Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-25

lGGsED in Cornwall 1t CHANGED, however,
that he too was taking Continental
tour, and joined our Rhine steamer at Cologne.
He was delighted to see his old schoolfellow, my
uncle, and arm in arm with him paced the deck
IN friendly converse, talking of the old days at
Eton
Daphnes beauty made great impression upon
the Baronet, and he inquired the reason of the
sad look on her face, look that had become
habitual since that terrible night at Rivoli. So
my uncle related her story to him, finishing with
an account of the mysterious circumstances that
had attended our stay at Rivo, to all of which
the Baronet listened with deep interest.
And so," he remarked, when the tale was end
ed, "the inquiry held on the body of the old man
led to no resut?"
None, SO far as the discovery of the assassin
was concerned. All that we learned was that
the old mans name was Matteo Garlic; that he
was native of Rivoli, but had been absent
from the town for twenty years or more, and
that ne had returned to it only three days before
his death. 1t is strange that he should have been
struck down SO soon after reaching his home.'
"The assassin had perhaps followed him there.
And SO the button proved no clye?"
''None at ALL
"a pity, that. And the priest you have spoken
Off"
Father Ignatus?"
eyes Was he questioned as to the nature Of
the confession made to him by the murdered
man?"
Eyes, but naturally he refused to divulge the
secret. He declared, however, it had no bearing
on the crime and could not in any way help TO-
wards the discovery of the murderer, and with
that we had to be content"
ut is certainly mysterious business" said Sir
Huoh fand en- cau1 within INV
experience. At any rate, let us hope your sus-
picions unfounded, and that Captain Willard
was not at Rivoli as you suppose"
Remember, Leslie" he said day or two
later, "you are not to spend Christmas at your
London house. The place and the time of the
year would only serve to recall your daughter
grief on the very day when she should be most
happy. You must come to the Abbey and help
me to burn the Yule log. There will be more
than fifty guests, so you will hardly be dull. My
niece, Florrie, will be just the companion fer
Miss Daphne, so you must make no excuses"
And he parted from us at Cologne the un-
derstanding that we were to pass our Christmas
tide at Silverdale Abbey.
Once removed from Rvol and its weird asso-
Citations Daphne rapidly recovered her health and
spirits, and we spent the summer exploring the
beauties of the Rhineland.
Nlen we TSCurn6u 10 IOnuOH, my HEsJ CdTt
was to obtain copy of the Standard of July
the I'd, and turned eagerly to the remainder
Of the article relating to Vasari's picture, and
found the passage referring to the Anglo-Indian
office to be as follows:
"a few days ago strange incident happened
in connection with the picture. A gentleman in
unifom-an Anglo-Indian officer, to judge by a
description given of him-who had paid the fee
for admission, was proceeding leisurely along the
gallery, and had arrived at the room containing
the masterpiece, when his further progress was
barred by Vasari, who would not allow him to
enter, but in an authoritative voice ordered hun
to withdraw without however, assigning any
reason for this behavior. The officer declined to
withdraw, and an alteration ensued between him
and the artist. When at Vasari's order the at
tendants prepared to remove the officer the lat
ter drew his sword but the timely intervention
of the gendarmes prevented serious consequences.
The gentleman was elected and his money re-
turned. In an interview with a reporter, Vasari
stated that the officer in question was drunk,
that he was hostilely disposed towards the artist,
and that he had sworn to destroy the famous pic
ture with his sword. On the other hand it is
alleged that the officer was quiet and sober, and
that ne contemplated no such act of vandalism"
/ determined to have interview with the
Italian for the purpose of obtaining little light
on the matter. So / called at the artists Lon
don residence, but was told by his servant that
he was in some distant part of the country. Com
pletely bafaed / returned to England, to find
that Vasari was still away from town in some
distant place, OF which his servant either could
not or would not tell me the name.
December came, and on the day before Christ
mas Eve Daphne, her father and myself es-
tablished at Silverdale Abbey, fine building
mantled all over with ivy, within a spacious park.
There was already a goody company of guests
present which was expected to double its nun.
ber on the morrow.
In the temporary absence of the Baronet we
were received by his niece, Florre Wyvile, and
spent delightful time as she led us through the
many tapestried full of curious old fur.
niture.
"Isn't it a dear old place." she exclaimed en-.
Enthusiastically when our first tour of exploration
AEas over. II have been here only week, and
vet I believe l know more about it even than
Uncle Hugh knows"
"And why is it called Silverdale?" I asked
"There was silver mine here at one time. l
believe part of the Abbey stands over an air
shaft belonging to it.
''Does the shaft still exist" / asked.
"I think so, but the passage leading to it was
bricked up years ago. | lay awake last night
thinking Of those old days, and fancying / could
hear ghostly procession rustling along the hail
and chanting Why what is the matter,
Miss Leslie? you look quite scared"
/ diverted the conversation to more cheerful
topics, and soon the girls were discussing what
characters they should assume in the fancy dress
ball to be held at Siverdale on Twelfth night.
The Baronet was justly proud of his beautiful
home and when, late that night, after the re-
firing of the guests, we smoking in the Ii
brary. he listened with evident pleasure to my
congratulations on its perfect preservation un-
spoiled from the middle ages.