Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-03-02

evidently come long way for that pur-
pose. am charmed, fattered and abash-
ed all at one time-charmed and fiat
tered to receive any one who comes a
distance to pay homage to art"
He put his hand on his heart and bow
ed with the air of prince. His belief
that Mr.. Mallett had come to visit and
compliment art in his person was SO evil
IDENTIFY genuine that the sensitive gentle
man felt almost unhappy to have to I'M
deceive him; but time was pressing He
had none for the observance of unneces-
sary politeness. He took the little photo
graph from his pocketbook and held it
toward CASTELAR,
Il believe you took that picture. Now,
l want you to tell me where the grave
of which this is a picture is to-be found,
how you came to take the photograph,
whom you took it for, and any other cir
cumstances you can remember in connec-
ton with it,
The Spaniard leaned forward with his
hands on his knees to look at the pho
tograph,. but he did not attempt to touch
1t. He stared at it earnestly while Mr..
Mallett was speaking, and, when he had
finished, he looked up with a scared face
as he answered:
Il said something was wrong about
THAI affair at the time, and now my
words are coming to pass. l did not like
the job, | can assure YOU l have an
antipathy to graves and collins and all
that reminds one of death, and 1 would
not have taken that picture for untold
gold, but that l was enslaved by the
beauty of the lady who asked me to do
hoa ,.rh fhor
tall, shapely, with eyes, hair and skin
perfect, and her voice soft and sweet like
a silver bell. ,,ne coaxed me to do it
against my will, and 1 crept into the vii
lage graveyard one morning at o'clock
with my camera, before even the busy
sisters were out Of their cells, and took
the picture for her. You may see how
imperfect the picture is, how many
hlemishes it has, and you must not judge
of my usual work by 1T, for my hand
shook with fear" The soul of the
artist was ousting the shade of the aris-
tocrat.
Never mind the blemishes, Senior Cas-
tellan," interrupted Mr.. Mallett. 1.-THE
photograph In good enough for my pur
pose. l want you now to tell me the
name of the lady who gave you the or
der, the name of the convent where the
grave is, with directions for getting
there
Castellan's hands went up In dismay.
You cannot get therei 1t would be
sacrilege. No man is permitted to en-
ter the gate but on two days in the
week, for a couple of hours at visiting
time, you understand, when the holy
sisters are all shut in their cells at pray
ers."
Still 1 must get to see that grave
before sunset tonight, and l will give
two hundred francs to any one who will
help me-"
Two hundred francsl 1t is a large
sum here in Villa Silentio. There is a
servant woman who does the errands
for the convent ladies, with whom l ana
acquainted, who might be induced"
He paused thoughtfully
That is settled then. And now how
far is it, and how are we to get there p
Mr.. Mallett asked, rising briskly from
his chair
CASTELAR, motioned him back to his
seat.
You must leave this to me entirely.
monsieur. One ill-considered step might
balk your plan, and rob the servant and
me of our reward. 1t must be done
during vespers If at all; and in the mean
time l must see this woman and make
my plans. 1t is now two, and, if might
advise refreshment and rest before we
start on our expedition, monsieur would
be more fitted for it,
"One moment" said Mr.. Mallett. as
CASTELAR, rose to eafl his daughter to
their guest. Tell me the name of the
convent before you co.
1T is called the Convent of the Holy
Assumption, and 1t is but five minutes
walk from here"
And the name of the lady who or
dered that photograp hr'
"Ah, that never knewl My accom-
plice managed all the business part of
the affair, as she will do now, and the
lady's name was never mentioned"
Senior CASTELAR, went through the front
door into the market place, pausing on
the threshold, with his fingers on his
lips, to say:
Until six and a quarter then, au re-
voir"
fTo he continued.)