The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-03-31

yer, only Mason had thrown it into the
plate chest, all dirty as it was, locked it
up and hid the key. The plate was Mr..
Gilrae's, you know, sir, and Mason was
responsible"
"He acted wisely" I said, surprised at
the domestic's story. "Why, the guests
acted like gang of thieves"
"They were, sir. They rushed all over
the house like demons let loose, and they
even stole some of our things. ! lost q
silver chain"
"And what did the stranger say when
you told him of thisH"
"He smiled. 1t did not seem to sur
prise him in the least, for after all his
visit was the cause of the sudden break
ing up of the party, wasn't it,"
Sand did you show him over the whole
housef" I inquired.
eyes, sir" responded the servant.
"Curiously enough he had with him what
seemed to be large plan of the castle,
and as we went from room to room he
compared it with his plan. He was
here for hours, and told me he wanted
to make thorough examination of the
place and didn't want to be disturbed.
He also said that he might probably
take the place for next season, If he liked
it. l think however, he only told me
this because he thought I would be more
patient while he took his measurements
and made his Investigations. He was
here from twelve till nearly six o'clock,
and went through every room, even up
to the turrets."
"He came into this room, l suppose ?"
eyes, sir" she responded, with Just
slight hesitation, l thought. "This was
the room where he stayed the longest
There was photograph in that frame
over there" she added, indicating the
frame that had held the picture of Elma
Heath, "a portrait of a young lady,
which he begged me to give him"
"And you gave it to himi" I cried
quickly.
"Well-yes, sir. lie begged so hard
for it, saying that it was the portrait
of friend of his"
"And he gave you something hand,
some for it-ehH"
The young woman, whom I knew could
not refuse half a sovereign, colored
slightly and smiled.
And who put that picture in its
placer" | asked.
81 did, sir. found it upstairs"
"He didn't tell you who the young
lady was, l supposeH"
"No, sir. He only said that that was
the only photograph that existed, and
that she was dead"
Dead" l gasped, staring at her.
eyes, sir. That was why he was 80
anxious for the picture"
Elma Heath dead! Could it be true
That sweet-pictured face haunted me as
no other face had ever impressed itself
upon my memory. It somehow seemed
to impel me to endeavor to penetrate
the mystery, and yet Hylton Chatter had
declared that she was dead 7 recol,
lected the remarkable letter from Abo.
and her own declaration that her end
was near. That letter was, size said, the
last she should write to her friend. Did
Hylton Chatter actually possess knowl.
edge of the girls DEATH Had he all
along been acquainted with her where
aboutsf What the young woman told
me upset all my plans. If Elma Heath
were really dead, then she was beyond
discovery, and the truth would be
hidden forever.
"After he had put the photograph in
his pocket, the gentleman made most
minute search in this ROOM" the domes.
tic went on. "He consulted his plan,
took several measurements, and then
tapped on the paneling all along this
wall, as though he were searching for
some hidden cupboard or hiding, place.
I looked at the plan, and saw mark in
red ink upon it. He was trying to dis.
cover that spot, and was greatly disap.
pointed at not being able to do so. He
was in here over an hour, and made a
most careful search all around"
"What explanation did he givep
GCIIo oulx, nosI Q.I xx,knA Y ,u.-k