The Cairo bulletin., 1904-04-21

assist in keeping watch ever lle prem
iSeS that very night.
AS | prepared to enter the old house
at nightfall | allowed myself one short
glance across the way TO see ii my ap-
proach had been observed hy the man
whose secret. if secret he had was
laying plans TO surprise. was met by
a sight had not expected PanSing on
the pavement in front Of me stood a
handsome elderly gentleman whose
appearance was so fashionable and
thoroughly up to date thar | should
have failed to recognize him il my
glance had not taken in at the same
instant the figure Of Ridge crouching
0bStinately on the edge of the curb,
where he had evidently posted himself
in distinct refusal to come any farther,
In vain his master, for the we'll dressed
man before me was no less u parsonage
than the whilom butt of all the boys
between the capitol and the treasury
building. signaled and commanded him
to cross TO his side Nothing could in
duce the mastir to bulge from that
quarter Of the street where lie felt him-
SELF safe
Mr. Moore glorymg ia the prospect
Of unlimited wealth presented a star
Ting contrast in more ways than one
to the poverty stricken old man whose
curious garb ana lonely habits had
made him an object of ridicule to half
the town. own that | was half
amused ana half aWci by the c6ude
scending bow with which he greeted
my otfhand nod and the allablc way in
which he remarked:
You are making use % your prorog
atives as a member of the police, |
see.
The words came as easily from his
lips Is if his practice in aifabiIity had
been Of the very longest
II wonder how the old place enjoys
its present distinction" he went on,
running his eye over the dlapidated
walls under which we stood, with very
evident pride in their vast proportions
and the air of gloomy grandeur which
signalized them. "lr it partakcs in the
slightest degree Of the feelings of its
owner I gan vouch for its impatieuce
at the free use which Ii made Of its
time worn rooms and halls. Are these
iutrusons neceSsaryf Now that Mrs.
Iehrey's body has been removed, do
You feel that the scene of her demise
need hold the attention Of the police
any longer?'
"ThHt is a question to put to the SUI
pcrintendcnt and not to me- was my
dcprccatory reply. The major has is
sued no orders for the watch to be
taken of. so we men have no choice.
am sorry if it otfcnds you. Doubt
less a few days will end the matter
and the keys win be given into your
hand | suppose you are anxious to
move nt'
He cast Il glance behind him mt his
dog. gave a whistle which passed I'M
needed, ana replied, with dignity, il
but little heart:
"When man has passed his seventh
decade he is not apt to be so patient
with delay rs which he has a prospect
Of many years before him am mx-
ious TO enter my own house yes. /
have much TO do there"
! | remounted the steps, carclessly rc.
marking:
/ "I'll see YOU again after taking n
turn through the house If discover
anything. ghost marks or human
marks which might be Of interest to
you, rH let YOU know"
Il was necessary for the success of
my plan that some time should clapsc
before / rcappfoachod Mr. Moore
therefore kept my word to him and
satisfied my own curiosity by taking q
/ fresh tour through The house. Natural
/ IT, in doing this, visited the library,
Here all was dark The faint twilight
still Illuminating The street failed ia
penetrate here was obliged to light
/ my lantern
Ny first glance was toward the fire
place. Venturesomc hands had been
there. Not only had The fender been
drawn ont and the CRATE set aside bat
the huge settle had been wrenchcd
free from the mantel ard dragged int
the center of the room. Rather pleas
ed at this change. for with all my APP
parent bravado | did not enjoy toe
close q proximity to the cruel hearth
stone. ! stopped to give this settle Z
thorough investigation. The result was
disappointing 10 all apprenticeship
did not spare it the experiment o.
many a thump and knock-it was per
feetly innocuous piece Of furniture
clumsy of build. but solid and absolute
I ~ devoid OF anything that could OK
plain tie tragedies which had occurrcI
50 near it. | even sat down on it,
musty old cushion and shut my eyes
but was unrcwardcd by alarming 81
sions or disturbance Of any sort. No
did the floor where it had stood yieI'
any better results TO the inquiring eye
Inspectins the
library fireplace
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