The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-02-23
By II. s. MARRIOTT WATSON

The nag WIS Il 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 | was bound for Raymond.
Encountering thus we agreed to make
a convenience of the locality. since
could not persuade him to turn back
with me, and we completed our con-
eerSation over a pint of ale at the lit
tie hostelry in Llanellan The transac-
ton was comprised in brief time, and
that finished l turned my horses head
fortnight for home.
As | drew near the park gates it
wanted little Of 4 by my watch. The
great lick by the stone pillars of the
gateway threw q black blot of shadow
across the drive. l 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
have said, lay dense shrubbery,
through which the little brook stream
ed over its pebbly bottom to the Wa
fApfa 10 1n..li nf
the hill. \ pathway ran circutOusly
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 was in no mood
to face Montgomery all at once,
struck into the ShruDbery and Saun-
tered quietly along the pathway. Sud
denly at a bend before me and slipping
softly round the elbow | beheld the
figure of a man, but it was gone ere
my senses were fully awake in that
Sultry afternoon. | stood still d mo-
ment. stirred somewhat strangely, and
then ran quickly to the corner. Peer
ing round, | caught sight of Il figure
stealing among the shrubs. 1t paused Il
moment and then, as it seemed u me,
slipped stealthily through the bushes
and disappeared.
The next instant | had recognized
Hood. There was nothing very remark
able in this, but what moved my blood
was a more cJ1iouS recognition. Swift
as the flight of swallow there darted
into my mind the recollection of an
other vision. | identified the memory
1t came back upon me with an odd
sense of perpleXity and still stranger
feeling of fear where and when | had
first encountered that lean and stPalthy
body had seen the man disappear il
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 on
L
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. | stood
bordering in Il state of excitement and
then. hastily turning about, ran i'll the
direction of the castle.
What was Holds business there? !
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 open
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 a generous
lunch. Leaving him for a moment.
ran upstairs and pushed open my door
silently As l did so there was an ex-
clamatiOn, and l entered and came
face to face with Captain Sercombe.
4 1,onx 1: