The Minneapolis journal., 1903-09-18
CHAPTER DISCONTINUED.
The Lodgers at New-Take Farif,.

If they had been persons of a different
sort, this change in the tenants of New
Take Farm might have been regarded In
the light Of a mystery by the people of
Mallery-Tavy, only five miles away. have
aroused lively curiosity and inspired anna
teur detectives. But, somehow, not the
most imaginative minds could associate
mystery with the Truros. Thomas was
little, insignificant fellow, as much like
a gray rat as man; Elizabeth was COM
monplace, red-faced woman, whose whole
conversation was Of the kitchen. There
fore, the eccentricities Of the pair failed
to excite interest; the villagers had not
particularly wanted them in their midst,
and did not miss them when they were
seen less than at first.
The explanation Of the change, however,
would have set gossips (and there were
gossips even in Mallery-Tavy) by the ears.
One night when the Truros had been at
New Take Farm for rather less than three
months, a Knock had come at the door
under the porch with the pavise. Thomas
had risen from supper to answer 1t, and,
peering into the darkness, hardly lighted
by the faring candle he had brought, had
seen pale young man with great black
eyes, and a long, white face, framed with
auburn hair.
"Do you take lodgers?" the new conner
had asked, in foreign sounding voice,
after a Good evening had been spoken.
Thomas replied that he never had done
such a thing in his life, and did not care
to begin now. It would not be worth his
while, as there was plenty of work al
ready for his sister, and they kept no
servants in the house.
| The young mans face showed disap-
| pointment even in the uncertain light Of
the candle flickering in the farmers hand.
He had come a long way, he said, having
been recommended to the place by a
| f,.;o r. xvIN ho1 of
| Take years ago, as being one of the
! loneliest spots in England. For him, that
had been q connmendation. He preferred
lonely places, and was willing to pay we'll
| if he could be accomm odated to his
] fancy.
! Thomas Trure began to hesitate, for he
and his sister were partial to money. They
had met with losses, too, which had driv-
en- them from a home they liked better
than this. He was not used to foreigners.
/ but he asked the stranger to step into the
house and talk matters over.
| In the living-roon1, which opened off a
square, stone-paved hall of no great di-
mensions. matters had been talked over,
with Miss Truro admitted into the con-
/ ference It turned out that the young
man with auburn hair (wl1o said his name
was Michael Dupont and that he was
1 studying to be a surgeon in a London hos
/ pitaD did not want lodgings for himself,
l NJ, ~
was an invalid, with a fancy for living a
/ life Of isolation as absolute as was hui
! manly possible Mad. Oh, not at all. An
i old man, very: learned, but an eccentric
i genius who must be huJnored.
1 Four rooms would be required; two bed
rooms, two private sitting-rooms For
i these, with attendance, 5 guineas a week
would be paid, and anything reasonable
/ for food, firing, and other extras. No
doubt Mr.. Truro might count on making
4 s7 or a8 a week clear profit out Of his
/ guests, II he accepted them, the only
i stipulation they would make being that
their residence at Newt Take Farm should
not be noised abroad.
The old gentleman, whose name also was
i Dupont, was a writer of scientific books
which had made him celebrated. People
4 had vulgar desire to see him and his
daughter; Journalists had often attempted
i to break in upon his privacy. and, being
I a recluse at heart, he desired to insure
4 himself against intrusion. His wish was
i to find a home in the wilds Of Dartmoor
q for at least year, possibly much longer.
i When the first question as to dodgers
i had been asked. Thomas Truro had
i thought Of his profits as a sovereign OF
two a week; but the prospect OF a revenue
4 of f400 a year, apart from the produce o