The San Francisco call., 1907-03-10

and / approached. The sight OF
him and the Significance of his wounds
reduced me to a state OF establishment
which could find no outlet in words
simply stood and stared at him. Lady
Angela, however, after her first eX-
clanation of surprises went UP and
greeted him.
why, my dear Mostyn. she ex-
claimed. wherever Lave you sprung
from, and what have you been doing
to yourself?"
Il came from Landon-newspaper
train" he answered.
And your head and arm?
Thrown out of a hanson last night,
he said grimly.
We were all silent for moment. So
far as | was concerned, speech was al
together beyond me. Lady Angela, too,
seemed to find something disconcerting
in RAYS searching gaze.
My welcome" he remarked quietly,
does not seem to be ovcrpowering."
Lady Angela laughed. but there was
d note Of unreality in her mirth.
You must expect people to be
amazed, Mostyn.' she said, ''if you treat
them to such surprises. OF course |
am glad to see you. Have you seen
Blenavon yet?"
Il have not been to the house" he
answered. Il came straight here
And your luggage?" she asked.
Lost he answered tersely.> Il only
just caught the train, and the porter
seems to have missed me-"
you appear to have passed through
complete chapter of mishaps,'' she re-
marked. Never mind! You must want
your lunch badly. or do you want to
talk to Mr.. Ducaine?'
Next to the walk up to the house
with you,' he answered, II think that /
want my lunch more than anything in
tho world"
Lady Angela smiled her farewells at
me. and Ray nodded curtly. I watched
them pass through the plantation and
stroll across the park. There was
nothing very loverlike in their attitude.
Ray seemed scarcely TO be glancing
toward his companion; Lady Angela
had the air of one absorbed in thought.
] watched them until they disappeared,
and then 1 entered my own abode and
sat down mechanically before the lunch
which Grooton had prepared. ate and
drank as one In dream. Only last
night Ray had said nothing about COM
ing to Braster. Yet, there he was, without
luggage. with his arm and head bound
up. Just like this l expected to see the
man whom l had struck last night.
Now, though Rays attitude toward
me was often puzzling. an absolute
faith in his honesty was the one foun-
dation which / had felt solid beneath
my feet during these last few weeks
OF strange happenings. This was the
first blow which my faith had received,
and l felt that at any cost I Elust know
the truth After lunch I finished the
papers which. when complete, IL was
my duty to lock away In the library
safe up at the house. and secured them
in my breast pocket. But instead of
<r..s, -. -, -
Braster Junction.
There was porter there whom had
spoken TO once or twice. l called him
on one side.
Can you tell me- 7 as.:ei. what
passengers there were from. London by
the newspaper train this morning?"
None 1T all. sill" tho fasn answered
readily.
Are YOU quite sure?r l asked.
The man smiled
I'm more than sure, SIR the nan
answered, because she neveT stopped
She only sets down by signal now, and
we had the message no passengers
from Wellsf She went through here at
forty miles an hour
II was expecting Colonel Ray by
that train.'' remarked, the gentleman
who iectured on the war. you know, at
the village hall"
The man looked at me curiousiy.
why, he came down last night, same
train as you. sir. I know. because he
only got out just as the train was go
ing on. and he stepped into the station
masters house to light his pipe
Thank YOU" | said, giving the man
a shilling. II must have just missed
him, then"
left the station and walked home.
Now. indeed. all my convictions were
upset. Colonel Ray had left me OUT