The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-02-14
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS

English counties [ stop one evening at
a country inn. l hear of burglary at
Ivor castle, which is owned by an ODD
character. and meet young Mont
gomery, farmer, who quarrels with
the other guests.
Good morning. Hood" said my COM
panion quietly, pausing and leaning on
his stick. These are very pleasant
days for us ALL"
'@They are, sir" responded the man.
He was of middle height, with great
appearance of activity in his sinewy
body, and his thin dark face bore ha-
bitual expression of polite Difference.
1t was as if his air apolOgiZed for not
already interpreting your unuttered
wishes. l understood the reason the
next moment.
Mr.. keSteyen, turning to me, nodded
in a friendly way toward the man.
You have heard me speak of Hood"
said he, with a faint smile. He was
the valet l mentioned, whom l lost a
month back. A month, isn't it. Hood?"
Yes, sir; just a month-four weeks
and three days, that is" replied the
man respectfully.
''Ah, indeed; it's wonderful how long
time tarries,' said my host cheerfully.
Business good, Hood? hope you are
not losing by the experiment. l sup
pose" he said, turning to me again.
"that it is a trying position to be in a
subordinate state. Every one likes his
independence"
| aSsented conventionally. and Hood
waited very courteOusly until l had
made my answer before he took up his
to reply to his former masters ques
ton.
Il can't complain, SIR he said
There's not much traffic in the Gwent
sir, but l do a certain business"
"Ah, should have thought it wiser
policy to have gone nearer civilization
Hood. Why not have taken place at
1.lanellan?"
A faint but respectful smile lowered
on the mans nervous face. Il don't
hold so much with Llanellan, sir This
is a tidy house, and business will i'm
prove, hope"
Wei, well, let us hope So" was Mr..
kestevens answer as his eyes wander
ed toward the inn. "a pretty place,
is it not, Mr. GreatoreXY And then
with glance of scrutiny at the land,
lord, You have had an accident,
HOodT'
Yes, SIR" was the answer; "a slight
accident, sir-nothing of consequence
fell against the bar yesterday" aid
he put finger apolOgetically to his
clean shaved lip, which l now per-
ceived to be somewhat swollen.
"A nasty fall, nasty fall" said Mr..
Kesteven, shaking his head. ut is
lucky it was no worse He moved
away with a courteous nod of his head,
to which the innkeeper responded with
a salute As he did so he turned and,
taking my arm, smiled back at Hood.
You see the Gwent has its visitors
sometimes, Hood. Mr. GreatoreX is
staying with me. So-perhaps we may
turn the Woodman in time into fash
lOnaDle resort OF society.
He laughed as if at his own small
jest, in which the innkeeper joined.
and, pressing my arm, walked on. He
seemed very kindly master, I
thought, and l had no doubt but that
Hood had been an excellent servant.
remarked as much, to which he as
scented cordially.
Il have never come upon man who
fell into my ways better and knew his
work more efficiently he said. IAN
admirable servant-altogether admira-
bic"
Our walk had eXhilarated me and,
what is more, had given me d huge
appetite. The result was that | ate
heartily of lunch, which was delicately
served by the agreeable old housekeep-
err. Mr.. Kesteven also seemed to rally
his appetite, for he had eaten but little
the previous evening, and drank good
deal of brown sherry, in which he jest
ingly invited me to join him. But ]
was for the sour or perfumed claret,
which | found much to my palate.
Whether it was the sherry or not, my
hosts tongue piled very continuously
during the meal, but always in the
most possessed and civil manner. He
spoke of his house, of his ancient de-
scent (Which was as ancient as the
CASTLE and finally of himself. The Kes-
tevens had been people of note in 9th
er centuries, had boarded gains and
fulfilled the pomp even of courts, had
fluttered briefly and very brightly and
in various characters across the stage
of history. But now they were dwin-
died to this one old feeble man. The
race had lost its physical vigor. From
cnntnSfint. Tournaments fi0htinp hat.