Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-01

The hotel groom went to the
horses head. He did not hear the
barrister's question:
II suppose you and your cousin
Quilted Mrs Eastham's house by that
side door and entered the park
through the wicketT
Yes" assented Hume. though
fail to see why you should hit upon
the side door rather than the main
entrance"
because the ballroom Is built out
at the back. 1t was originally gran
airy. Tho conservatory opens into
tho garden on the other side. AS
there was large number of guests.
Mrs Eastman required all her front
rooms for supper and extra servants,
30 she asked people to halt their car
riages at the side door. ! would not
be surprised II the gentlemcns
cloak room was provided by the sad
die room there, whilst the yard was
carpeted and covered with an
awning"
Brett ratified on in this way, heed
less Of his companions blank amaze
ment, perhaps secretly enjoying It.
Hume was so taken aback that he
stood poised on tho step OF the vehi-
clio and forgot to slip the reins into
the catch on the splashboard.
Il told you none of these things, -
he cried.
"Of course not They are OBJ
vious. But tell this good lady that
We are going TO the Hall"
Both the main gate and wicket
we're fastened, and tho lodge keeper $
wife was gazing at them through the
bars.
Hello, Mrs. Grove. don't you
know me?" cried Hume.
MY gracious, it's Mr.. David"
gasped the woman.
Why are the gates locked?"
Mrs. Capella is not receiving vis-
ltors. sir"
as she ill?"
mo, sir Indisposed, l think Mr..
, Capella said"
We'll, she will receive me. at any
rate"
No doubt. sir. It will be all right. :"
She hositatingly unbarred the
wicket. and the Two men entered
| They walked slowly UP the drive
Hume WAS restless. Twice he looked
behind him
He stopped
1T was here" Nn said. that the
two men dismountcd.
/ Then a few yards farther on:
( Alan came round from the door
there, and they fought here. Alan
forced the stranger on to the turf
| When he was stabbed he fell here"
! He pointed to a spot where the
road commenced 10 turn to the left
to clear the house Brett watched
/ him narrowly. The Young man was
/ describing his dream. not the actual
murder. The vision was far more real
TO him.
1T was Just such day as this"
he continued 1T might have been
/ almost this hour. The library win
( low
/ He ceased and looked fixedly to-
wards the house Brett, too, gazed
IN silence They saw Il small. pale
laced excecdinsly handsome Italian
a young man. with coal black eyes
and mass OF shining black hair
Sowing at them from within the
. library.
a black velvet coat and a brilliant
lie We're the only bizarre features Of
his costume. They served sufficiently
70 enhance his foreign appearance.
Such a man would be correctly
placed in the marble frame Of Nea-
politan villa; here he was unusual,
outre, "un-English," as Brett put It,
But he was evidently master. He
flung open the window. and said,
with some degree of hauteur:
Whom do you wish to see? Can
be of any assistance"
His accent was strongly marked.
out his words were we'll chosen and
Evil enough, had his tone accorded
with their sense. As ii was, he might
be deemed rude.
Brett advanced
Are you Signor Capella?" he In
CURED.
Mr.. Capela. Yes"
Then you can, indeed. be OF much
assistance. This gentleman Is Mrs.
Capellas cousin. Mr.. David Hume
Frazer"
"Corpo di Baccho,"
The Italian was completely taken
by surprise His eyebrows suddenly
stood out in ridge. His sallow skin
could not become more pallid; to
show emotion ne flushed swarthy
red, Beyond the involuntary ex-
clamation in his own language. he
could not find words.
Yes" explained the smiling
Brett. he is a near relative of yours
by marriage. We were told by the
lodge keeper that Mrs, Capella was
indisposed, but under the circum-
stances We felt assured that she
would receive her CONSTITUENCIES,
that is. she is seriously Ill.
ut is an unexpected pleasure, this
visit"
Capella replied to the barrister,
but looked AT Hume. He had an I'M
pleasant habit of parting his lips
closely n his teeth, Hike the silent
snarl Of dog.
'undoubtedly. We both apologize
for not having prepared YOU
Brett's smooth, even voice seemed
to eXasperato the other. who con-