The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-07-06
CHAPTER ll.-contInusd.

Il have 'ventured to call upon you,"
said the stranger, In voice of rare
melody and sweetness, with respect
to your tenancy Of this house. spend
most Of my time in Paris. but am
looking for pied-a-terre near London,
and the agent to whom applied tells
me that you are willing to dispose Of
the remainder Of your lease"
"Yes," said Truscott, Il want to dis.
pose Of the house as it stands, y
can find a customer. The fact is, I'm
going to get married. and want big
ger place. I'm furnishing the Hall at
Manor Vantage, and I'm ready to
clear out at any moment"
Il could have possession in a
month"; his visitor asked.
"Yes," said Truscott. "That could
be easily arranged. want to keep
nothing but few old prints and books
and this, he added, laying a hand
upon the desk.
can old friend?" said Brangwyn,
sympathetfcally.
"My first purchase when settled
down to work ten years ago. An old
friend, as you say, and in way sort
of a mascot of NINE"
"Well, Mr.. Truscott," said Brang-
wyn, rising as he spoke, I'VE can each
appoint valusr, and may come to
conclusion of the business"
'You would like to see the placer"
Truscott responded. IF you like I'll
show you over" In his own thorough
going way he took his visitor from
attic to basement. Its small place."
he said. Il have to board out my
groom and my chauffeur"
Il need neither" said Brangwyn.
"A plain cook and a maid servant will
serve my turn"
There's rather pretty garden"
Truscott went on. "and q nice little
stretch of lawn stretching to the riv-
er. If you'll come this way I'll show
you"
He had forgotten Billery for the
moment, and as he led the way he felt
a keen sense of resentment and dis
taste at the sight of the sprawling,
sleeping figure in the arm chair in
the breakfast room. In spite Of the
widely opened French windows, the
room reeked with the sleeper's whis-
ky-laden breath. Billery, who was
half-choked by high, tight collar,
was snoring stertoriously. Truscott,
though habitually man of perfect
self-possession, felt in shame-faced
way that it was necessary in some
measure to account for him. Brang-
wyn's fine nose was wrinkled in re-
pugnance and Truscott felt savagely
Inundated.
"a member of my staff on the Rec.
ord,'" he said. "He came down here
to-day on business, and I was injudi-
cious enough to leave him with the
decanter."
Il know him." Brangwyn responded,
as he passed into the garden. His
father and my great uncle were great
friends, despite certain disparity of
years." He stood bareheaded in the
evening light and looked about him.
His careworn and suffering aspect was
more apparent here than it had been
indoors. His half-bald dome of fore
head was deeply ploughed with lines
of pain, and that intent and listening
took fingered in his eyes longer than
It had done. It passed, and he turned
to his companion with touching and
melancholy smile which looked half
like the expression of an inward pang.
Il heard casually year or two ago."
he resumed, that our young friend
there was going to the dogs. should
judge him to be pretty near the ken
mel now"
Heaven help him." said Truscott,
with a gust of genuine feeling. II
suppose so" They strolled in silence
to the margin Of the river, and there
the tenant of the place turned sudden
ly upon his guest. "Mr Brangwyn,"
he said, "it is singular coincidence
which brings you to my house to-
day"
"Indeed?" asked Brangwyn, lifting
his arched eyebrows in a faint sur
prise.
Il have been thinking that you could
hardly fail to feel 1t strange when you
come to read the news which is in
my possession, II made no allusion to
It. Its publication will take place on
Monday morning, and there is no one
in the world whom it concerns more
nearly than yourself"
'Indeed?" asked Brangwyn a second
time.
THE news will bring a painful
shock with II" said Truscott, "but you
ought to know it, because it will fall
to you, as the head of your family, to
institute inquiries"
BE at no pains to prepare me for
any news you have to offer me, Mr..
Truscott." Brangwyn answered him.
Well" said Truscott, 1.-The fact is
that the body Of your great-uncle and
namesake. Mr.. Aloysoum Brangwyn,
has been discovered, under conditions
even more mysterious and inexplica-
BILE than those which surrounded his
disappearance. It was Billery who
brought tho, nouo and + hoA III. -.