The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-08-20
CHAPTER XIV,

oSdIEL I1duHtSus lett 5A-
eeedingly puzzled over his future course.
Resolved as he was to 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 that room.
| He noted it's 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
had been used to lower the body to the
ground.
| He had several times walked to that
window, as if medtating over his pa
TENTS case, and looked out, surveying
the ground below, and the distance from
1t to the lake, which was visible through
the trees. .-~.... .s.es.
From the house, which he visited daily
in his professional calling, he often drove
around, examining the stables and out
buildings and sometimes slowly went
|
and to see If by any means he could ever
effect an entrance.
One day, it was the one on which
Ethel started for the eventful walk, he
in such a drive noticed a small, we'll
trodden pathway leading up to clump
of bushes. Instantly the thought struck
him that behind those bushes, conceal
ed from view, might be an open passage
70 D1o ola he FoIA -
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-
tering 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-
FERROUS 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 Glendenning
gazing at him from an upper window,
and felt mortified that she should have
noticed his ride around the premises, as
conscience whispered it must speak to
her Of a prying nature.
Feeling, however, that it was done,
and could not now be recalled, he passed
on, and proceeded to visit the homes of
several sick persons who needed his ad-
vice and assistance.
On his return 1t was that he suddenly
heard wild shrek of terror, and looking
around, had seen Ethel in that dangerous
situation, while the nearing train told
| Of t1a death that OXvoitoJ how
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 1t was
Il hard to recall his truant thoughts to their
proper sphere, but with set teeth and a
firm resolve, he plunged into study, and
active work, in order to be at peace with
himself.
The great suffering of new patient
even detained him by his side until. after
midnight the second evening, and third
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 violent storm was ragingI This
storm was, strange to say, the first tina
!; had occurred in the evening since his
night voew of the haunted tower, and
its dancing demon, just five weeks be-
| fore.
: Not wishing to be seen by any of the
inmates, he did not venture out until af-
ter nine o'clock. Then the wild wind and
!; drenching rain served to retard his prog.
ress so much that it was full quarter tc
ten before he felt the worn pathway
/ and crept behind the clump of thick, wei
: bushes, where, once concealed from view
: he paused to 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
! 4 man could creep, and without hesita
ton in he went, landing directly upo1
] an old, but still passable floor.
Lowering his light, he paused to ex
: anime this floor, and found to his sur
prise, wet tracks upon 1t, that told plain
5 ly that very recent footsteps had passed
that way. Following these, the young
= man walked in q direct line across thu
D building, until he reached a door, which
= upon trying, he found to his chagrin, Sc
: eu@ly fastened.
? Even while he paused to reflect upol
! his next movement, distant footsteps fel
upon hts ear, just beyond the door, ant
r hurriedly he darted back, extinguishinl
his light rs he did SO.
!. Just in time was this movement made
for hand unlocked the fastening, open
e ed the%door, and there, to his unmitigat
: ed surprise, stood Ethel Nevergail, tn
= girl so much the object of his thought
: since that narrow escape of hers, with
: lighted candle in her hand, peering int
}, the darkness beyond.
b Had she seen him? he asked himself
creeping like thief towards this unfor
tunate house, and hearing his steps, ha,
she come to warn him away2
No! the thought was absurd, and h
soon saw that she came seeking merel
a covered basket, not observed until ther
+ standing just beyond the door.
How pale she looked, as he viewed TO
one moment her sad face and-yesl sure
+ ", those were tears that fell from he
i beautiful hazel eyes upon hex cheek.