Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-29

To carry you had to leave my man
at home"
The doctor himself seemed to be
young and smart looking. Evidently
scarsdale agreed with him If not with
his vehicles. The horse, too, was
good one, and they moved through
scattered village ut quick trot.
They met Il number of people. but
DR.. Williams was talking so eagerly
to his companion that he did not nod
to any Of them.
As the road began to climb toward
bleak moorand he became less vol
uble. more DESTROYS to get Arson to
speak. Philip thought that the doctor
listened TO him with curious eager
ness Probably Sir Philip and Lady
Morland impressed him as an odd
couple. He would be anxious to learn
what sort of relative this was who
had travelled from London to see them.
Philip was in small humor for con-
versation. He looked forward to
an exceedingly unpleasant Interview,
when his lips would utter consoling
words to which he must strive to i'm
part genuine and heartfelt ring.
That would need an effort, to say the
least.
The road wound It's way through
pines and heather. but ever upward,
until the trees yielded to an unbroken
range Of open mountain and the farms
that nestled In hooks of the hillside
disappeared wholly.
Glimpses of the sea were caught
where n precipitous valley tore n cleft
In the land. ON n lofty brow in front
Philip saw a solitary and half dlsman-
tied building.
as that the Grange House" he in
quired.
Eyes"
"Why on earth did two old people,
one of them an invalid, select such
lonely residence?"
THAT has been pulling me for
days"
How long have they been here"
81 cannot say. I was only called in
four days ago"
They passed a policeman patrolllng
his country beat The doctor gave him
an affable smile. The man saluted
promptly, but looked after them with
puzzled air He continued to watch
them at intervals until they reached
the Grange House
Arson noticed that the track-it was
a gate guarded bride path now
mounted steadily to the very threshold.
1.-The place stands on the edge Of
cliff" he said,
Yes 1t was built by some rccluse
The rock falls sheer-indeed slopes in
ward to some extent-for 300 feet"
Some day. suppose, 1t will fall
into the sea-
probably. but not in our time. Here
we are. Just allow me to hitch the
rens to the gate post"
He jumped lightly out OF the dog
cart.
'Are there no servants?"
"Only an old woman and her daugh-
ter. They nre busy at this hour
Philip understood that meal might
be in preparation. He hoped not
Personally he could not eat there.
DR. Williams pressed the latch of an
old fashioned door. He whispered:
BE as quiet as possible. He may be
asleep. If he is, it will not be for long,
poor fellow"
Indeed the doctor himself BETRAYED
some slight agitation now. He perspir-
ed somewhat, and his hand shook.
Arson followed him into somber
apartment, crudely furnished half din
Ing room, half kitchen. Though the
light of June evening was clear
enough outside, the interior Of the
house was gloomy in the extreme.
There We're some dark curtains shroud-
Ing doorway.
Lady Morand is in there" murnur-
ed the doctor brokenly. "Will you 60
to herr"
Philip obeyed In silence. He passed
through the curtains. II was so dark
that he imagined he must be in q
passage with a door at the other end.
Cant l have lght?" he asked,
partly turning toward the room he had
Just quilted.
In the neglected garden at the land
ward front OF the Grange House the
horse stood patiently on three legs,
Eliminating no doubt OH the steepness
of hills and the excellence of pastures.
Nearly an hour passed thus in solemn
quietude. Then Il boy on Il bicycle
red faced with exertion, pedaled man
fully up the hill and through the gate.
Il hope he's here" he thought. "Its
long way to COON for nothin'."
Around his waist was n strap with a
pouch bearing the kings monogram
He ran up to the door aud gave a con
pie OF thunderous knocks, the prlvileg
ed rattat Of telegraph messenger
There was long delay. Then O
heavy step approached, and NAV
opened the door-a big, heavy faced
man, with eyes that stared dreadfully
and nose damaged in lfes transit.
Philip Arson, ESQ.," said the DO,
briskly, producing a buff colored en-
veope.
The man seemed to swallow some
thing.
Yes; he's here. Is that for him."
"Yes. sir. Any reply?'
The man took the telegram, CLOSED
the door. and the boy heard his retreat
,Dg footsteps. After some minutes III
returned.
IT'S too late to reply tonight ism
TT he inquired.
l..