The Rich Hill tribune., 1907-04-25
cHAPTER VIl.-contlnued

One thing only / found-ihe slight
scar Of a hammer-head on the oak
paneling that ran around the bed
room. The wood had been struck
near the base and at the top Of every
panel for though the mark was not
perceptible on all. a test had evidently
been made Systematically. with this
as a beginning, / found a moment
later a spot of tallow under a heavy
table In one corner. Evidently the
furniture had been moved to permit
Of the closest scrutiny OF the panelinE
Glenarm House really promised to
prove exciting. ] took from drawer
a small revolver. filled its chambers
with cartridges and thrust il into my
hip pocket, whistling meanwhile Larry
Donovan's favorite air. THE Marche
Funebre de MariOnnettes" Ny heart
went out to Larry as I scented adyen-
ture, and I wished him with me; but
speculatlons as to Larrys where
abouts we're always prohtless. and
quite likely he was in jail somewhere.
The ham OF whose excellence Bates
had limited was no disappointment.
4
better in this world than a properly
baked ham, and the specimen Bates
placed before me was a delight to the
eye.-so adorned was Il with spices:
50 erisply brown its outer coat: and a
taste.-that first tentative taste be
fore the sauce was added.-was like
a dream Of Lucullus come true. 1 felt
that ! could forgive a good deal in
cook with that touch.-anything short
or arson and assassination
Bates" said. as he stood forth
where / could see him. you cook
amazingly we'll Where did you learn
the business ?"
I can hardly say I know it. sir.
Your iamented grandfather grew very
captious. Mr.. Glenarm. ! had to learn
to satisfy him. and believe | did Il,
sir. II youll pardon the conceit"
He didn't die OF gout. did he2
can readily imagine il"
No. Mr. GlenSrm Il was his heart
lie had his warning OF e."
"Ah. yes; to be sure. The heart OF
the stomach--one may as well fail as
the other. ] believe / prefer 70 keep
my digestion going as long as possible
Those griiled sweet potatoes again. II
you please, Bates"
Th6 game that he and I were play
ing appealed 10 me strongly. II was
altogether worth while. and as I ate
guava jelly with cheese and toasted
crackers. and then lighted one OF my
own cigars over a cup Of Bates uufail-
ing coffee, my spirit was Ivelier than
at any time since a certain evening on
which Larry and 1 had escaped from
Tangier with our lives and the curses
OF the police
The day had offered much material
for fireside reflection. and reviewed
its history calmly There was, how.
ever one incident that / found un-
pleasant in the retrospect ] had been
guilty Of most unchiValrOus conduct
toward one Of the girls OF ST. Aeatha's.
II had certainly been unDeooming In
me to sit on the wall, however unwili-
ingly and listen TO the words-few
though they werc-that passed be-
tween her and the chaplain. ] forgot
the shot through the window: / forgot
Bates and the interest my room pos
sessed for him and his unknown ac.
complice; bat the sudden distrust and
contempt ] had awakened IN the girl
bY my ciownish behavior annoyed me
increasingly
] rose presently. found my cap and
went out into the mo0n-doodod wood
toward the lake The tanele was not
so great when you knew the way
and there was indeed as ! had found
the faint suggestion OF a path The
moon giorhed broad highway across
the water. the air was sharp and stili
] followed the wall Of st. Agatha's 10
'he gate. climbed up and sat down IN
fAe shadow of the pillar farthest from
he lake. ] drew out a cigarette and
was about to light it when heard a
sound as of step on stone There
was. J knew, no stone pavement at
hand, bat peering toward the lake /
saw man walking boldly along the
TOP of the wall toward me The moon
Tight threw his figure into clear relief
Several times he paused bent down
and raped upon the wall with an
object he carried in his hand
Tap tap tapl The man with the
hammer was examining the farther
side of the gate, and very likely no
would carry his Investigations beyond
u drew up my legs and erouchod
in the shadow OF the pillaf seYolyer
IN hand I was not anxious so invite
an encounter; I much preferred 10
wait for q disclosure Of the pIrDO6e
that lay behind this mysterio,s tap
ping upon walls.
iiut the matter was taken Out ~ my
swn hands before I had chanss 10
debate H. The man dropped 90 ihe
ground sounded The stone base ander
ne gate. likewise the pillars. eYidsft. /
b without results. struck a spnefll I
rack upon the iron hars. then stoad /
ID abruptly and looked me straight 10