The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-08-20
CHAPTER XIV.


eyes TO attend ~ the task before her.
CHAPTER XIV
After DR. Elfenstein had asked per
mission of Sir Reginald Glendenning to
search the Haunted Tower he felt ex-
ceedingly puzzled over his future course.
Resolved rs he was 10 penetrate the mys
terry of that place, he could not under
stand how the thing was to be accom-
plished.
In all his visits to Sir Reginald, al
though reserved in manner his every
nerve had been on the alert. He had
been told that the room occupied by the
present baronet was the one where Sir
Arthur had met his sad fate. Knowing
this. he fairly studied chat room
He noted its width, height and
breadth; the height of the two windows
from the floor, the size of those win
dows. and particularly he noted the one
from which the rope had dangled that
Ind been used to lower the body to the
ground.
lie had several times walked to that
window, as if meditating over his pa
tents case. and looked out surveying
the ground below. and the distance from
ii to the lake, which was visible through
the trees.
From the house. which he visited daily
in his professional calling. he often drove
around. examining the sta bles and out
buildings. and sometimes slowly went
around the tower to view the ruined part
and TO see if by any means he could ever
effect an entrance.
IN dow tha b
Ethel started for the eventful walk. he
in such a drive noticed a small, we'll
trodden pathway leading up to a cump
OF bushes. Instantly the thought struck
him that behind those bushes. conceal
ed from view, might be- an open passage
to the place, although he felt certa
there was no doorway. The more he
thought of this the more he was sure it
must be the case.
Why that well used path through the
grass if not for some such purpose? Yes;
some human feet were in the habit of en-
tcring there. and he resolved to return
to the place. under cover of darkness,
! and investigate those bushes.
Full of this discovery. and full of hope
! that he might yet penetrate to the mys-
terious tower. he touched his horse with
| the whip and drove hastily away.
| But just as he emerged again into the
ramble. he saw Miss Belle Glendennng
! gazing ut him from an upper window,
| and felt mortified that she should have
noticed his ride around the premises. AZ
conscience whispered it must speak to
her of a prying nature.
Feeling. however, that il was done.
anL could not now be recalled. he passed
on. and proceeded to visit the homes of
several sick persons who needed his sd-
! vice and assistance.
On his return il was that he suddenly
heard a wild shrek of terror. and looking
| around. had seen Ethel in that dangerous
situation. while the nearing train told
of the death that awaited her, Springing
to the ground. he had rushed to her as
! sistance. and had Wrenched apart those
| stiff fasteningS and drawn her from her
peril.
After he had left her at the Hall it was
hard to recall his truant thoughts to their
proper sphere, but with set teeth and q
firm resolve, he plunged into study, and
active work, in order to be at peace with
himself
The great suffering of a new patient
even detained him by his side until, after
midnight the second evening. and a tn rd
time had night folded the earth before
relief came TO the weary one, and Earle
Elfenstein was AT liberty to pay the
lonely ruin the desired call
Then a violent storm was raging This
atorm was, strange 10 say. the first that
had occurred in the evening since his
night voew Of the haunted tower, and
it's dancing demon, just five weeks be
fore.
Not wishing to be seen by any of NE
inmates, he did not venture out until af
ter nine o'clock. Then the wild wind anG
drenching rain served To retard his prog
ress so much chat il was full quarter tc
ten before he felt the worn pathway
and crept behind the clump of thick, we
bushes. where. once concealed from view
he paused 10 light a small dark Lantern
he had wisely brought with him.
BY the aid of this he proceeded to ex
anime what only seemed a dull. blank
wall. Close inspection. however, reveal
ed a large stone that was loose, which
he easily drew forth. making a clean
unobstructed passageway, through which
man could creep. and without hesita
ton in he went, landing directly upor
an old. but still passable floor.
Lowering his light. he paused TO az
anime this door. aud found to his sur