Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-26

away OH his mission. AS there was
faint light burning in the hall, they
were not left entirely In darkness, a
fact for which they were thankful
when a few minutes later they heard
faint football approach, and beheld
sooner than they expected, the slight
and elegant form of Miss Aspnwall
descending the stairs, clad in loose
gown of fiowered silk. but otherwise
in the same trim in which Mr.. Degraw
had observed her early in the evening,
"Oh," she cried, hurriedly advanc'
Ing, "what has occurred?"
Mr.. Degraw, smiling. pointed to the
library, whose door stood invitingly
open.
"May we enter?" he asked
She looked first at the artist, then at
his companion.
"The house is not on fire. them" she
naively remarked.
And beckoning to James, who had
followed her at distance. she com
manded him to light the lamp on the
library table.
But the detective, coming forward
observed:
81 think would make no extra
lights. What we request-if you will
pardon the intrusion, madam-is leave
to watch this house | am Mr.. Grycc,
of the New York detective force, and
l have been led to think, from circum
stances unnecessary to state at this
moment, that one of your guests runs
some danger tonight from an unscru'
pulous man who has, or thinks he has
a motive for her death, If. therefore
you do not object TO my guardianship
l should like to play the part of hei
protector, n part which, rs this gentle
man here will tell you, Is no new one
for me to assume
"Ah. and this guest"
She only needed one look ut Mr.. De
graw to know who it was.
SIS Miss Rogers, no doubt
eyes. madam; a lady whom I have
not seen, but who claims my interest
| from her name and the peril in which
she stands"
"And does she share your fcarS:'
pursued the lady, with II side-glance at
Mr.. DeSraw, full of sympathetic feel.
ing.
Il think not" responded tn" latter,
eagerly. "Nor are my fears just what
they were a few hours ago, Miss AS
| pinwall. Then doubted Mr.. Dcgraw's
designs. now | doubt only those of his
valet. The former has proved himself
all we had a right to expect from Mr..
Morris recommendation, while the lat.
ter has given token of being n most
desperate villain. with intentions of the
worst. not only against his master and
myself, but against the innocent sig.
norma, who, as Miss Rogers. stands
as he supposes in the way of an abom.
Unable scheme of his by which he hopes
to reap an incredible amount OF
money"
His valet?" she repeated, "hls val
ct? do not know that remember his
valet. Is he the man that has made
the trouble in New York, of which you
have told me:'
I'VE think So"
"Using his masters name?
"No. That is, Mr. Degraw had some
doings with these young girls himself,
but they were not reprehensible ones;
OH the contrary. they did him honor, Ns
you will have the opportunity of juds,
| ing tomorrow when he explains him.
self. But his valet interfered with his
| designs and made trouble, and contcm.
| plates making more, probably upon
| this very night. 1t Is difficult for me
to make you understand all this in a
moment, but it is for the fellows sup
| posed interest that Miss Rogers should
not live till morning"
4 marked pallor, visible even in tho
dim light of this family illumined hall.
took the place of her usual healthy
color. She 1nstinctivclv drew nearer
the artist rs II to appeal to his rrotec.
tion; out bethinkinc herself, stepped
! back, and surveyed both gentlemen
with equal confidence and courage.
"And where is this william nowT she
asked.
1--WE cannot say; but we think he is
OH or near your grounds
II will call up Donald and Henry
and the coachman," she cried.
But Mr.. Grycc stopped her with a
gesture.
NO" he objected, Eve have our aids
without; all we need is place near
Miss Rogers door where we can watch
In silence for any danger that may ap.
proach her. l know the house is
locked" he exclaimed. as she opened
her lips to utter some word Of sur
prise or assurance But the plot OF
! which this valet is undoubtedly the
agent is deep one, and may involve
some totally unsupported person as an
accomplice. 1t is to save her from
such contingency that VIC propose to
sit up tonight. The valet will be
taken care of by those without"
II understand, or rather do not un.
derstand," responded Miss Aspinwall
but am willing to rely on the judg
ment of others wiser than myself. DO
what you think best. gentlemen. am
willing to trust to Mr.. Dcgraw's dis
cretion."
She drew back and waved her hand
coward the stairs. IF you think 1T in.
dispensable to watch Miss Rogers
door, will show you where it is. But
cannot do the watching for you?"
"You can do BETTER suggested the
artist. "You can take her into your
own room"
"That is true; will do that; she will
be safe there
10 be continued.