Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-29


view of it could be obtained from the castle
Why the building should be called by so high
sounding name, it is hard to say. 1t was SIN
ply large stone house Of two story, with q
kind of tower at one end. Formerly, in the
reign of Elizabeth, it had been fort and after'
wards, falling into decay, it had been used py
smugglers for the storing of contraband goods
When Commission arrived at the castle he was
met at the door by gigantic female OF uncom,
mon ugliness, who answered to the name oil
Selma Moon. She was large enough to nave
earned an income by exhibiting herself in car
avan, being considerably over six feet, ana sur
fcienty ugly to shame even the witches IN Mac
beth.
This Amazonian female, from her height OF
six feet five, looked down on Commission with a
submissive air. She was as timid as rabbit,
the most harmless of her sex, and report went,
that the late Mr.. Moon, who had been almost
a dwarf, had frequently beaten her IN spite OF
her superior inches. However, the Old man was
dead, and for many long day Mrs Moon had
lorded it over the one servant in the castle But
she still wore her submissive air, and when her
master imperiously demanded sight OF the gen.
tleman who was expecting him, led the way at
once to an upper room.
! "But / wouldn't take everyone" said Mrs.
Moon in thin, high voice like the midnight
wind in chimney. tHe being wishful to keep
hisself quiet What have he done, my lord Z!
Nothing" said Commission, promptly he
only came down here for rest. DO you think
he has robbed the bank"
There's worse things than robbing banks, y
remarked Mrs. Moon, shaking her fried cap
portentously "and the worse things is what he's
done. And why shouldn't he tell me his name
if he was babe for innocence?"
Didn't he do SO when he arrived?" asked Con-
niston, hating on the landing with an anxious
look
"No, my lord, bless your heart! he didn't,
said the giantess; "and but that he had your let
ter which was as plain as print
"And was print" interpolated Dick. remen.
bering his caligaphy adapted to the brains OF
Mrs. Moon.
"I shouldn't have let him in. But your lord
shin said he was to have the best room, and the
best room he has, to say nothing of your lord
ships clothes, he having arrived in tatters like
tramp, which he isn't from the princely looks
of him. No one knows as he is here, he having
asked me to say nothing. But VictoraI
"What about herr" asked Commission, rather
sharply, for Victoria was a small servant, pre-
ternaturally sharp and mighty curious
"She's allays asking questions as to what he's
doing here"
"Then: don't answer her questions"
at don't" said Mrs. Moon, plaintively, and
but that she's so strong I'd smack her hard
But only Jerry could manage her, and, bless me
vour dear lordship, he's earning his bread II
London though 1 haven't heard OF him FOL
months"
"He's not in the place obtained for him, y
said Commission, stopping at the door OF the room
indicated by the housekeeper. "He's robbed the
till and bolted."
Mrs. Moon was not at all disturbed. Just
hike his poor father, my second son" said she
shaking the frilled cap again. He was won
derful boy for money and never minded how he
cot it. Have they jailed Jerry?" she asked, with
great simplicity.
"I don't know, Mrs. Moon. But if he comes
here. don't you let him into the castle and don't
Won let him know that Mr-Mr. Grant'-Dick
rave Bernard new name for the sake of con
cealment-'is here"
Grant" echoed Mrs. Moon But ne don''
look Scotch"
"Never YOU mind what he is. You hold your
tongue and make Victoria hold hers"
"Onlv Jerry can manage her" said Mrs Moon
firmly. "ne not being strong enough for such q
tearing cat. If your lordship would speak your
self-
"Ill see to it, interrupted Commission, quickly
"T,m stopping here for the night, Mrs. Moon
Can vou rve me and Mr.-er-Grant good din
ner?"
"Pll cook it myself, Victoria being fond o
burning things and her pastery being lead fol
beaviness. The wine your lordship knows"
| C,onp;ston waited to hear no more of this do
nestle Newgate's Calendar, but abruptly open
cd the door and entered the room.
IT, was large airy apartment, with two win
Jo,vs looking on to the shining expanse of the
sea. and we'll furnished in an oldfashioned way
"INbere are you, Bernardo" asked Commission
seeing the room was empty.
For answer window curtain was drawn aside
and Gore came out holding the heavy stee
noker cts only you" he said, looking very
noIe at heard voices and concealed myself be
hind the curtain Il expected you, but didn't
know but what someone else might come. Thai
servant suspects ne.
aNot Mrs. Moon" said Commission, pityihg the
haggard looks of bis friend.
"No, Victoria. She is as sharp as a needle
and"
taking Cores hand and leading him to the sofa
unon which he had been apparently lying unit
startled by the sound of voices "Mrs Moon
can he depended upon and I'll speak to Vic
| tor;o myself You are safe here"
'Are you sure, Dick!
| trPerfectly sure. And even if you were dis
covered could manage to conceal you in the
vaults below the castle"
care there vaults?' asked the fugitive, who
was shvering and pale.
ssyesl The old smugglers used them to store
Goods and as hdng-places. There is passage
and door communicating with the arm of the
sea which runs near the castle, and you could
easily escape to foreign parts by means of
boat, Cheer up, old Boy" added Dick, clappinl
his friend on the back, you're not dead yet"
The poor, hunted young fellow threw his arm
school-boy fashion over Conniston's shoulder
eSyVhat good fellow you are, Dickl" he said
az fancied YOU might believe me guilty"
"I'd as soon believe myself guilty, you severa
kinds of fool"
"And Alice?' asked Bernard, under his breath
"She believes you innocent, so does Aunt Be
rengaria and Durham Yes! and Miss Randolph