The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-03-21
Copyright 1906 BY BobOs-Merriil Co.
CHAPTER iv.-continued.

unuclDfuAU SiuildI W Nndi tniphbu
which we had approached the house.
Bates swung along confidently enough
ahead of me, pausing occasionally to
hold back the branches. | began TO
feel, as my rage abated, that had set
out ON a foolish undertaking. | was
utterly at sea as to the character of
the grounds: / was following a man
whom had not seen until two hours
before, and whom I began to suspect
Of all manner OF designs upon me. Il
was wholly unlikely that the person
who had fired into the windows would
lurk about. aud moreover. the light OF
the lantern. the cracl,le of the leaves
and the breaking of the boughs adver-
tised our approach loudly.
A bush slapped me sharply aud
stopped to rub the sting from my face.
Are you hurt. sir?" asked Bates so
iici.ously. turning with the lantern.
"Of course not" / snapped. I'm
having the time OF my life. Are there
no paths in this jungle?"
Not just here, sir. Il was Mr.. Glen
arms idea not to disturb the wood at
all He was very fond of walking
through the timber"
Not at night hope. Where are
we now7"
quite near the lake. sir"
Then go on"
was out of patience with Bates.
with the painless woodland, and.
must confess, with the spirit of John
Marshall Glenarm. my grandfather.
We came out presently upon gray-
city beach. aud Bates stamped sud
denly on planking.
This is the Glenarm dock, sir; and
that's the boat house"
He waved his lantern toward a low
structure that rose dark beside us. AS
We stood silent, peering out into the
starlight. I heard distinctly the dip Of
a paddle and the soft gliding motion of
a canoe.
ITS a boat. STR" whispered Bates.
hiding the lantern under his coat.
brushed past him and crept to the
end Of the dock The paddle dipped
en- silently and evenly in the still
water but the sound grew fainter. A
canoe Is the most graceful. the most
sensitive, the most inexplcabie con
trivance Of man With its paddle you
may dip up stars along quiet shores OF
steal into the very harbor of dreams
knew that furtive splash instantly
and knew that trained haad welded
the paddle Ny boyhood summers in
the Maine woods were not. ] hn1
wholly wasted
The owner OF the canoe had evident
~ stolen close to the Glenarm doc g.
but had made on when alarmed by the
noise OF our approach through the
wood
Have you a boat near here, Bates?'
asked.
The boat house is locked and
haven't the key with me, sir" he re-
piled. without excitement.
"Of course you haven't It," re-
joined, full OF anger at his tone Of ire
proaehable respect. and at my own
helpfulness. I had not even seen the
place by daylight. and the woodland
behind me and the lake at my feet
were things Of shadow and mystery.
In my rage stamped my foot.
LEAD the way back, roared.
had turned toward the woodland
when suddenly there stole across the
water voice.--s woman's voice, deep.
musical and deliberate.
Really. | shouldn't be so angry If
were you," II SAID, with a lingering
note on the word angry.
who are yos' What are you doing
thereg" bawled.
Just enjoying little tranquil
thought" was the drawing mociIlng
reply.
Far out upon the water | heard the
dip and glide OF che canoe. and saw
fsintly It's outline for a moment; then
it was gone. The lake, the surround
ing wood. were an unknown world
the canoe. a boat OF dreams. Then
again came the voice;
Good night, merry gentlemen"
1T was a lady sir" remarked Bates,
after we had waited silently for a full
minute.
How clever you are," | sneered.
Il suppose ladies' prowl about here at
night, shooting ducks or into peoples
houses"
III would seem quite likely. sir"
should have liked to cast him into
.he lake. but he was already moving
away. the lantern swinging at HIS side.
. followed him. back through the wood
land TO the house.
Ny spirits quickly responded to the
cheering influence OF the great library.
! stirred the fire on the hearth into
life and sat down before IL, tired from
my tramp. / was mystihcd and per
picked by the incident that had al
ready marked my coming. It was pos
sibie. 10 be sure. that the bullet which
narrowly missed my head in the little
dining room had been a wild shot that
carried no evil intent. ! dismissed at
once the idea that 1t might have been
cred from the lake; II had crashed
through the glass with too much force
10 have come so far; and. moreover. /
could hardll Imagine even a rife ball