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

The facts ard conclusions were un-
doubtediy with Bates. and / felt that
l had not acquitted myself creditably
IN my effort to fix the crime on him.
Ny abuse OF HIM had been tactless, to
say the least. and now tried another
line of attack
"Of course. Bates. was merely iolx-
ing. What's your own theory OF the
natter"
4 have no theory, sir. Mr.. Glenarm
always warned me against theories.
He said-if you will pardon me-there
was great danger IN the speculative
mind"
The man spoke with a slight Irish
accent. which in itself puzzled me. 1
have always been attentive to the
peculianties Of speech, and his was
not the brOgue OF the Irish servant
class. Larry Donovan. who was Eng
lish born. affected at times an exag-
gerated Irish dialect that was wholly
different from the smooth liquid tones
OF Bates But more things than his
speech were TO puzzle me in this man.
The person In the canoe? How do
you account for herr" asked
Il haven't accounted for her. sir.
There's no women on these grounds.
or any sort Of person except our
selves"
But there are nelghbors.-farmers
people OF some kind must live along
the lake"
"a few. sir: and then there's the
school quite a bit beyond your own
west wall"
His slight reference to my proprie.
torship. my own wall. as he put it.
pleased me.
"Oh, yes: there is a school-girls?-
yes: Mr.. Pickering mentioned Il. But
the girls hardly paddle on the lake at
night. at this season-hunting ducks
should you say. Bates?"
Il don't believe they do any shoot
ing. Mr. Glenarm. It's a pretty strict
school. I judge. sir. from all accounts
and the teachers-they are all
women?"
They're the Sisters OF st. Agatha.
! believe they call them. I sometimes
see them walking abroad They're
very quiet neighbors. and they go away
in the summer usually. except Sister
/ Theresa. The schools her regular
home. sir. And there's the little
chapel Just beyond the wall: the young
minister lives there: and the garden.
er's the only other man on the
grounds"
show me my CELL" said. rising.
"and I'll go 20 bed"
He brought from somewhere a great
brass candelabrum that held n dozen
lights. and explained:
This was Mr. Glenarm's habit. He
always used this one 10 go 10 bed with.
I'm sure he'd wish you TO have Il. sir"
He led the way holding the cluster
Of lights high for my guidance up the
broad stairway.
The hall above shared the generous
lines OF the whole house. but the walls
were white and hard 20 the eve. Rough
planks had been laid down for a floor.
and beyond the light OF the candles lay
a dark region that gave out ghostly
! echoes as the loose boards ratified UNI
der our feet.
Il hope you1l not be too much DIS
appointed. SIR" said Bates. pausing a
moment before opening a door ITS
all quite unfinished. but comfortable, 1
should say. quite comfortable"
open the C>ori"
He was not my host and I did not
relish his apology. / walked past him
I into a small sitting-room that was. In
a way. a miniature OF the great library
| below. Open shelves filled with books
lined the apartment 20 the ceiling on
/ every hand. save where a small fire
/ place and a cabinet broke the line OF
| shelving. In the center OF the room
was a long table with writing mate
/ rails in nice order. / opened a hand
| some case and found that II contained
q set Of draftsman's instruments.
/ groaned aloud.
Mr.. Glenarm preferred this room
/ for working. The instruments were
his very own. sir!"
THE devil they were!" exclaimed.
irascibly. I snatched a book from the
nearest shelf and threw II open on the
table. II was The Tower: It's Early
Use for Purposes Of Defense. London:
1916"
1 closed II with a slam.
The sleeping-room is beyond, sir. !
| hope"
Don't you hope any more," l
growled; "and II doesn't make any DIFF
ference whether I'm disappointed or
not"
Certainly not. sir" he replied in a
tone that made me ashamed OF my
anger.
The adjoining bedroom was small
and meagerly furnished. The walls
were unlimited and were relieved only
by prints OF the English cathedrals,
French chateaux. and like suggestions
OF the best things known 10 architec-
ture. The bed was OF the commonest
iron type; and the other articles OF
furniture were chosen with a strict re-
gard for utility. My trunks and bags
had been carried IN, and Bates asked
from the door for my commands.
Mr.. Glenarm always breakfasted at
seven-thirty. sir. as near as he could
hit II without timepiece; and he was
quite punctual."
MY grandfather's breakfast hour
Will suit me exactly Bates"
IF there's nothing further, sir"
That's all;-and Bates"