The Holly chieftain., 1904-03-25
JOHN SHARP"

|
DR.. Cartwright did not return home
by the first trair next day. The mere
mention, on his part, of such pur-
| pose being secuted as preposterous
by his entertainers.
| Il thought you spoke of three days
at the least as the length of your
! visit said his host: "and | want to
have long talk with you today If
you don't mind"
Mind" saic the doctor. its just
what l should like
They were at breakfast when this
occurred, and the morning paper had
| just been brought in. Ted Burritt
had been glancing over its columns in
a careless way. with the air of one
who feels certain that they are not
likely TO contain anything to interest
him. when, turning the sheet, his at
tention was accidentally caught and
held by something which appeared
among the advertisements. There he
sat. his month slightly open, and q
vivid spot, caused by excitement or
some other feeling, on each cheek
| Anything; very remarkable in the
paper this morning?" asked the doc.
tor. with an atfectation OF indiffer.
ence; but noticing every change in
the countenance before him from be,
hind his sCectacles. This remark re.
called the other to himself He seem
ed annoyed that he had betrayed his
feelings so openly, and crumpling up
the paper, threw it on one side before
answering: Nothing whatever. There
is absolutely no news worthy of the
name!"
Now thought the doctor. as he
deliberately telling an untruth, or
what? Oh, certainly! l must get to
the bottom of this." Aloud he merely
observed. There never does seem to
be muth in the papers nowadays.
Now, Wlen | was in the 47th, etc"
Notwithstanding this last remark, he
did not forget to take an early oppor.
tunity of examining the paper.
Il wish | had noticed which page
it was" he said to himself, as he ran
his finger down each column in sue
cession. But don't see anything like.
ly to account for the boys's peculiar
behavior. Oh, here you are" as the
door opened. Think of the devil,
you know, and - Hullo! you looL
very much excited about something.
| What is it?'
II am excited was the answer
and you'll be excited, too, when you
| have heard all | have to say"
DR.. jeremiah stared at the young
| man in astonishment. Then, AN
| right" he said, fire away and aston.
| .sh me as much as you like"
Not here" he answered, II want
| you to come with me to the room that
was my fathers study, and where
we shall be sure of not being disturb
| ed. as I keep the key myself, aud
never allow any one to enter it."
They crossed the hall; Ted unlock
ed the door; they entered, and he loci.
ed it again behind them.
Dr. Cartwright looked round him
with considerable interest He MOTTO
ed the dust, now lying thicker than
ever upon every object, small AMI
great. He busted chair with his
pocket handkerchief before venturing
to sit down. Then he took off his
spectacles and polished them care
fully. Now" he said, as he settlei
himself. I'm quite ready to be aston.
ished."
You asked me a moment or two
back whether | had found the other
nan?' said Tcd-"m Gaming, of course,
the murderer. | have"
Quite sure?' said the doctor, sti.l
preserving his equanimity.
II will give you the whole story
frCHI the day we parted. You know
III at went before"
/ 'ngan with the account of the
burnt er; and the little doctor lis!
sened wi,h an interest he found i'm
possible To disguise. Its a sad pity
it should have been so nearly deg
,royed." was the first remark he
made, because, Of course, it is i'm
possible to tell now what the rest
Of the contents might have been"
ITO be COntinued.)