The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-01-04
CHAPTER XVI.


@Wll Mr.. Mallett call on Messrs
DAVIS & Raven. at their Offices, 16 lie
man street, e. c., between and 3
o'clock today They have private in
formation of the greatest value to i'm
part to him."
Ethel leaned over her fathers shout
der and read the telegram
What can 1t mean. papa? It's very
mysterious Shall you 60? / wish you
would take me with you. I shall be In
such a state Of excitement until you
come back"
II could not think Of taking you to a
place l know nothing Of, my dear. 1t
might be inconvenient to have you with
me-"
why. papa. I believe you are excited
and curious. II is the first time ever
saw you so Interested"
Eyes, I en- curious. II strikes me as
odd that. aiter living an uneventful life
for the last twenty years, l should one
day break my VOW as to never revisiting
Mallingford Park unless a. Its owner,
and the next day receive this curious
message. l dare say it Is only a coinci-
dence; but still it il strange and l can't
help connecting the one event with the
other"
Surely there was some strangely ex-
hilarating quality in the atmosphere this
morning, for Ethel went about her busi-
ness in q brisker manner than she had
lately. Her nerves were a little bit un-
strung, too, for, when about o'clock
there came q very decided rat-a-tat-tat
at the door. she was worked up to such
a state of extreme expectation that she
almost shrieked aloud. She ran to her
usual pest of observation, the stair head,
and was surprised. pleased, sorry, dis
turbed, all in a moment, at the sight of
Captain Polling.
She was almost tempted to send him a
message to the effect that she could not
see him just then; but she had horror
Of deception, and indeed she was really
glad to see him again. A few seconds
later she was shaking hands with him.
and her shyness had completely van
ished
After tie question a. to sport there
was an awkward little pause, and Ethel
felt her heart quicken with dread. Shak-
Ing herself free from this feeling. she
turned to her visitor.
you have not asked why papa Ii not
at home" she remarked. with a deter
minarion to avoid personal topics.
ITO be sure! II is Saturday! had
forgotten. And why Is he not at home p
T will show you Why" and she
fetched the telegram and gave it to him.
"How mysterious! Quite like an
event In q novel! Has Mr.. Mallett any
idea as to what It meansT
mot q bit! I'm expecting him home
soon. and then we shall hear all about
It"
I'm which case I had better be off.
II may be private family business, yor
know"
81 don't think papa would mind your
knowing. he looks upon you as a sin
cere friend. You are the only one be
has cultivated within my memory"
Poor Ethel, She had unwittingly
brought down an avalanche upon her
self
you see. he has a treasure beyond
price In his keeping. and be guards it
5ealously."
For . moment the drift Of his remark
did not strike her; she concluded he was
abiding to the secret Of her fathers
birth, which she had thought was
known only to Lord Summers. She was
surprised that hs should know the SCI
crst; but shs said nothing. and quietly
awaited an explanation
Polling was slightly disconnected By
her unexpected silence and her inQuiring
ensa He felt that he lad committed
AimsoIf ln some way, and honestly re-
gxsttsd hat he had been - indiserset