The Washington times., 1906-08-12
Continued from sixth Page.)

f1OlQ a Ulis ne exclaimed some
ones coming" and bending toward
The oIening I heard the sound OF
steps down the corridor. In a mo
rnent Bates ran up, calling my name
with more spirit than I imagined
possible in him.
What is it?" I demanded, crawling
cut into the tunnel.
IT'S Mr.. Pickering. The sheriff has
come with him. sir"
AS he spoke his glance fell upon the
broken wall and open door. The light
Of Larrys lantern struck full upon
him. Amusement and, l thought.
certain satisfaction, were marked
upon his c0untenance.
Run along. Jack, I'll be up little
later" said Larry. If the fellow has
come IN daylight with the sheriff, he
isn't dangerous. It's his friends that
shoot IN the dark that give as the
trouble
! crawled out and stood upright.
Bates. staring AZ the opening, seemed
reluctant 20 leave the spot
You seem TO have found It, sir" he
sald-I thought a little chokingly. His
interest en- the matter nettled me: for
nv first business was 20 90 above for
an interview with the executor. and
the value Of our discovery was second
ary.
"Of course we have found IT."
calculated. brushing the dust from my
clothes. rs Mr.. Stoddard in the IL
brsry-"
"Ob. yes, sir; I left him entertaining
the gentlemen"
Their visit is certainly most mop
perfume" said Larry. Give them my
compliments and tell them I'll be up as
soon as I've articulated the bones of
my friends ancestors
Bates strode on ahead Of ne with
hls lantern. and 7 left Larry crawling
through the new-found door as I hur-
rtrd toward the house I knew MIN
well enough u be sure he would not
leave the spot until he had found what
lay behind the Door Of Bewilderment-
You didn't tell the callers where You
expected 20 find me, did you?" I asked
Rates, as he brushed me off IN the
kitchen
NO. sir. Mr.. stoddard received the
gentlemen. He rang the bell for me
and when ] went into the library he
was saving. Mr.. Gleua-m Is At his
studies Bates he saws, kindly tell
AIr. Glenarm that I'm sorry % inter
rupt him. but won't be please come
down. I thought IL rather neat. sir.
considering his clerical office. 7 knew
You were below somewhere. sir; the
trap-door was open and 1 found you
easily enough"
Bates e--es were brighter than had
ever seen them. A certain bu0yant note
gave an entire. 9eW tone 10 his voice
He walked ahead of me 10 the library
door, threw II open and stood aside.
Here you are. Glenarm." said SJod-
dard. Pickering and a stranger stood
near the fireplace I'm their overcoats.
Pickering advanced and offered his
hand, but ] turned away from him
without taking IL. His companion. a
burly Countryman. stood staring. a
pa per IN his hand
''The sheriff" Pickering explained.
"and our business is rather per-
sOnal-"
He glanced at stoddard. who looked
al me-
Mr.. Stoddard VIII do me the kind
ness 20 remain" I said and took my
stand beside the chaplain.
oh" Pickering calculated scorn-
fully. "I didn't understand that you
had established relations with me
neiEhboring clergy. Your taste is -----
proving Glenarm."
Mr.. Glenarm IS a friend OF mine, ="
remarked Stoddsrd quietly. "A very
particular friend he added.
Il congratulate you-both."
] laughed. Pickering was surveying
the room as he spnke-and Stoddard
suddenly stepued toward him. merely,
7 think. 10 draw ND a chair for the
sheriff; but Pickering. not hearing
Stoddard's step on the soft rug until
the clergyman was close beside him.
started percepubIy and Teddened.
Il was certainly ludicroGs, ana When
Stoddard faced me again he was biting
his liz.
Pardon meH' he murmured.
Now. gentlemen. viii YOU kindly
state your busin- IS? Ny own affairs
press me"
Pickering was studvinE the cartridge
boxes on the library table. The sheriff.
too. was viewing these effects with
interest not. I think, unmiXed with
awe.
"Glenarm. 7 don't like 70 invoke the
law 20 eject YOU from this property,
but 7 am left with no alternative.
can't stay ont acre indefinitely. and I
W ant 10 know what I'm TO expect
"That IS a fair question" I replied.
.'If it We're merely n matter Of follow
ing the terms of the viii I should not
hesitate to be here now. But il isn't
the viii. or my grandfather. that keeps
me. it's the determination 10 give vol
all the annoyance possibIe-to make il
hard and mighty hard for YOU 10 get
hold Of this house until 7 have found
why YOU are so much interested IN il. ="
"Tou always had a grand way in
money matters. AS 7 told you before
. you came ont here, it's a poor stake
The assets consist wholly OF this land
and this house, those quality YOU have
had an excellent opportunity to test
You have doubtless heard that the
country people believe there is money
concealed hcre-but I dare say YOU
have exhausted the possibilities This
is not the FIRST time a rich man has