
rang violently.
"How said Hammond, looking UP.
Mrs. Harker desires my presence i'm
mcdiately.'
AS he spoke the front door bell was
heard to clatter below.
"Ah" said Hammond. "a visitor at
this time Of night-nearly ten o'clock!
4.l. q np u n
returned, to fulfil his half.uttcred
threat of leading the police into the
eastern wing? Impossible. He could
not dream of what is there
The little bell over the desk again
tinklcd its summons.
You are impatient, Mrs. Harker,'
said Hammond. as he glanced at the
bell; but must learn who Is below
first. 1t would be very rash to leave
an enemy in my rear
He applied his mouth to speaking
tube and said
"Wait. | will bc with you in mo-
mcnt. Some one is at the front door.
What news"
Listening intcntly. he heard for an
answer:
Il can hardly hold Kim. Hc strus.
GIGS to rise
Bind him. | will be with you soon,"
said Hammond, speaking in the tube.
mouth.
"Struggles to rise" be muttered,
This rcgan!ng of strength is sur
prising. He was as weak as child
this morning.
a tapping at the door of the library
drew his attention thither.
Come in." said he, loudly. What
rGw!" he continued, as stout, i'll
favored man, biear-eyed and cruel
faced, entered. "What now, Daniel!"
"a gentleman below, sir-in the hall.
Wants to see you," said Daniel
"Do you know him? Have you ever
seen him before?" demanded Ham
mond.
mo. sir" replied Daniel. "Hc is q
tall, slender gentleman. cloaked to the
cyes-wcars slouch hat low down
over his face-eyes like Goals Of fire.
TIL, little bell over the desk tinkled
as if to shake out its tongue.
Hammond sprapg to the speaking.
tube.
What now, Nancy?"
The answer came up like a roar:
II must have help instantly"
expect it, replied Hammond Then
turning to Daniel lie said:
"Show the stranger hither, and then
hurry to the crimson chamber"
"rhe crimson, sir? He was in the
white and gold this morning" said
Daniel.
"He has been removed" said Ham
mond. Hurry to the crimson cham
bcr and aid Mrs. Harker. Use no more
violence than is necessary, Daniel"
"I'll be rs gentle as lamb sir" said
Daniel. "Must I show up the gentle.
man in the hall?"
"Of course hasten" said Hammond;
and Daniel left the room.
Now who can this stranger be"
muttcred Hammond. 'His descrip,
ton, as Daniel gave it, does not tally
with the appearance of my son. am
nervous--I tremble-a sure sign that ]
nm either to meet an enemy or some
one who may become So"
He stepped to closet, and filling q
wine glass with raw brandy, swallowed
the contents.
To ha continued