Middletown transcript., 1905-03-04

but really with the idea of discovering
how any one conIdAhave got mp o-the
stone ledge that ran under my bedroom
window. There seemed to be no possible
way without very long ladder, and even
then I doubted if the coping could be
reached, for it projected very unevenly.
Yet I felt certain that had not been de-
ceived. was convinced that had act
ually seen man at my window on the
previous night.
/ walked ON until / had skirted two
sides OF the house. I found that the
ledge terminated at the back where the
kitchen offices were situated. There was
kind Of courtyard on that side of the
house which was formed by two rows of
buildings - probably extra servants
rooms-which stood at right angles to
the main block.
In the courtyard found Roberts and
the girl who was Anne's assistant. They
we're deep in discussion, which came to
speedy end upon my appearance. The
girl seized her bucket and broom and
disappeared, and Roberts, touching his
cap to me, went down the courtyard. A
moment later heard him exclaim and
stop as if he saw something that surprised
him.
"Blest if the wall hasn't come down y
he exclaimed.
He was standing at a gap between the
out-buildings and the main block. The
space was partially filled with confused
heap Of bricks and stones. The discov-
cry almost stunned ME for moment, for
if that wall had united the two buildings
last night, it would have been perfectly
easy for any one to have climbed up TO
the roof Of the wing and SO to the begin
ming Of the ledge which ran round the
house, and most probably it was the ad-
ditional weight Of the climber that had
caused the tottering wall to collapse.
But in that case, what had become Of
the man? 1t was anything but pleasant
to think that lie might even then be in
hiding in the house, and | felt, as went
slowly back to the gardens, that I would
have given all my fortune to have seen
Sir Adans's tall strong form coming up
the avenue, or to have known that Father
or Nigel Buchanan was within calling
distance.
4 But that afternoon an event occurred
which drove all thought of burglars out
of my mind. I was painting glimpse
of the lake as seen from turn in the
| principal avenue, when the sound OF
wheels struck my ear. | looked up and
was astounded to see hired cab crawl
ing toward the house. As it passed the
fallen trunk upon which sitting, its oc-
cupant leant toward, and saw a shaggy
white head and pair of keen eyes set in
a swarthy face.
My astonishment increased when, some
time later, the cab returned from the
house empty. The stranger, whoever he
was, was evidently remaining at the
Court. | felt strangely excited. A visi-
tor would be novelty in that gloomy
house, and when tea-time drew near
went into the house with keen sense of
expectatian.
There were two or three portmanteaux
in the hail.. and as | put my paint-box
and hat on the table l saw that the ad.
dress, which was written in the flourish.
ing caligraphy OF a foreigner, was 'Signor
Sergali, Care of Lady Verriker." The
bags were covered with foreign labels
the Signor had evidently come from the
continent.
/ went into the drawing-room. Lady
Verriker was sitting in her customary
place before the Pembroke tea-table, and
the stranger was standing on the hearth.
rug. He was an old man, tall and thin,
and stopped great deal. He had q
swarthy face that contrasted oddly with
his upright white hair and pointed
moustache 1t would have been impos'
sible not to have recognized him as al
Italian. It was almost as evident that he
was not well-born one.
For some reason took an instructive
dislike to the Signor. There was some.
thing repugnant in his appearance in the
look which he shot at me from under
his shaggy brows, and especially in the
manner in which he spoke to Lady
Verriker.
II As approached, he addressed her in
Italian, OF which do not understand q
word but the tone was imperious to q
degree.
il glanced at her quickly, for wonder
ed if she resented his manner as much
as l did for her, and was struck by the
curious change that had come over her.
She was never animated at the best oi
times, but now she seemed to have be.
come mere automaton. who spoke and
moved with no volition of her own, bul
was impelled by some stronger will-power
"Ethel. may I introduce Signor Sergali
| TO you! size edlu. CuC spJkc NlcCilaill
cally and without expression, and Looked
past me into vacancy. "Miss Forthergil
-Signor."
He bowed, watching me intently the
while, and then made some remark in
Italian.
"The Signor does not speak English,
Lady Verriker said, as if she were trans
lating. "He is going to spend short
time here. He has just come from Italy
and-and he knew Sir Jasper-my hus
band"
made no remark. There was moth
ing for me to say, but as the Signor drew
forward chair for mean act of polite
ness which had not expected won
dered if it was because of her acquain
tance with Signor Sergaii that Lady Yer
riker had declared her detestation of for
eigners
TO BE Continued
WASHINGTON