Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
Il do not know it," he declared.

turned toward the door. Very well,
Mr.. Blumentein," | said But if you
imagine that this matter is going to rest
where it is, you are very much mistaken
| am going straight to a private detec-
tive's, who is also friend of mine
Then for Heavens sake go to him.
Blurnentein declared irritably. I'VE
have nothing to conceal here. All that
we desire is to be let alone by guests
whose conduct about the place is discred-
table | shall have to say good after
noon, Mr. Courage!"
| returned to my room and had my bag
packed. Then | sat down to think.
reviewed the course of events carefully
since the night before last. Try how
could, found it absolutely impossible to
arrive at any clear conclusion with regard
to them The whole thing was phan-
tasmagoria. The one person in whom l
had believed, and at whose bidding / was
willing to take hand in this mysterious
game, had disappeared without word
of explanation or farewell. There could
be only one reasonable course of action
for me to pursue, and that was to shrug
my shoulders and go my way. Of Adele
l refused absolutely to think. l knew
very well that l should not be able to
forget her On the other hand, l was
convinced now that she was simply max
ing use of me- l would 60 back home
and forget these two days. | would
reckon them as belonging to some ones
else life not mine.
| paid my bill, left the hotel, and
caught the five o'clock train from St
Pancras to Medchester. From there l
had a ten mile drive, and it was almost
dusk when we turned off the main road
into the private approach to Saxby Hall,
nv old home 1t all looked very peace
full as we drove up to the front, the blue
smoke from the chimneys going straight
up in long thin line, not a rustic of
breeze or movement anywhere. Perkins,
my butler, came out to the steps to meet
me, and successfully concealed his SUR
prise at my return two days before | was
expected
ANY news, Perkins?" I inquired, as
he helped me off with my coat.
Nothing in anyway special, sir, Per-
kins replied. THE cricket team from
Romney Court were over here yesterday,
sir, for the day
l nodded, and was passing on to my
study.
Perkins followed me, We got your
first telegram early this morning, sir, he
remarked.
| stopped short What telegram do
YOU mean" | asked
The one telling us to prepare for the
gentleman, sir, Perkins explained. I'VE
had to guess at the train, but we sent the
brougham in for twelve o'clock, and
Johnson waited. We've given him the
south room, sir and | think that he's
quite comfortable"
What the blazes are you talking
about" | asked.
1t was Perkinss turn to stare, which he
did for moment blankly. THE gentle
man whose arrival you wired about, sir,
he answered Mr.. Guest, | believe his
name is.
Mr. Guest is here now" l asked.
Certainly, sir; in the south room,
sir He asked to be told directly you ar
rived, sir
| turned abruptly toward the staircase.
| said not another word to Perkins, but
made my way to the room which he had
spoken of l knocked at the door. and it
was Guests voice which bade me enter.
1t was Guest himself who, in a gray travel
ing suit which made him look smaller and
frazier than ever, lay stretched upon the
sofa over by the great south windows.
To be continued next Sunday