Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-02-18
XII,
"Ciivel"

OnC CLOCK
How time was flying. At two they
would arrive. All preparations rela-
tive to the journey were being made,
swiftly and n~oiselessly. Quick brains
wrought out the plans. issued orders
and decided doubts. Deft hands
obeyed.
Here and there moved Mr.. Lynn,
whispering to his men and intently In
tent on his own business. Once, when
MIR. Stack passed him, arm-in-arm
with a brother detective from London,
he chuckled hopefully and curiously to
himself.
Two o'clock!
And the hearse was at the door, the
carriages In line, the casket lid screw
ed down.
Half-past two! And the little cor
tege moved down the SOL
emn, gloomy procession.
Overhead the dull December day
still lowered broodingly. UnGerfoot,
the snow was thawing. and it splashed
the sleek horses at every step. Over
all, a shrill wind shrieked In spiteful
jubilance.
The bend Of the avenue was reached.
Round it swept the hearse, the nod
ding plumes, the funeral train.
The servants, watching from the
windows of the great house beyond.
sighed with relief as the last carriage
disappeared, threw open the shutters,
drew up the blinds and went about
their customary duties with voices a
little louder than usual, because SO
long %subdued.
Thus Cuthbert Bracken went forth
from B~lackcastle! About four O'Clock
a knock went echoing through the
house.
Cynthia Lennox, slowly ascending
the stairs, paused to look back as the
footman opened the door.
Miss Lennox," she heard Mr.. Bow
ers' smooth voice say, interrogatively.
My compliments to Miss Lennox, and
could see her for a few moments?"
He came into the hall, closely fol-
lowed by a stranger-a big, awkward
lout of a fellow, tanned and bearded
a sailor, undoubtedly. His dress and
bearing betrayed that.
Cynthia turned and retraced her
steps as she heard her name spoken.
Mr.. Bowers, you wished to see
me?"
MY dear Miss Lennox-yes. So It
is true, then, that the-ah, the re-
mains, have already been conveyed to
London?"
Eyes; the yhave gone"
Our trains must have crossed. I
had no idea they would proceed so
DON The first l heard OF it was from
the lodgekeeper, and | was amazed
positively amazed! However. that is
not what ! came down about. Keen as
is my regret at this unfortunate and
deplorable death of my honored client.
and eager as l am to see that death
avenged, still 1t Is unnecessary to ex.
plain to you that a lawyer and his
work are inssolubly bound together,
and that-ah-neither can stand still
even on an occasion SO mournful and
exceptional as this"
Inc FORMER can't, TO q certainty"
Cynthia said to herself, as the little
lawyer f1dgeted around In nervous i'm
p~ortance. Good gracious! what Is
the man driving at?"
But she only looked at him In hope
less mystifcation.
And so. anxious to determine the
identity of the new claimant OF the
Atherton estate as soon as possible. l
came down here to-day for that pur-
! pose"
"Oh. you didi" Cynthia agreed, con-
siderably enlightened. "How do you
propose to do so?"
The man of law compressed his lips
and knotted his brows into an I'm
presstvely profound expression Of
wisdom.
my dear Miss Lennox." he whis.
pered ponderously. 1T was Z most re-
markable-a most remarkable occur
renee. One might almost call II phe.