The Washington times., 1905-12-17

lie would come gladly enough. But
do not think the Heidelberg authori
ties would sanction his departure on
so vague journey. No, I am afraid
MosseI is out of the question"
What OF Reski? / saw him find the
body of his son; he would travel to the
worlds end II it brought a chance to
meet the murdered.
The very man. ! thank you. Cousin
Robert"
And SO IL was settled We were 10
send Il telegram to the Polish inn
keeper next morning If he agreed to
our request money would be forwarded
in time for him to meet us in London.
where he would take up his duty as
escort TO DR.. Weston and his daughter.
Remember. please that your desti-
nation is secret" said Graden. as we
made our adieus. There must be no
leaving of indiscreet addresses. DR..
Weston; no explanatory letters to old
friends. Miss Mary
My father and I've understand
she said. looking him gravely in the
eyes. And so we passed out into the
starlight
Ihey were pleasant days that follow
ed-days that seemed to me the hap-
with the events Of that terrible pur-
suit which gave them their perfection?
80 L argued at the time. Yet each hour
l knew more clearly that It was Marv's
bright eyes that warmed the winter
sunshine. and Mary's presence that
gave the beauty 70 that wild. inhos-
pitable coast
OF mornings we walked together
on the cliffs; and as night drew in.
plotting out the gray wastes Of the
channel seas. we Joined Graden and
her father in the little parlor, listen
ing to the talk of those two great
hearted, simple men On the second
day Reskfs answer came accepting
the trust we offered. Then for 2
week there was no news from the
outside world TO trouble us. and no
incident at Polleven TO remind us of
our danger save one, which. insignia
cant though II seemed, 1 do right to
set il before you.
AS l have mentioned. a narrow dell
or goyle." as the West country folk
would have ii. ran between the cot
taSe and the sea 1t was ruinous
place in the winter time, sprinkled
with trees knotted and bent under
years of conflict with the winds and
OF gorse. In the summer II was
doubtless. pleasing enough: but in
that December weather il seemed
shrfveled and forlorn. Indeed. it was
, not spot We greatly favored.
1t was about o'clock on a Satur-
DAY afternoon, the fifth day of our
visit, that Miss Weston and entered
1t from the seaward side. We had
taken sharp walk to the. Bredairs
Strand, where the famous caves are
situated, and were returning to tea.
We came upon them at an angle OF
the thicket-a man and a woman
seated on fallen log in eager con-
Versation- Miss Weston held up n
warning hand to me. with amuse-
ment twinkling in her eyes.
''Oh. Mr.. Harland," she whispered
and at her age, too,'
Why. who was it?" / asked. for
their backs were turned toward US.
Don't you see? 1t is Martha. our
housekeeper. She is five and forty if
she is day. Fancy Martha with
young man of her own, | wonder
who It can be-"
Whereupon she fairly gave way to
her merriment in a low ripple of
laughter. it was loud enough to
reach the ears of the pair before us
for they started 10 their feet. the
woman facing round boldly with
flaming cheeks, while the man, after
one swift glance. dropped back a step
and stood shamefacedly. with down
cast eyes. Miss Weston nodded to
Martha ard we passed on up the
track.
'oh! 1 am very. very sorry she
cried 20 me when we were out of
man is only after her savings. What
a silly old dear she is
He seemed about the ayarapa in
bashful rustics." answered her.
He Is one of the worst men I'm the
village-a drunken loafer. who never
leaves the inn bar until he is almost
starving. wonder at Martha, for.
besides his reputation. she knows
"What?' ! asked. for she had
stopped with little shiver
They say in the village that Penru-
man-for that is his name-acted as a
sort Of servant TO Prof. Marnac while
ne was AZ Polleven- AT least l know
that Penruman brought us messages
from him twice. and once he came
with book that had been lent to
father"
Was Penruman courting Martha
then?"
Il don't know, Mr. Harland; but this
IS the first time I've seen them to-
gcther. Please don't say ANYTHING
more about it, l Will have "A talk to
Martha privately. and see if 1 can Dur
some sense into her silly head"
AS L was walking back TO the inn
before dinner | caught sight OF Penru-
man coming out OF the village post
Office. He slouched away up "A side
street at sight of me. You may think
me dull. but 1 had no suspicion of the
truth
II | had only known.
We ali travelled TO London together,
taking rooms for the night at the
Charing Cross Hotel: for. though Gra-
den had chambers in the Albany. he
preferred that we should not be sep
arated- IL was here that Reski joined
us. Sorrow had burnt its mark upon
the Polish innkeeper. His thin. hand
some features We're yet moro drawn;
and. though his cOurtIy manner was
unchanged. an alien ferocity lurked in
his dark. reflective eyes. 1t would nor
go well with the murderer OF his only
son II he should meet him face 10
To-