The Lake County times., 1907-02-05
9 BYNhaz22NMgHUl60Y

the open and settle with him.
I slept presently but woke at my
usual hour, and after a tub felt ready
for another day Bates served me.
as usual, breakfast that gave a fair
aspect to the morning. I was alert
for any sign of perturbation in him.
but 1 had already decided that
might as well look for emotion in a
stone wall as in this placid, colorless
serving man. had no reason to sus-
pect him of completely in the nights
affair, but I had no faith in him, and
merely waited until he should show
his hand.
By my plate next morning I found
this note. written in clear, bold,
woman's hand:
The Sisters Of St. Agatha trust
that the intrusion upon his grounds
BY Miss Armstrong, one of their stu
dents, has caused Mr. Glenarm no an
noyance. The Sisters beg that this
infraction of their discipline will be
overlooked, and they assure Mr.. Glen
arm that II will not recur."
An unnecessary apology! The note
paper was of the best quality. At
the head of the page "St. Agatha's,
Annandale" was embossed in purple.
One of the sisters l had seen beyond
the wall undoubtedly wrote it-possi-
bly, Sister Theresa herself. A clever
woman, that! Thoroughly capable Of
plucking money from guileless old
gentlemen. Poor Olivia! born for
freedom, but doomed to a pent-up ex-
istence with a lot of nuns! l resolved
to send her a box of candy sometime
just to annoy her guardians. Then
my own affairs claimed attention.
Bates" I asked, do you know
what Mr. Glenarm did with the plans
for this house?"
He started slightly. l should not
have noticed it if [ had not been so
keen for his answer.
NO, sir. 1 can't put my hand upon
them, sir"
That's all very well, Bates. but you
didn't answer my question. Do you
know where they are? III put my
hand on them if you will kindly tell
me where they're kept"
Il fear very much, Mr.. Glenarm.
that they have been destroyed. l tried
to find them before you came, to tell
you the whole truth, sir; but they
must have been put out of the way"
That's very interesting, Bates. VIII
you kindly tell me whom you suspect
of destroying them? The toast again,
please"
His hand shook as he passed the
plate.
81 hardly like to say, sir. when it's
only a suspicion"
"Of course l shouldn't ask you to
incriminate yourself, but I'll have to
insist on my question. 1t may have
occurred to you, Bates, that in sense
in a sense, mind you-I'm the mas
ter here"
We'll, I should say, If you press me
that fear Mr.. Glenarm, your grand
father, burned the plans when he left
here the last time. l hope you will
pardon me, sir, for seeming to reflect
upon him"
Reflect upon the devil! What was
his idea, do you suppose?"
II think, sir, if you will pardon
Don't be so fussy!" I snapped
Damn your pardon, and go on!"
He wanted you to study out the
place for yourself, sir. 1t was dear
to his heart, this house. He set his
heart upon having you enjoy it"
Il like the word-go ahead"
"And I suppose there are things
about it that he wished you to learr
for yourself"
You know them, of course, and are
watching me when I'm hot and cold
watching me to see when I'm hot ant
cold, like kids at child's game"
The fellow turned and faced mC
across the table.
"Mr. Glenarm, as I hope God ma!
be merciful to me in the last judg
ment, l don't know any more about i
than you do"
You were here with Mr. Glenarn
all the time he was building the house
but you never saw walls built tha
weren't what they appeared to be, o
doors made that didn't lead any
where"
l summoned all my irony and cor
tempt for this arraignment. He LITE
his hand as though making oath.
LAS God sees me, that is all true
was here to care for the dead master
comfort and not to spy on him, sir
And Morgan, Your friend, wha
about him?''
Il wish l knew, sir"
Il wish to the devil you did" and
, flung out of the room and into the l
brary.
At II o'clock I heard a poundin
Z at the great front door and Bates cam
z to announce a caller, who was no
| stamping the snow from his shoe
> audibly in the outer hall
: The Reverend Paul Stoddard, sir
} The chaplain Of St Agathas was
Z big fellow, as / had remarked on th