Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-03-09

Mr.. Mallett did not get much sleep
while awaiting Senior Castellan's return.
His mind was too busy digesting what
he had just heard. Putting two and two
together, bearing In mind the fact that
the senor's description of his beautiful
customer Tailed exactly with that given
Of the so-called Pauline Mailing by Jack
Dornton. and that the photograph taken
by CASTELAR, was afterward found in that
lady's possession, his belief in the i'm
posture was naturally strengthened, and
his Impotence to visit the grave and
see for himself the evidence of his niece's
death increased every moment At last
he heard the convent bell strike six,
and, with a feeling of relief, he rose
and went downstairs.
He found the senior waiting below,
looking triumphant, but cautious. There
were several loungers about, and Mr.
Mallett and CASTELAR, passed through
the room and out of the house without
exchanging a word.
But, once safely outside, the senior,
who was trimming over with pleasant
self-importance, rapidly unfolded the
plans which the servant and he had con-
cocted for Mr.. Mallett's admittance to
the convent burying ground.
Il shall point out the gate by which
monsieur will enter; after that the rest
must depend on monsieurs sagacity and
on the exactness with which he carries
out my directions. The servant would
have nothing to do with you directly: but
abe will arrange matters so that you can
enter the cemetery by yourself and OBJ
tain view of the tomb. But monsieur
Will envelop himself in my accomplice's
cloak and If he is seen from the chapel
windows, they will conclude it is but one
nf hn Gle
to gather herbs from the garden which
lies beyond"
Then followed list of directions. TO
which Mr.. Mallett paid the closest atten-
ton; and, as the old Spaniard conclud-
ed, they came within sight of the Con-
vent of the Holy Assumption. A sub
stantial stone wall eight feet high in
closed il on all sides, and on the east
front were massive iron gates boarded
high above the line of sight to shield the
sacred precincts from the vulgar gaze.
Further on, on the west side, was a very
small wicket, almost hidden under the
masses of ivy that hung half way to the
ground. This door was the one used
by the lay sisters when doing their err
rands, and a covered way led from it into
the main entrance hall. The main gate
was never opened except for funerals
of the village.
The bells were still ringing for yes
pers as Mr.. Mallett reached this half
hidden little gate, and, according to di-
rections from Castelan-who was lurk-
Ing among the brushwood-he gave a
low, quick, triple knock three times over,
and then waited with his eyes on his
watch until five minutes had passed.
The bells ceased ringing. This was
the moment agreed on. and he pushed
the door gently; 1t yielded, and the next
moment he found himself in the dim light
OF long narrow passage.
He stopped and lifted a snuff colored
garment that lay at his feet. 1t was a
huge cloak, like a sisters. He wrap
ped himself in the capacious garment,
carefully drawing the hood well over his
head. Having taken off his boots, he
went stealthily along the passage, across
large stone tagged entrance hall, and
passed out of what he had been told was
the main entrance into the Enclosure be-
yond. He paused here n moment and
looked about him attentively. In a line
with him stood the chapel on the extreme
right, the door of which was open; and
be saw the backs of the sisters as they
knelt at their devotions. He caught a
CLEAN of gorgeous color as the clear
evening light fell through the east win
at the high altar. and faint odor of
incense crept out upon the air. He drew
the hood still closer over his beard and
crossed the open space to the other side
or the chapel Here he had to pass a
whole line OF windows, and the prohles
or the nuns were turned toward him. lie
now shortened his stride and dropped his
shoulders the better to perform the part
he was assuming, and passed on with
out glance to the right or to the left.
As soon as the windows were passed he
raised his head and looked round again.
he was at the edge of the burying
ground, and over In the extreme corner
under the walls he saw the stone he
had come In search Of He recognized
II by the semi-circular top-there was
not another like 1t In the inclosure-
and his heart quicksned little as he
picked his way across the graves.
The sunset sky had changed from GRIM
son to saffron, from saffron to a clear
pearly gray, and still the brown cloak
stood motionless before the headstone in
the far corner Of the convent grave
yard.
MIR. Mallett had received a shock that
entirely banishsd his preconceived ideas;
and the new beliefs that crowded upon
him were so conflicting and confusing |
that for time he was overwhelmed with |
perplexity.
Pauline Polling. Died May 20. IS"
he read the simple inscription over
and over again; the more he pondered |
II the less he understood how Il was
that he had been decoyed by fate into |
this fruitless Journey.