Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-06

u
receives word that her father.has died in an old
specter Of an Cd moaE ~aic saunss dt the place
~ his will the castle Is to g tP her In case she
uncle Petro de Castro. who IL to receive a large
Request IL Helen complies With the will. She
8sks Druce's advice.
IT wonder whom he iss going to meet,
she said, glancing out ofsthe window and
watching his figure as he walked down
the street. He told me when he first came
that he had an interview pending of a very
important character. But, there, must not
keep you, Mr.. bruce; you are also a very
busy man. Before you go, do tell me what
you think of the whole thing. certainly
cannot live at the castle while that ghast-
ly face is unexplained, but at the same
time do not wish to give up the prop
erty.'
You shall live there, enjoy the property
and be happy" I answered. II will think
over everything; am certain we shall see
way out of the mystery
l Wrung her hand and hurried away.
During the remainder of the evening this
extraordinary case occupied my thoughts
10 the exclusion of almost everything else.
l made up my mind to take 1t up. to set
every inquiry on foot, and, above all things,
to ascertain If there was a physical reason
for the apparitions appearance; in short, If
Mr Sherwood's awful death was for the
benefit of any living person But / must
confess that, think as / would could not
see the slightest daylight until remem-
bered the curious expression of De Castro's
race when he spoke of his appointment
with lady. The man had sundoubtedly his
weak point; he had his own private person
al fear What was it's nature?
made note of the circumstance and
determined to speak to Vandeleur about it
when Ishad chance.
morning nf fha IF
our agency called. He and 1 had a long
talk over business matters, and when he
was leaving he asked me when l wished to
take my holiday
IF you like to go away for fortnight
or three weeks, now is your time, was
his final remark.
answered without a moments hesitation
that l should wish to so to Portugal and
would take advantage of the leave of alb
sence which he offered me-
NOW, 1t had never occurred to me to think
of visiting Portugal until that moment but
so strongly did the idea now take possession
OF me that l went at once to the Cecil and
had an interview with De Castro. l told
him that l could not fulfill my promise to
Miss Sherwood without being on the spot,
aha r nn1n,a tner , accompany him
pressed genuine delight, and before we part
ed we arranged to meet at Charing Cross
on the morning after the morrow / then
hastened to Putney to inform Helen Sher-
To my surprise l saw her busy placing
different articles of her wardrobe in large
trunk which occupied the place of honor in
the center of the little sitting room.
What are you doing?'' l cried.
She colored.
You must not scold me- she said
There is only one thing 70 do and L made
up my mind this morning to do 1t. The day
after tomorrow / am going to Lisbon
mean to investigate the mystery for my
SELF
You are good brave girl j cried.
But listen. Helen; it is not necessary
l then told her that I had unexpectedly
obtained few weeks holiday, and that
1 Intended to devote the time to her ser
vice, ...-s- -,.-+ ---z-.@-.s..tr-
Better and better" she cried. IT go
with you. Nothing could have been planned
more advantageously for me-"
What put the idea into your head?' /
asked
ut Isn't my own she said '-afI spent a
dreadful night. and this morning soon after