Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-13
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CHAPTER xI.

ways are disquieting after a duel In
which you escaped whole only by
sheer good luck. does not fit one for
sleep. When finally drew the covers
over me 1t was to lie and speculate
upon the events of the night in con-
nection with the history of the few
weeks | had spent at Glenarm Larry
had suggested In New York that Pick
ering was playing some deep game,
and I, myself, could not accept Pick
ering's statement that my grandfath-
er's large fortune had proved to be a
myth. II Pickering had not stolen or
dlssipated 1t, where was IL concealed?
Morgan was undoubtedly looking for
something of value or he would not
was quite possible that he was en-
poyed by Pickering to search for hid
den property. This idea took strong
hold of me, the more readily, | fear,
since I had alwaye been axious to see
evil in Pickering. There was, to be
sire, the unknown alternative heir,
but neither she nor Sister Theresa
was, imagined, a person capable OF
hiring an assassin to kill me.
On reflection | dismissed the idea
Of appealing to the county authorities,
md I never regretted that resolution.
The seat Of Wabana county was 20
miles away. the processes of law wers
infamiliai. and wished to avoid puc.
Lefty. Morgan might. OF course, have
been easily disposed of by an appeal
TO the Anmandale constable, but now
that I suspected Pickering Of treach
cry the caretaker's Importance OWN
lied. I had wanted all my life for
chance at Arthur Pickering, and in
this affair l hoped to draw him into
the open and settle with him.
l slept presently but woke at nv
usual hour, and after a tub felt ready
for another day. Bates served me,
rs usual. breakfast that gave a fair
aspect to the morning. l was alert
for any sign of perturbation in him:
but l had already decided that
might as well look for emotion in
stone wall as In this placid, coorless
serving man. l had no reason to sus-
pect him of completely in the nights
affair, but | had no faith in him, and
merely waited until he should show
his hand.
BY my plate next morning found
this note, written in Il clear, bold,
womans 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
infractdon of their discipline will be
overlooked. and they assure Mr.. Glen
arm that 1t will not reour."
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 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 Olivial born for
freedom. but doomed to a pent-up ex.
istence with lot OF nuns! resolved
TO send her a box Of candy sometime
Just to annoy her guardians. Then
my own affairs claimed attention.
Bates" asked, do you know
what Mr.. Glenarn did with the plans
for this house,"
He started slightly. I should not
have noticed 1t if / had not been SO
keen for his answer
mo, cir. l can't put my hand upon
hem, sir"
That's all very we'll, Bates, but you
didn't answer my question. Do you
know whore they are? I'll put my
hand on them If you will kindly tell
mo where they're kept"
Il tear very much, Mr.. Gienarm
that they have been destroyed, tried
TO and them before you came, to tel
you the whole truth. sir; but they
must have been put out Of the way
That's very interesting. Bates. Will
you kindly tell me whom you suspect
Of destroying them? The toast again
please"
His hand shook as he passed the
plate.
II hardly like to say, sir, when It's
only a suspicion
"Of course | shouldn't ask you &c
incriminate yourself, but I'll have te
Insist on my question. II may have
occurred to you, Bates, that IN sense
in a senBe. mind you--Im the mas
ter here"
Well I should say, IL you press me
that fear Mr. Glenarm, your grand
father. burned the plans when he LEFT
here the last time hope you vii
pardon me. sir, for seeming to reflec'
upon him.
Reflect upon the devil What wat
his idea, do you suppose?"
Il think, SIR, II you will pardon
Don't be SO fussyl" snapped
Damn your pardon. and 60 on"
"He wanted you to study out the
place for yourself. sir. 1t was dsal
To his heart. this house. He set hit
heart upon having you enjoy IT"
~ like the wOrd-go ahead"
And l suppose there ass thing
about It that he wished you to learr
for yourself"
You know them. OF course, and ar,
watOhing me when I'm hot and cold
Watching me to see when I'm hot ant
cold, like kids at a child's game"