Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-08

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 I was bound for Raymond.
Encountering thus we agreed to make
d convenience of the locality, since
could not persuade him to turn back
with me, and we completed our con-
yersation over a pint of ale at the lit
tie hosiery in Llanellan. The transac-
ton was comprised in brief time, and
that finished turned my horses head
fortnight for home.
AS drew near the park gates it
wanted little OF by my watch. The
sun beam I'd sharply overhead, and the
great lick by the stone pillars Of the
gateway threw a black blot Of shadow
across the drive. / 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, / walked back by way
of the park, skirting the western wing
OF the building. Upon this side, as I
have said, lay a dense shrubbery,
through which the little brook stream
ed over its pebbly bottom to the wa
terfall upon the southern decliyity OF
the hill. A pathway ran circuitously
through this growth of laurel and box,
evidently of comparatively recent orr
gin, and winding by several pretty
spots, bordered with the riyulet, final
" emerged upon the boundary of the
park and joined 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 shrubbery and saun-
tered quietly along the pathway. Sud-
denly at a bend before me and slipping
softly round the elbow I beheld the
figure of man, but it was gone ere
nv senses were fully awake in that
sultry afternoon. stood still mo-
ment, stirred somewhat strangely, and
then ran quickly to the corner Peer
ing round, l caught sight of a figure
stealing among the shrubs. It paused a
moment and then, as it seemed to 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 more curious recognition. Swift
as the flight of a 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 a still stranger
| feeling of fear where and when had
| first encountered that lean and stealthy
| body. / had seen the man disappear in
| 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 beer
| with Mr.. Kesteven upon the day OF
| which I had first encountered him in
| the wood.
4He ldCL d6tVuA0Cu LIZ AAAAASs
| through my warm limbs to the very
marrow of my bones. And yet it seem
| ed too absurd to be accepted on thu
| spur of moments fancy. I stood
| bordering in state Of excitement ane
then, hastily turning about, ran in tht
direction of the castle.
What was Holds business there?
| asked myself the question without thu
assurance of an answer. There was re
| ally but little to arouse my suspicious
and yet I was agog with curiosity.
| entered the castle courtyard and open
| ed the door of the dining hall. The frs
object that met my eyes was Mont
gomery sprawling upon the table and
| stertorous with drunken sleep. Plate:
were laid for two, and empty bottles
| upon the table testified to a generous
| lunch. Leaving him for moment,
ran upstairs and pushed open my dool
| silently. AS / did so there was an ex
clamation, and I entered and came
face to face with Captain Sercombe
/ M