Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-08-03
CHAPTER III

the porter deposited my things beside
me on the platform. Light streamed
from the open door Of the station: a
few idlers paced the platform, staring
into the windows OF the cars: the VII
lage hackman lanEuidly solicited my
business. Suddenly out Of the shad-
ows came tall. curious figure Of a
man clad IN long ulster. AS / write.
IL is with a quickening Of the sensa-
ton 1 received on the occasion Of my
first meeting With Bates. His lank.
gloomy figure rises before me now.
and hear his deep melancholy voice.
as. touching his hat respectfully. he
said:
Beg pardon. sir; IS this Mr.. Glen
arm2 I am Bates from Glenarm
House. Mr.. Pickering wired me to
meet you. sir"
Yes; 20 be sure" said.
The hackman was already gathering
NJ my traps. and I gave him my trunk
checks
How far is it," I asked. my eyes
resting. a little regretfuny. 7 must con
fess. on the rear lights Of the vanish
ing tram.
Two miles. sir" Bates replied.
There's no way over but the hack i'm
winter. In summer the steamer comes
right into our dock"
MY legs need stretching: III walk
] suggested. drawing the cool air into
my lungs To was stiu. starry Octo-
Der night. and it's freshness was crate
ful after the hot sleeper Bates ac-
cepted the suggestion without com
ment We walked 20 the end of the
platform. where the hackman was al
ready tumbling my trunks about. and
after we had seen them piled upon
HIS nondescript wagon followed
Bates down through the broad quiet
street OF the village. There was more
of Annandale than had imagined. and
several tail sm0kestacks doomed here
and there in the thin starlight.
"Brickyards. SIR" said Bates. wav-
ing his hand az the stacks cts a
considerable center for that kind OF
business"
Bricks without straw" asked as
we passed a radiant saloon that blazed
upon tho board walk
Beg pardon. SIR. but such places are
the ruin OF men. ON which remark I
based a mental note that Bates wished
20 impress me with his own rectitude
He swung beside me. answering
questions with dogged brevity. Clear
~ here was a man who had reduced
human intercourse 90 a basis Of neces-
sity. ] was 20 be shut up with him for
a year. and he was not likely 70 prove
n cheerful TALLER My feet struck upon
a graveled highway az the end OF the
village street and I heard suddenly
the tapping OF water.
IT'S the lake. sir. This road leads
right out 20 the house" Bates ex-
planned.
I was doomed 20 mediate pretty
steadily. imagined, on the beauty OF
the landscape In these parts. and I
was rejoiced 20 know that it was not
All cheerless prairie or gloomy wood
land. The wind freshened and blew
sharply upon us OF the water.
The hshing's quite good in season.
Mr.. Glenarm used 90 take a great
pleasure in e. Eass.-yes, sir. Mr..
Glenarm held there was nothing quite
equal 10 a black bass"
! liked the way the fellow spoke o.
my grandfather. He was evidently a
loyal retainer. No doubt he could
summon from the past many pictures
OF my grandfather. and / determined
20 encourage his confidence.
Any resentment felt on first hear
ing the terms Of my grandfather's will
had passed. He had treated me as
HnGnrrraH H..
could do was 20 accept the penalty he
had laid upon me IN a sane and amia-
bic spirit. This tram OF thought occu-
pied me as we tramped along the high
way. The road now led away from
the lake and through a heavy wood.
Presently. on the right doomed a dark
barrier, and / put out my hand and
touched 4 wall OF rough stone that
rose TO height Of about eight feet
What is this. Bates?" ! asked.
This is Glenarm land. sir. The
wall was one OF your grandfather's
ideas. It's a quarter OF "A mile long
and cost him a pretty penny. I warrant
you The road turns of from the
lake now, but the Glenarm property is
all lake front"
So there was a wall about my pris-
on house, ] grinned cheerfully to
myself When. a few moments later.
my guide paused at an arched gateway
IN the long wall. drew from his over
coat a bunch of keys and fumbled at
the lock OF an iron gate, felt the
spirit OF adventure quicken within me.
The gate clicked behind US and
Bates found lantern and lighted II
with the ease OF custom.
u use this gate because it's nearer.
The regular entrance is farther down
the road. Keep close. sir. as the tim.
Der isn't much cleared"
The underground was indeed heavy
and followed the lantern of my guide
with difficulty. In darkness the place
seemed as wild and rough as a tropi
cal wilderness.
only = little farther" rose Bates
voice ahead OF me; and then: There's
the light. sir."-aEd, liftiag my eyes
as ] stumbled over the roots OF a
great tree. saw for the first time the
dark outlines of Glenarm House
Here We are, siri" exclaimed
Bates. stamping his feet upon a walk
followed him 70 what assumed tc