Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-04

trap door was open and found you easily enough"
 Bates eyes were brighter than had ever seen them. A certain buoyant note gave an entirely new tone to his voice. He walked ahead of me to the library door. threw 1t open and stood aside.
 "Ah. here you are. Glenarm," said Stoddard. Pickering and stranger stood near the fireplace in their over coats.
 Pickering advanced and offered his hand. but I turned away from him with out taking 1t. His companion, burly countryman, stood staring. a paper in his hand.
 "The sheriff." Pickering explained. land our business is rather personal"
 He glanced at Stoddard, who looked at me.
 MT. Stoddard will do me the kind ness to remain" said and took my stand beside the chaplain.
 "Oh!" Pickering calculated scorn- fully. T didn't understand that your relations with the nelghboring clergy were so intimate. Your taste is i'm proving, Glenarm."
 MT. Glenarm is friend of mine" 1" remarked Stoddard quietly. "A very particular friend" he added.
 T congratulate you--both."
 I laughed. Pickering was surveying the room as he spoke.-and Stoddard suddenly stepped toward him. merely. l think. to draw up chair for the sheriff: but Pickering, not hearing Stoddard's step on the soft rug until the clergyman was close beside him. started perceptibly and reddened.
 It was certainly ludicrous. and when Stoddard faced me again he was biting his lip.
 Pardon mel" he murmured.
 Now gentlemen. will you kindly state your business? My own affairs press me-"
 Pickering was studying the cartridge boxes on the library table. The sheriff. too, was viewing these effects with in. terest not, think. unmixed with awe,
 "GIenarm. l don't like to invoke the law to eject you from this property, but I am left with no alternative. l cant stay out here indefinitely, and want to know what's I'm to expect"
 That is a fair question" replied. 'If it were merely matter of follow ing the terms of the will should not hesitate or be here now. But 1t isn't the will. or my grandfather. that keeps me, it's the determination to give you all the annoyance possible,-to make 1t hard and mighty hard for you to get hold of this house until have found why you are so much interested in it.
 You always had grand way in money matters. As told you before you came out here, its poor stake The assets consist wholly of this land and this house. whose quality you have had an excellent opportunity to test You have doubtless heard that the country people believe there is money concealed here,-but l dare say you have exhausted the possibilities. This is not the first time rich man has died. leaving precious little behind him."
 You seem very anxious to get pos. session of property that you call poor stake" I said. "A few acres of land, half-finished house and an un- certain claim upon school teacher!"
 T had no idea you would understand my position" he replied. "The seri- ousness of a mans oath to perform the solemn duties imposed upon him by law would hardly appeal to you. But I haven't come here to debate this question. When am to have posses. sion?"
 Not till I'm ready,-thanksl"
 "Mr. Sheriff. will you serve your writ?" he said. and I looked to Stod dard for any hint from him as to what l should do.
 T believe MT. Glenarm is quite will. ing to hear whatever the sheriff has to say to him." said Stoddard. He stepped nearer to me. as though to emphasize the fact that he belonged to my side of the controversy. and the sheriff read an order of the Wabana county circuit court directing me. immediately, to de. liver the house and grounds into the keeping of the executor of the will of the estate of John Marshall Glenarm.
 The sheriff rather enjoyed holding the center of the stage. and listened quietly to the unfamiliar phraseology. Before he had quite finished heard a step in the hall and Larry appeared at the door. pipe in mouth. Pickering turned toward him frowning. but Larry paid not the slightest attention to the executor. but leaned against the door with his usual tranquil unconcern.
 q advise you not to trine with the law. Glenarm," said Pickering. as the sherif folded his paper. You have no right whatever to be here. And these other gentlemen your guests. suppose-are equally trespassers under the law"