Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-04-04

q va, about to ask you he then
went on. as Slime sunk back in his
chair. and drew a long breath, "if
YOU remember being sent for to the
Abbey about three weeks before Sir
Godfrey died II was late, about nine
O'Clock one evening
Slime shook his head decisively
Not me-" he said confidently.
"Sir Godfrey never would see me ex-
cept in the morning. and very sell
uom then"
He stopped suddenly, brought to
silence by a peculiar smile on Philip
Dyoe's pale face.
81 thought it likely that you might
have forgotten the incident; but ]
think l can bring it to your remem-
brance,
He. paused. and Slime leaned for
ward, watching the cold smile intent
II. What was coming? He knew
that he had never been so called to
the Abbey; and yet-and yet Philip
Dyce evidently wanted him to re-
member it.
NY memory is better than yours,
continued Philip, slowly. You were
sent for to the Abbey about nine
O'Clock at night on Tuesday, the I'd
of January. You remember the cir.
cumstance, because it was the only
time you ever saw Sir Godfrey in the
evening, and you know 1t was Tues
day, the I'd OF January, because you
marked it with pencil in your ac-
count book. Turn to the stock book
for that date. and you'll find the
mark
Slime sat with his mouth wide open,
and his eyes also.
"The account book" said Philip.
nodding at the old chest in which the
steward kept his books.
Mr.. Slime rose mechanically, un-
locked the chest, aud laid the stock
book on the table
The I'd of January in this year,
said Philip.
Slime slowly turned over the leaves.
Allow me. said Philip Dyce
He took the book. there was quick
fash of a gold pencil-case, then, hand
ing back the book, he said with
quiet smile:
There is the mark, you see"
Slime stared. Against the written
date was pencil mark.
7 see: yes, there's a mark he
said, in low, lnquiring, curious tone.
4 am glad you remember said
Walker. the coachman, who came for
you, wasn't it?"
Yes said Slime. as if rejecting.
sit was walker"
"An1 you and he went up TO the
Abbey together. 1t was nine O'Clock,
you remember, because you heard the
bells on the postcast horse. as it
came from the end Of the lane, and
it always passes just here at nine.
Always at nine" assented Slime.
We'll, then, of course sou remem-
Der going across the terrace, instead
Of though the hall. and Walker let
ting you into the library by the
French window You remember 1t,
because It was so strange, was it
not?"
VERY peculiar, asscnted Slime
once more
"You found Sir Godfrey seated in
his chair; he gave you good-evening
and-surely you remember the rest?7
Not very distinctly said Slime,
with an affectation of trying to strain
his memory.
Then must remind you still
furtf err said Philip
AID, bending still lower. he con
tinued, in a quick but lndistinct tone,
the strange Renaissance of the sec
oni of January. when Walker. the
coachman, came to fetch Slime to the
Abbey.
When he had hnished--and it was
not long before he had done So
Slime was leaningg forward with a
ghast,y palIor on his face. and his
gray Sits of eyes fixed staringly
above the clear-cut, sternly-set face OF
the speaker.
Now YOU remember everything, do
you not?" said Philip Dyce, with a
smile
Yes, everything" said Slime, In
a hushed voice
"And so of course would Walker, rs
added Philip Dyce; but. unfortunate,
ly, the poor fellow is dead"
Slime started.
YES" he said, unfortunately, he
is dead"
Well, then. suppose we go TO
business; it is very pleasant to have
quiet chat over old times. But |
came down tonight to ask you to give
a small subscription to the Iaborer's
Aid Society Half.a-guinea will do.
Just sign your name on this form
will you?"
And Mr.. Dyce took from beneath
his cloak a folded paper, and placed
it, still folded, on the table II was
of The usual shape Of subscription
papers
"Where?' said Slime, taking up a
pen from the ink-stand on the mantei-
shelf.
Here. just here" said Philip Dyce
pointing t go a small space left un
covered.
Slime squared his arms, then hest
tated.