Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-02-15

a. voice of quality. of breeding and
charm.
Good night, merry gentlemen"
In Indiana, reflected. rustics. Young
or old, men or women. were pr baby
not greatly given to salatations OF just
this temper. %
Bates now appeared.
BEG pardon. sir; but your rooms
ready whenever you wish to retire"
| looked about In search Of a clock.
There are no timepieces In the
house, Mr.. Glenarm. Your grandfather
was quite opposed to them. He had
a theory. sir. that they were conducive.
as he said, to idleness. He considered
that man should work by his con-
science, sir. and not by the clock.-the
one being more exacting than the
other"
| smiled as | drew out my watch
as much at Bates solemn tone and
grim, lean Tsage as at his quotation
from my grandsire. But the fellow
puzzled and annoyed me. His unob-
trusive black clothes. his smoothly.
brushed hair. his shayen face, awak.
ened an antagonism in me.
Bates, II you didn't fire that shot
through the window. who did-wiIl you
answer me that"
Yes, sir. II didn't do Il, It's quite
a large question who did. I'll grant
you that sir"
| stared at him. He met my gaze
without ninching; nor was there any
thing insolent in his tone or attitude.
He continued:
Il didn't do II, sir. was in the
pantry when | heard the crash in the
refectory window. The bullet came
from out Of doors. as should Judge,
sir"
The facts and conclusions we're un.
doubtedly with Bates, and | felt that
| had not acquitted myself creditably
In my effort to fix the crime on him.
My "buse OF him had been tactless. to
say the least, and now tried another
line of attach.
of course, Bates. was merely jok-
ing. What's your own theory Of the
matter!
y 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. |
have always been attentive 10 the
peculiarlties Of speech, and his was
not the brogue Of the Irish servant
class. LAIR! Donovan. who was Eng.
lish born, affected at times an exag.
eerated Irish dialect that was wholly
different from the smooth liquid tones
of Rates. But more things than his
speech were TO puzzle me in this man.
THE person in the canoe? How do
you account for her." | 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 observation-disclosures.
people Of some kind must live along
the lake"
"A few. sir; and then there's the
school quite bit beyond your own
west wall"
His slight reference TO my proprie.
torship, my own wall, as he put Il
pleased me.
"Oh, yes: there is a school-girls?-
yes: hr. Pickering mentioned it. But
the girls hardly paddle on the lake at
night, at this season-hunting ducks
SHOULD you say, Batesg
Il don't believe they do any shoot.
Ing, Mr.. Glenarm. It's a pretty strict
school. | Judge. sir. from all accounts"
And the teachers-they are all
women
They're the Sisters of st. Agatha
believe they call them. sometimes
see them walking abroad. They're
very quiet neighbors, and they 20 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 ne my CELL" | said. rising.
"and III go to bed"
He brought from somewhere a great
brass candelabrum that held a dozen
lights, and explained:
This was Mr.. Glenarm's habit. He
always used this one TO 60 to bed with.
I'm sure he'd wish Won to have It, 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 to the eye. Rough
planks had been laid down for a floor,
and beyond the light Of the candles lay
dark region that gave out ghostly
echoes as the loose boards ratified un-
der our feet.
Il hope you'll not be too much dis
appointed, sir" said Bates. pausing a
moment before opening q door. Its
all quite unfinished, but comfortable, |
should say, quite comfortable"