The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-30

ready whenever you wish 10 retire"
l looked about in search OF a clock
There are no timepieces In the
house Mr.. Glenarm. Your grand
father was quite opposed 10 them He
had theory. sir. that they were CON
ducive. as he said. TO idleness He con =
sidered that man should work by his
conscience, sir, and not by the clock
the one being more exaoting that the
other"
smiled as 7 drew out my watch
as much at Bates solemn tones and
grim lean visage as at his quotation
from my grandsire. But the fellow
puzzled and annoyed me His unobtru-
sive black clothes, his smoothly
brushed hair his shaven face, awak-
ened an antagcnism in me-
Bates. II you didn't fire that shot
through the window, who did-will you
answer me that7"
yes, sir II didn't do II, it's quite
large question who did I'll grant you
that, sir"
! stared at him. He met my gaze
without flinching; nor was there any
thing insolent in his tone or attitude
He continued:
81 didn't do IL. sir. was in the pantry
when / heard the crash I'm she refectory
window The bullet came from out OF
doors, as | should Judge. sir"
doubtedly with Bates and | felt that
had not acquitted myself creditably in nv
effort to fix the crime on him My abuse
OF him had been tactlass to say the
least, and ! now tried another line OF at
tack
"Of course, Bates, was merely joking
What's your own theory Of the mstter2"
II have no theory. sir, Mr. glenarm al
ways warned me against theories He
said-if you will pardon ne--there was
great danger I'm the speculative mind"
The man spoke with a SliSh. Irish ac-
cent, which in itself puzzled me- l have
always been attentive 10 the peculiarities
OF speech. and his was not the brogue OF
the Irish servant class. Larry Donovan,
who was English born, used on occasions
an exaggerated Irish dialect that was
wholly different from the smooth liquid
tones OF Bates. But more things than his
speech were 20 puzzle me IN this man.
The person In the cancer How do you
account for herr" I asked.
II haven't accounted for her, sir
There's no women on these grounds, or
any sort OF person except ourselves"
But there are neighbors peo-
pie OF some kind must live along the
lake"
"A few, sir: and then there's the school
quite bit beyond your own west wall"
His slight reference 10 my proprietor
ship. my own wall,as he put II. pleased
me.
''Oh. yes; there Is a schoolgirls yes
Mr.. Pickering mentioned t. But the girls
hardly paddle on the lake q night. at
this season-hunting ducks--should you
say. Bates2"
IL don't believe they 10 any shooting
Judge, sir from all accounts"
Mr.. Glenarm. It's pretty strict school,
And the teachers-they are all
women7'
They're the Sisters OF st. Agatha. I
believe they call them. I sometimes ser
them walking abroad They're very nuiet
neighbors. and they go away In the sum
mer usually, except Sister Theresa The
schools her regular home. sir. And
there's the little chapel quite near the
wall. the young minister lives there: and
the gardeners the only other man on the
grounds"
So my immediate neighbors were Prot
estant nuns and school -girls. with chap
lain and gardener thrown I'm for variety
Stll. the chaplain might be a social re-
source. There was nothing I'm the terms OF
my grandfather's will 10 prevent my cul-
tivating the acquaintance of a clergyman
~ even occurred 20 me that this might
be a part OF the game: my soul was 10 be
watched over by a rural priest. while.
there being nothing else 20 do, 7 was 20
give my attention 20 the study of archi.
lecture Bates. my guard and housekeper.
was brushing the hearth with deliberate
care
SHOW me my CELL said, rising. "and
I'll go 90 bed.
(To be continued tomorrow.)