Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-06-17
BY Prof. VIM. Henry Peck.
CHAPTER [.
Author Of the "Tse Stone cutteS
OF Lisbon" Etc.
I'M EAvEs-DRorPEES

Il
broker. entered his house on Blank
street. and proceeded 20 his library.
He was tan. thin man. fun fifty
years old. and with a hard. dark face,
deeply marked with care and schem-
ing
Seating himself NJ his desk. he be-
gan to read from a paper which he had
drawn up with great care during the
day. when he was disturbed by the en-
trance of his housekeeper.
''You might have knocked. Mrs. Har-
ker." said Hammond. snapplshly. and
sliding the paper into a drawer.
Il came like a cat that the mice
might not hear" said Mrs. Harker. a
thin and sallow-faced woman. speaking
in a whisper that did not hide the
natural sharpness OF her voice.
Come speak plainly" said Ham
mond. wheeling his chair 20 face her.
"You remember the young carpenter
who repaired that deskF" replied Mrs.
Harker
"Nes-yCu mean James Greene. What
OF HING Has he come for his hammer7
Why didn't you give II TO him? 1 told
you
Wont you wait. Luke HammondT
said Mrs Harkcr. You're 4 hasty
fool. with an your smartness. James
Greene hasn't been here to-day for his
hammer-hcs forgotten all about it.
suppose. But don't YOU think some
thing else than a hammer might draw
him hcrc"
What else2 Tell me what you want.
and then so about your business said
Hammond
isn't there something in this house
young man would like better than a
hammer There's Miss Elgin. now
whispered Mrs Harker
All, You don't mean TO hint that
James Greene has been here to-day 10
see my nieces" said Hammond. rising
quickly and growing white.
That's what I mean. James Greene
has been here this morning. and he
and Miss Elgin had a long talk I'm the
parlor."
He hast The impudent rascal.
What can he and Miss Elgin have in
common? Why did YOU let him ia.
Why didn't you turn him outg'
iii ten YOU what they have IN com
mon" whispered Yrs. Harkcr. drawing
nearer. and pushing her sharp face
close 20 HammOnd's. Miss Elgin has
taken q desperate fancy 10 James
Greene and he TO her. She let him in
at the front door-she must have beer
watching for him. FOR he was in the
parlor talking TO her before I knew
anything about it,"
Il VIII not believe Il. What. Kat,
Elgin. my niece. take a fancy 20
poor carpenter journeyman. tOO.' eX
claimed Hammond. why. it's only
three weeks since he repaired tha
desk. and Miss Elgin saw him but TO
moment"
"She's met him often since. anC
don't you speak so loud or they'll hea,
you"
They? who?" demanded Ham
mond.
James Greene and Miss Elgin
They're in the parlor now" said Mrs
Harker
Fool, why not tell me so at once
exclaimed Hammond. IN so and OF
der rim out this instantr'
"Hasty again. Luke Hammond sal
Mrs. Harker. placing her back to III
door. Hadn't you better creep o
them. and see il they aren't talkin
about something else than love ma
terSs"
Mrs. Harker'S eyes seemed so full {
mystery that Hammond paused. an
grew as white as a sheet.
t-sOmething-elser' he stan
mered
Yes; / heard her tell him she wan
ed his aid in finding out what max,
those groans and noises in the easter
part OF the house sometimes"
But she has always believed tn;
part of the house haunted. have mae
her think So" said Hammond.
'Wen. James Greene has too mug
sense 10 believe ia ghosts" repliC
Mrs. Harker. Miss Elgin has TO
him about the strange noises. and J
has laughed at the idea of ghosts al
such like. and so they are putting the
heads together TO master the myster
Now. If they do that, LUXE Harmon
you and l had better begin TO 10,
for hiding-place"
flush. woman; walls have ears
said Hammond, greatly agitated. ="
Miss Elgin is once alarmed. she W
never stop until she has satisfied d,
self. But come-we must hear wh
they are saying"
down. round by the back stair.
this way" whispered Mrs. Harker.
she passed into the hall. They q