The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-07
CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.

The viscount had already risen and
rang the bell.
Bravo, little woman!" cried he.
Perhaps your, feminine wit will prove
O match for all their masculine ones"
He sent at once for the housekeeper
and directed her to take the young
housemaid, Gibson, who had seen the
ragged man, at once to the village,
and to find some pretext for seeing the
two men who were staying at the
Green Man. He told her merely that
he thought one of these men might
have been the burglar, but that she
was to keep these suspicious to her
self. q
SO the two women started off to-
gether to the village, and the master
of the house in his study, and the
governess in her nursery, awaited
their return with anxious hearts.
1t was dusk before Mrs. Brown and
Gibson came back across the fields.
Lord Catherington was too anxious
to wait till they reached the house.
He met them soon after they came in
sight, and at once asked the result of
the expedition.
You saw them-both the mem"
Yes, my lord" said Mrs. Bream.
"They were just starting to go away.
We watched them from the little shop
at the corner"
well, did you recognize either Of
them?" he inquired, sharply, Of the
younger woman.
The answer was a knell to his
hopes. There was no hesitation in
the girls face or voice as she said:
mo, my lord. I'd never seen either
of them before. Neither was a bit
like the ragged man I saw near the
house the day before you came back"
How can you be so certain, after
having only seen him once?" he
asked, searchingly.
Because they were so very differ
ent, my lord. One of the men I saw
to-day was quite young, and was
broad, and had heavy jaw and
Lord Catherington nodded. 1t was
an accurate description of the alleged
Godfrey.
1.-The other" went on the girl, "had
high cheek bones and little nose
and sort Of pinched look. And they
were both rather short; at least, they
were much shorter than the man ]
saw near the house that day"
Lord Catherington's face fell as she
ended. BY the clearness of her de-
scription he saw that she was pretty
accurate observer.
And now tell me exactly what the
ragged man was like" said he.
HE was tall and thin, and hat
longish hair and moustache ant
beard"
Gould you swear to him, do yor
think?"
I'm almost sure I could, my lord
I looked at him WE'LL
The viscount nodded and let then
go on to the house. Then, with one
hope the less, he returned himself
with slow steps, towards the house
which might prove not to be his afte
all. He valiantly resolved to bear hi
anxiety in stoical solitude. He dit
not even send for Ermyn, as his Gus
Ia III
amuse him with her prattle while h
dined.
But when he had eaten hurrie,
meal, and had taken few turns u
and down the long dining-room, h
suddenly yielded to temptation, an
dashing up the staircase three at
time, knocked sharply at the door o
the little schoolroom.
Come down and talk to me, or lie
me talk, for heavens sake!' said he
quickly, to Beatrice, who came to ope
the door and looked at him in sur
prise. IT can't stand being alone thi
evening. If you won't come I mus
go and sit in the stables"
"Of course I'll come" said Beatrice
softly, as she shut the door benin
her and went downstairs.
"You can play, / suppose ?" he sale
as he led the way into the long draw
ing-room, where a fire mad bee
lighted at one end
Eyes" saids Beatrice, going straigt
to the piano, which, however, prove
to be too much out of tune to b
played upon.
She ran her fingers over the key
and Lord Catherington stood quietl
with his back to the fire, while tn
footman who had rushed in on hear
ing his master enter the disused room
set light to couple Of dozen wa