Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-26

not emerge till morning light.
Meanwhile, confusion filled the
house. Harris, the overseer Of the Is
land, had assumed control Of the sit
uation.
Mr.. Hawkstone has been murder
ed" he said, addressing the crowd tina,
choked the main hall. We have nc
time to waste here. Divide yourselves
into squads and search every inch oi
the island. The murderer cannot be
far away. That he Is a stranger goes
without saying, for you all know No
islander has killed Philip Hawkstone
It's reasonable to suppose that the
scoundrel will be anxious to get of
at the first chance. So, fetch your Ian
terms, every one of you. Set sentinels
at the landing places, you, Sampson
turning to a grizzled man in a pea
Jacket and norwester-"must go over
to the mainland for help. You are the
best sailor among us-storm or no
storm, you must go. I will guard the
house. If a strange person is found
anywhere on the island, bring him to
me-on your lives, don't let him es-
cape"
They separated to do Harris bid
ding. Joe Derby alone remained be-
hind, and, with the overseer, searched
the house and grounds. There mao
been no struggle. neither robbery. for
Philip Hawkstone's watch, set with
diamonds, and his well-filled purse
still lay on the table beside his bed.
A window stood open nearby to admit
the air. Outside was the roof of the
porch. BY this way, probably, the as
sassin had come and gone, leaving no
trace.
Derby mentioned to the overseer the
search which he had made once before
that night at Hawkstone's bidding, and
his ill-success.
Heaven above, mani" cried Harris;
that was the murderer. you may be
sure, prowling about the premises
even then! What was he like"
Hanged II I know" answered Der
by, in an aggrieved tone. II didn't see
so much as the print of his foot. But
Mr.. Hawkstone seemed a good deal
upset about it." .... ..
you have clue--you must follow
1t up" said Harris. -.
That's easier said than done,
grumbled Derby.
However, he also took lantern, and
went out to join in the search.
Down the island road he stalked, till
he came to the church, which stood In
a green hollow facing the sea. On one
side was the graveyard, where slept
the Hawkstones of many generations
with their servants gathered around
them. AS Derby reached the gate he
saw that 1t stood wide open. Cau-
tiously he entered, peering into the
darkness for some movement OF life
among the dead. On his right was the
family tomb Of the Hawkstones; on
his left, in the shadow Of the church
wall stood a slab raised on four stone
legs, and inscribed with the name and
virtues of some retainer Of the house
AS Derby drew near, he discovered
something perched on this slab-an
object blacker than the surrounding
gloom-living, too, for 1t moved as he
approached.
TyVbo,S there ." he called
No voice answered. He swung his
light aloft, and saw girl, in red
cloak, sitting there in the storm and
darkness. and looking down upon him
with wicked, shining eyes.
Peg Patton, you mink" cried Der
by; what are you doing here at this
hour Of night?"
"Ill answer your question by asking
another" she answered, dryly. "Joe
Derby, you fool! what are you hunting
in Tempest Island graveyard at two
o'clock in the morning."
THE party that killed Mr.. Hawk
stone" bristled Joe. wish I had my
fingers around his windpipe! Loro
love US! You look uncommonly queer
sitting up there, girl! You ought to be
on your knees. praying. S'pose yot
haven't forgot how young master use6
to be sweet on you?"
She gave a weird laugh. Her saw
age face cleaned ashy pale through
disheveled hair.
Forget? Oh, no." she answered. HE
was my lover once; he'll never be low
er to anybody again, it seems. THANH
God he's dead! I'd rather he'd be dead
than to belong to another woman. I'm
looking myself for the person tha
killed him; it's great fun, too-ha!
| ha!"
Like most Of the island folks. Jot
was compassionately inclined toward
this girl, whom Philip Hawkstone, fol
mere selfish pleasure, had made tc
suffer such grievous heartache.
Look here. Peg" he said kindly
Mr.. Hawkstone's sudden end hasn'
turned your head, hope? Come dowr
from that slab and I'll go home will
you. It's a black road to the Inlet a
this hour, and nobody knows wha
devils may be abroad on the island to-
night"
DO you think I'm afraid of any
thing. dead or alive, on the Tempest?
sneered Peg Patton. do you think
can't defend myself against whateve
walks here? Feel my fists, Joe Derb!
and then say whether they were mad
for use or not"
She leaped at him like panther
stunning blow, which would have dom
credit to any male islander, toppe'
him over, strong man that he was
Iamong the graves. His head struck
sunken memorial stone, and he los
consciousness.
A cold drip Of rain on his upturne'
face revived him at last Chagr1ne'
and discounted, Joe scrambled to hi
feet, and picked up his lantern from
the grass Peg was gone. He wa
alone in the churchyard. dazed ant
Ichilled. He looked around.