Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-02-08

suppose, TO mo superior VIM, ana /
had nc complaint to make Of him save
that he wearted me a good deal. he
himself, however. had a complaint,
for he was %grievously disappointed
that there had been no bloodshed. We
saw not n show Of a burglar, and l
fancy he thought me i'll his private
mind something of an impostor, which
possibly was the very reason which
made him strike up an acquaintance
with Sercombe. l certainly had no
pleasant fellow and so far as knew
harmless, and, moreover, life at the cas-
tie was not enlivening. But all the
same l was Il little annoyed to find
them upon such close terms with ODE
another.
The third day after Montgomery's
arrival | resolved to ride into Ray
mond to see the little lawyer, and.
mounting the black horse which had
come to me as part of my Inheritance,
I left the castle shortly before lunch.
The nag was a steady creature, though
not very handsome to the eyes. and
shortly l was upon the other side of
Llanellan and cantering down into the
long stretch of forest which lies to-
ward the little town. Here, as it chanc-
ed very oddly, whom should meet but
Greenstreet himself, driving out to the
castle upon the very point Of business
on which l was bound for Raymond.
Encountering thus we agreed to make
a convenience Of the locality, since l
could not persuade him to turn back
with me, and we completed our o.
yersation over a pint of ale at the lit
tie hosiery in Llanellan. The transac-
ton was comprised in a brief time, and
that finished I turned my horses head
fortnight for home.
AS I drew near the park gates it
wanted a little Of 4 by my watch. The
sun beamed sharply overhead, and the
great Hex by the stone pillars of the
gateway threw a black blot of shadow
across the drive. I headed the horse
across the sward, making for the sta
bles which lay among the farm build
ings to the north of the castle. Leav-
ing the animal in charge Of the handy
man, Williams, l walked back by way
Of the park, skirting the western wing
Of the building. Upon this side, as l
have said, lay q dense shrubbery,
through which the little brook stream
ed over its pebbly bottom to the wa
terfall upon the southern declivity Of
the hill. A pathway ran c~ircuitously
through this growth of laurel and box,
evidently Of comparatively recent orr
gin, and winding by several pretty
spots, bordered with the ~rivulet, final
ly emerged upon the boundary of the
park and joined a cross track from the
gateway by a leafy avenue of lines.
AS it was early and l was in no mood
to face Montgomery all at once, l
struck into the shrubbery and saun-
tered quietly along the pathway. Sud
denly at a bend before me and slipping
softly round the elbow I beheld the
figure Of a man, but it was gone ere
my senses were fully awake in that
sultry afternoon. l stood still a mo-
ment, stirred somewhat strangely, and
then ran quickly to the corner. Peer
ing round, l caught sight of a figure
stealing among the shrubs. 1t paused u
moment and then, as it seemed to me,
slipped s%tealthily through the bushes
and disappeared.
The next instant l had recognized
Hood. There was nothing very remark
able in this, but what moved my blood
yUaS n mana c11rin11c rnonrr;+in, C,--;f+
as the fight Of a swallow there darted
into my mind the recollection of an
other vision. 1 identified the memory.
1t came back upon me with an odd
of perplexity and a still stranger
feeling of fear where and when | had
first encountered that lean and stealthy
body. l had seen the mar disappear in
the same furtive fashion upon the
banks of the stream in the valley be-
low, and what had then arrested my
vague memory now also again attack
ed it, but this time with certain knowl-
edge. This was the man who had been
with Mr.. Kesteven upon the day Oh
which l had first encountered him in
the wood.
The fact astounded me, thrilled
through my warm limbs to the very
marrow of my bones. And yet it seem
ed too absurd to be accepted on the
spur of a moments fancy. l stood
bordering in a state Of excitement and
then, hastily turning about, ran in the
direction Of the castle.
What was Holds business therey T
asked myself the question without the
assurance Of an answer. There was re-
ally but little to arouse my suspicious.
and yet | was agog with curiosity.
entered the castle courtyard and OMEN
ed the door Of the dining hall. The first
object that met my eyes was Mont
gomery %sprawling upon the table and
stertorous with drunken sleep. Plates
We're laid for two, and empty bottles
upon the table testified to Il generous
lunch. Leaving him for a moment. 7
ran upstairs and pushed open my door
silently. AS l did so there was an OK
clamation, and I entered and came
face to face with Captain Sercombe.
IT.