The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-26

(, night ut the Recse5' cottage, OF tho
disappearance OF small sums OF money
and there were tales told Of ghostly
grey dog who seemed to be always
visible to tho victims OF the losses.
"Will you charge these peopleY' ask.
ed the police officer.
But the young men shook their heads
and the man smiled.
That's always the end OF the story
said he. Nobody feels certain enough
to do more than mako a vague com.
plant. In that case. gentlemen. car
do nothing to help YOU"
"But are these losses constantly"
ooh dear no. sir. Some hundreds OF
tourists, stay there during tho summer
and only the few who seem to be bet
ter Off have any complaint to make.'
Then the ghost--if tho grey dog lie
| a ghost--appears to be discriminating?'
Yes. SIR"
They got no more satisfaction than
that, and they went away thoughtfully
Il feel strong inclination" said
Candover. when they had walked with
out word for some time. ito probe
this affair to the bottom"
80 do T." said Sir Richard, "and
next season well pay them another
visit"
But they'll know usr'
They shant. We won't 60 In our
own proper persons. I bet can dis.
guise myself 30 that they won't know
me; and IL you can't do the same, I'll
go alone"
Candover felt doubtful, although ho
knew. as we'll as his cousin. that ,he
numerous visitors the cottage would
have between now and next season
would probably obliterate the memory
OF them from the minds OF the Rees
family.
In the following summer, however.
he allowed himself to be persuaded to
assume the disguise OF pair of blue
spectacles. while his cousin went the
length OF shaving of his nous tache
and OF assuming clothes OF loud. sport
ing cut. which made a considerable Diff
ference in his appearance.
Candover. moreover, agreed to be
very taciturn and very gruff, while Sir
Richard adopted a Cockney accent
and slangy form OF speech. And,
armed thus. they once more appeared
at the cottage OF the Reeses, taking
care. on this occasion. not to arrive
much before dark. that their hosts
might have the less time for exami-
nation and recognition.
They ordered supper. and having
taken care in the first place to make
great display OF diamond ring.
borrowed for the occasion. and OF two
well-flled purses. they abstained from
tasting the ale provided until the meal
was over. when they took their tank
ards into the porch, and found an OPP
portunity OF emptying them surrepti-
tiously, so thet, IL the beverage had
been tempered with. they should not
be affected.
When the family had retired to rest.
as on tho previous occasion. after
passing through the guests chamber.
the cousins retired in their turn, and
took particular care to examine the
lock of the inner door. It was sound.
and they turned the key with ease.
The outer door was without lock,
as before, which seemed. on the whole.
z suspicious circumstance. Having
noted this. they went to bed. but took
care not to yield to the temptations
Of slumber.
The first faint rays Of light had be-
gun to penetrate the blind when Sir
Richard heard a soft sound on the
wooden staircase outside. He was on
the alert in moment.
Lying still, as quiet as mice, tho
young man then saw the door pushed
open without the least noise, and dis
cerned. in the darkness. the shaggy