The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-17
CHAPTER VIII.

The Torture of the Thumbscreyv.
The drive was long and wearisome: Just
before daylight broke they departed from
the high road 10 enter an avenue of
leahess Iarch trees, and IN the gray light
of dawn drew up at last before the ruins
of a grand old manor house built in the
best Elizabethan style, but long given
over 10 decay. Cressingham with much
surprise recognized the place as the prop
crty OF old Lord Sedgewick. a remote con-
nectiOn Of his family. and knew, there
fore, that he must be in Kent and not far
distant from the sea. The whole house
was dark, and seemed deserted. Oeltjen
led the way to the farthest door of the
left wing, which he opened with a latch
key Entering, they climbed by match
light a fight OF narrow winding stairs
and passed along a dusky corridor into d
large ouble-bedded room
Oeltjen lighted a candle and throwing
himself into a chair commenced at once
20 undress himself You must excuse
me" he remarked. but I'm dead tired
I have not rested these eight-and-forty
hours
But what am to do?" said Crossing
ham.
We'll, I can't say unless you follow my
example. There is no one in the place eN-
cept PerigOrd's servants and his prison.
ers. Perigord himself viii not arrive be
fore the evening"
Then why the dickens was [ brought
here?r
To insure your safety; you are a
marked man, my friend"
Cressingham stamped impauently to the
window and when next he turned TO
question bis companion found that Oelt-
len had got half-clothcd between tine
blankets and was already fast asleep.
With a muttered oath ne approached the
other bed and cast himself upon it. but he
was more weary than he guessed, and
presently forgot his discontentment in
dreamless sleep.
Tn the afternoon OeItjen aroused him,
and they wandered together through long
halls and stately but cobwebbed corri-
doris TO the kitchen on the lower floor.
where a servant in charge gave them cold
meat. bread, and cheese and q flask of
cider Afterward they endeavored TO ex-
ploTe the house, but soon tired Of that
dusty task Many rooms were locked.
but those unbarTed which they could en-
ter al told the one sad story Of desertion
and neglect Furniture Of massive type
and old-world structure and design there
was in plenty. but mOth-eaten. dUst-cov-
cred and deplorably decayed, while the
carpets simply TOtted on the floors Ii
was a spectacle To make "a careful house
wife weep, and Cressingham and OeItjen
We're filled with generous anger at the
shameful ruin that they saw They dis
covered at last in the ground floor OF the
right wing billiard room which was in
i slightly better state Of preservation and
bore traces of recent use. No doubt the
caretaker in his masters absence was
used 10 entertain the village champions
there. At any rate the table was fit 40
play upon, and several cues were TIMED
The two friends, glad OF such recreation.
whiled away the waiting hours in ami
able rivalry. Late in the evening they
dined Oh the remains of their lunch
other food there was none-aDd when AZ
about 10 O'Clock they heard the sound of
an approaching cavalcade they were IN
condition Of mind 10 welcome Satan
himself, so that he brought them Z. relief
from the dull silence of that sombre man
sion.
The newcomers proved to be Pcrigord
Col Elliott. the man Guillaume BelIair-
and a fourth, tail and heavily-beared
NCrSeman, who looked every inch a sailor.
Perigord gTavely saluted them, giving
CressIngham a word OF thanks: then he
n
Capt. Fagerholm. he called him
Col Elliott greeted Cressingham kind
~, but with a certain reserve Of manner
The old gentleman was a narrow-shouI-
cered. thin, and excessively sallow per
son; his face suggested a naggling liver
and chaleric disposition: just now he
was OF the qui viye Of anxiety and
in his struggle to appear calm and
unconcerned. his manner wes uncon-
sciously pathetic. and his yes con-
stantly appealed 10 one with the unspok-
en- words: Am I not quite a Spartan?
Please do not pretend TO think me over
anxious for the safety of my child Above
all, DO not pity me-" IN reality the
colonel, though quiciS-tempered was one
Of the kindest and warmest-hearted men
IN the world As they proceeded indoors,
Cressinghan, who was very fond Of him.
whispered in his ear: How have you
arranged about your servants and the
public regarding your daughters disap-
pearance?"
The coloneTs lip trembled as he replied.
I have not seen them. Perigord met M,
at the station and gave me the news. RE
made me write note to the butler saw
ing Francine was with me at Dover and
he took the note TO my house himself ana
explained matters; he was very kind. .
Cressiugllam whispered back: "sWho Is
Perigord, colonel?''
The Old man shook his head. 81 don't
know, although I have known him for
these ten years past Hes a right coed