The Big Sandy news., 1907-03-22
CHAPTER xI.
| Receive a Call.

/ 0oihb W Dcu at .tuIet . CLOCK on q
winter morning in a house whose
ways are disquieting, after duel in /
which you escaped whole only by |
sheer good luck, does not fit one for /
sleep. When l finally drew the covers |
over me it was 10 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 /. myself, could not accept Pick
ering's statement that my grandfath-
er's large fortune had proved TO be
myth. If Pickering had not stolen or
dissipated 1t. where was 1t concealed?
Morgan was undoubtedly looking for
something of value or he would not
risk his life in the business; and II
was quite possible that he was en-
,ployed by Pickering to search for hid
den property. This idea took strong
hold of me, the more readily, fear,
since had alwaye been axious to see
evil in Pickering. There was, to be
sure, the unknown alternative heir,
hut neither she nor Sister Theresa
was. | imagined. person capable OF
hiring an assassin to kill me-
On reflection | dismissed the idea
OF appealing to the county authorities,
and | never regretted that resolution.
The seat of Wabana county was 20
miles away, the processes of law were
unfamiliar, and | wished to avoid pub
hcity. Morgan might. of course, have
been easily disposed of by an appeal
90 the Anmandale constable, but now
that | suspected Pickering of treach-
cry the caretaker's importance dwin-
died. / had wanted all my life for
chance at Arthur Pickering, and in
this affair | hoped to draw him into
the open and settle with him.
| slept presently but woke at my
usual hour, and after a tub felt ready
for another day Bates served me,
as usual. breakfast that gave a fair
aspect to the morning. | was alert
for any sign of perturbation in him;
but | had already decided that
might as well look for emotion In
stone wall as in this placid, colorless
serving man. 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 l found
this note, written in a clear, bold,
Woman's hand:
THE Sisters of St Agatha trust
that the intrusion upon his grounds
ny Miss Armstrong. one of their stu.
Oents. has caused Mr.. Glenarm no an.
.noyAAce. The Sisters beg that this
infrAotion OF their discipline will be
overlooked. and they assure Mr.. Glen.
arm that It will not recur"
An unnecessary apology! The note
paper was of the best quality. Al
the head OF the page "St Agathas
Annandale" was embossed in)purple
One of the sisters | had seen beyond
the wall undoubtedly wrote itZpossi
bly, Sister Theresa herself A clever
woman. that Thoroughly capable OF
plucking money from guileless old
gentlemen Poor Olivial born fol-
freedom, but doomed to pent-up ex
istence with a lot OF nuns, resolved
TO send her box Of candy sometime
just to annoy her guardians. Then
my own affairs claimed attention.
Bates" | asked. do you know
what Mr.. Glenarm did with the plans
dor this house?"
He started slightly. l should moi
have noticed It II had not been sc
keen for his answer.
mo. sir. / can't put my hand upor
them, sir.
That's all very well. Bates, but yor
didn't answer my question. Do yoU
know where they are? I'll put my
hand on them If you will kindly tel
me where they're kept"
81 fear very much. Mr., Glenarm
that they have been destroyed. ! trieC
20 find them before yoL came. TO tel
you the whole truth. sir; but they
must have been put out of the way.
That's very interesting. Bates. VII
you kindly tell me whom you suspect
OF destroying them? The toast again
{ please"
His hand shook as he passed III
plate
Il hardly like to say, sir, when IT.
, only suspicion"
"Of course l shouldn't ask you I,
incrimlnate yourself. but I'll have tC
insist on my question. 1t may have
occurred to you. Bates, that in a sens
lin a sense, mind you-I'm the mas
Ger here"
We'll, should say, II you press m'
that fear Mr.. Glenarm. your grand
father. burned the plans when he lef
here the last time, hope YOU vii
pardon me. sir, for seeming to refec
upon him"
Reflect upon the devil! What wa
his idea. do you suppose?'
Il think. sir, II you will pardon
"Don't be so fussyl" | snapped
-Damn your pardon, and go on"
"Ie wanted you to study out th'
place for yourself. sir. II was dear
TO his heart this house. He set his
heart upon having You enjoy it,"
Il like the word-go ahead"
"And | suppose there are things