The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1905-12-15

what IS more. had gwen me n huge
appetite. The result was that | ate
heartily OF lunch, which was delicately
served by the agreeable old housekeep-
| err. Mr.. Kesteven also seemed 10 rally
his appetite. for lie had eaten but little
the previous evening. and drank good
deal of brown sherry. in which he jest
ingly invited me to join him. But
was for the sour or perfumcd claret,
which ! found much TO my palate.
Whether II was the sherry or not, my
hosts tongue piled very continuously
during the meal, but always In the
most possessed and civil manner. He
| spoke of his house, of his ancient de-
scent (Which was as ancient as the
castlel and finally Of himself. The Kes-
tevens had been people Of note IN 9TH
or centuries, had boarded gains and
fulfilled the pomp even of courts. had
auttered briefly and very brightly md
In various characters across the stage
of history. But now they were dwin-
died to this one old feeble man. The
race had lost its physical vigor. From
contrasting tournaments, fighting bat
ties and intriguing against courts II
had come to philosophizing over life
between four walls. And then, falling
silent for a time, he inspected his fin
ger nails and suddenly ard after
space rose and pushed back his chair.
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Greatorex,"
he said, with a gesture of apology. II
had not noticed you have not finished.
Pray forgive my dlscourtesy"
OF course put myself at his dlspos-
al, for, In truth, had eaten and drunk
quite enough. But, seeming not to
hear me, he looked upon the table, and
at last, raising his eyes to mine and
playing gently, but scarcely In nerv-
GUS fashion. with the forks before him,
he said very quietly:
Il have had the honor of your &C.
quaintance for some twenty hours, Mr..
Greatorex. 1t Is little two men may
know Of each other In so brief time
But l am wont to take quick cogni-
zance or people and content 10 risk "a
mistake. You have. IL you will forgive
me saying so, an admirable habit of ST.
lence" He paused, and. as If 1t had
been TO Justify his sentence, held my
tongue. "A recluse like myself-that
Is how you would style me-" he re-
sumed, must have some occupation
for his thoughts. have explained that
| am no student II follows that I
have some other hobby-shall we say?'
A ghost of a smile glttered on his
face and then his head turned sharply
toward a window which overlooked
the courtyard. There was the sound
Of footsteps upon the rough cobble.
II am about 10 disclose to you, Mr..
Greatorex. the secret of my seciuslon"
rose with him. strangely Influenced
by this solemn scene. Was II really
solemn. or was II the mere within OF
old age. the pompous revelation of Sc
nile eccentrlcity? followed him down
the stone passage TO the eastern wing
II the castle. Fifty PAGES farther
brought us to the entrance TO the keep.
but dozen yards from this Mr.. Kes-
teven paused and, turning the key In
heavy oaken door, entered room OF
considerable size, which, as you will
zoe, looked forth upon the back part of
the park from the second floor. Like
all the chambers In that ancient build
ing, IL was paneled with oak.
The room was devoid of furniture
save for a rickety chair or two and
was wholly destitute Of carpet. so that
our feet rang loudly upon the stone
floor. II seemed TO me at that mo-
ment, and with the odd preparations
for that mission, that was, so TO speak,
upon the very edge of n mysterious dis
covery. Mr.. Kesteven placed chair
against the wall and, stepping upon it
with difficulty. raised his hand till il |
touched the topmost panel near the |
window. There followed a slight creak.
and the panel slid back, disclosing q |
dark and vacant space in which could |
dimly discern the separation of shelves. !
My host had but dropped his fingers !
into the recesses OF this cupboard when |
n faint noise caught his ears, and he
turned abruptly. | had followed him
into the room, and the door stood |
open. But / turned now with him and |
followed the direction of his gaze The |
man Hood stood forward in the door
way with an apologize air. Mr.. Kes-
teven's hand dropped sharply. and with
Il certain brusQueness he demanded. |
What do you wantT