Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-21

hurried ring at the bell to be answered.
He had :. book in his hand The other
came immediately after him, stepped
quietly by his chair and did not stop
to ring at all Both went toward Mr..
Degraw's room.
"Twor'
The artist looked amazed. The de.
tective turned up his fcrule and nodded
at it.
And when did these men come out"
why, they have not come" the old
man answered. II have set here on
purpose to watch. ] was going to ask
them their business when saw them
again"
"A fine watch dog. that" murmured
Mr.. Gryce. sarcastically. Then With
n kindly bow: "They were both young
men. | take it?'
"Oh. yes. young fellows. not Mr.. De-
eraw's kind but well enough
81 see, see. Come. Mr.. Degraw. our
business takes us further" And Mr.
Gryce descended the two steps leading
to the walk while saying: Your win.
dow points toward the west, ! see.
Probably the latter man followed the
first out OF 1t into that skirting Of trees
that leads up the hill side. We will let
them take care of themselves. We
have other matters on hand just now"
But" objected Mr.. Degraw, as they
passed out of the gate into the broad
street of this beautiful village. who Is
the second man? or rather the first?
for it looks as if the latter is the de.
tective."
at could not have been Mr.. De.
graw" suggested Mr.. Gryce.
"No; left him behind me at Miss
Aspinwall's."
"An agent of his, then?"
POSSIBLY"
"With an errand Of death"
ut may be-"
(which was defeated by Mr. Byrd"
1.-THE valet is not Mr.. BYRD" TIE
artist again declared.
"You stick to that:'
always"
"Remember Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
and stick to nothing, especially where
it is a question wherein the Disgusting
of a detective is conccrned,' Mr.Gryce
somewhat sentcntiously observed.
And yet. as they proceeded and more
of the particulars connected with the
late occurrences came to light unGc,
his skilful questioning. it seemed from
his manner and the frequency with
which he turned up his ferulc to look
at it, rs if he were not without his
own secret doubts, though in just
what direction they pointed 1t would
have been hard to tell When they
reached the hotel Mr.. Gryce stopped.
!'Lct me do this business myself"
said Mr. Gryce; and leaving the only
too willing artist on the piazza. he went
in and had his little talk with the
clerk Shortly he came out.
"Mr Degraw and his man are neither
of them in. This We expected. | shall
What will you do?"
wait. too. The piazza Is dark
enough to conceal anybody's identity.
| will sit here, and If you see fit to
acQuaint me with the result of your
interview, well and good, shall know
how to be grateful
"That l do not doubt observed the
detective. II have no objections to
your remaining here. In fact. | prefer
II. But do not think of accosting Mr..
Dcgraw or his man. We have deli.
cato matter here to handle, and 1t will
not bear the least Interference
do not fear; | shall not bulge from
my corner
Very WELL then. You will hear from
me again"
lie went IN. and the artist settled
himself for long and tedious hour of
waiting. AS the clock struck ten, he
heard the notes of n fine baritone voice
disturb the quiet Of the night. and the
next moment saw Mr.. Degraw's fine
form come up the steps. cross the
piazza. and enter the house by the
largo front door.