Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-04-12

fool imagined the innkeeper was his
ally. ana dared not enlighten him for
our private reasons. Moreover, I do
not think that he would have paid me
any attention. He thought he knew
men. and as he had picked out Ser
combe for suspicion, and even now, as.
I understood, held warrant for bis
arrest. he had in the same obstinate
blindness marked Hood for confidence.
Nay. more; it turned out that the ex-l
valet must have poisoned his mind
against our party. What passed be-
tween them / have no means of guess
ing, nor what was the nature of the
suspicion he attached to us, but I be-
gan to see at once that we were lying
under a cloud. The news came to me
in a most unpleasant form with visit
of Mr.. Landell, the squire of the neigh
borhood and the justice whom we had
already seen.
Ostensibly he came to question US
upon Williams movements, but his
demeanor was such that it incriminat-
ed us. and ere he left he spoke frankly
in his mild and pompous way.
81 will not conceal from you, Mr..
Greatorex, he said severely, that this
is no light matter. The events circling
about the castle have become current
gossip. They have set the countryside
afame. No man has an mixing OF the
truth, but all suspect. should do
wrong not to inform You that you do
not come honorably out of these events.
There are black spots upon the specious
narrative you have sworn to. This
house is the center of disturbance. For
generations the Gwent has been as
peaceable as a garden, and of sudden
this breaks out, not once or twice, but
through a continuous chain Of mys-
teries. l hope do you wrong, but !
can conceive no answer to the problem
save in the house itself"
ssMy dear sir,s said I, forcing note
of sarcasm, for / liked the old man
very well, II can assure you you would
do we'll to trust to your detectives, OF
whom you say you are not one. | am
obliged for your kindly offices, which !
believe are well meant, but as have
legal mind you will excuse me if can
not follow you in your attempt to con-
found the criminal with his victim.
The castle is attacked by some scoun-
drels- apparently the castle is to
blame My man is murdered in the for
-forsooth, I am to blame. Upon
my soul, sir, begin to have some
doubts as to your qualifications for
your Office"
The old gentleman had no skill in re-
tort, and my sharp rejoinder, charged
as it was with logic, confounded him.
But though he made no defense, he
withdrew nothing of his statement and
departed with much ceremony.
Sheppard pulled a mock face I'VE
look like ending in an execution dock,
Ned he said. Il begin to follow your
arguments"
ooh, this is a trife," l answered inn
patiently, being yet under the sting Of
my abasement. "They have nothing
against us, and | can't control the
tongue of gossip, or wouldn't try. AS
we have come to conclusion, let US
get to work"
.That's sound advice" echoed Mont.
gomery cordially. Let US get on Ser
combe's trail"
eve must beat the event" said
Sheppard comically.
anyhow, let US do something"
cried in despair.
"yery well,'' returned Sheppard slow
~. ut is now within an hour of din
ner. What do you say to party Of
exploration after we have fortified our
stomachs and are comfortable. Strong
in the head, sound in the wind and in
domitable in spirit, l feel like making
a night Of it"
ssWe have bad precedent in our for
mer expedition remarked dryly.
"Oh, shut up, Ned he said ruefully.
Are we going on or not?'
s.Yes, you are right" / answered to
that protest. 81 beg your pardon. We
11<-,1 71osl5o1 70 rrc <,Y1