The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-08


| major actually refrained from borrowing
save him expense.
One night Carbonnell won 1880 at the
! gaming table. The next day he fought a
duel in which Japhet acted as second.
He was unfortunate and fell, fatally
| wounded.
When his will was opened, it was found
that the cold-blooded man of the world
had left everything he owned to Japhet.
With the winnings from play and the
house Japhet found himself worth almost
sSOo0.
what a lucky dog you are" said Mr..
! Masterton, who had forgiven him long
before for his deception. Here you are a
protege of Lord Windermear, who should
J hate you, and instead has taken a vast
! fancy to you. Here am 1 who ought to
kick you out of doors, sir, inviting you
to dinner and, what is more. liking to do
it. And now you are in possession of a
modest competency. Japhet, you would
better give up this wild quest of yours
for father and let Windermear and my
self put you into the army or some pro-
fession. But you ought to start fair. At
present you are sailing under false COL
| ors."
Japhet agreed and proved it by telling
| the truth to his particular friend Har-
, court, with the explanation that he want
ed everybody to know it. Then he set his
teeth to meet the action Of fashionable
society.
Before the news had time to spread
Timothy Informed him that their house
had been watched for some time by
tribe wanted to steal Fleta again, and
Timothy suggested that he disguise him.
self, and, depending on the knowledge
of gypsy manners and speech that he had
attained in Melchiors band. gain the con-
fidence of the spy and learn his business.
Accordingly, he slipped out one night,
disguised so perfectly that even Japhet
he sent a message to say that their sus-
picions were correct. Then nothing came
from him for while.
While Japhat was wasting for Timothy's
return, he found another clue to his faith
er, as he thought. Without waiting for
reflection he packed a few clothes and
hurried to Ireland whittier the trail led.
AS usual he discovered nothing; but his
wild-goose chase turned into a great ad-
venture after all. In stage coach in
Ireland he saw opposite to him a sleeping
passenger who held a packet of papers
in his hand. On this packet was written
the name of the London agent whose ad-
dress Melchoir had given to him. While
Japhet was staring at it, the man dropped
the packet and Japhet saw that it was adj
dressed to Sir Henry de Glare, Mount
Castle, Connemara.
Japhet, filled with his mania for dis
covering parents, promptly Intercepted
the stranger, who answered surlily, evil
IDENTIFY suspecting him. He did, however,
manage to learn that Sir Henry had sue
ceeded his brother, Sir William, some time
ago. Sir William had left a wife, but no
children, their only child, daughter,
having been drowned in a mountain tor
rent years before.
Japhet noticed that his informant, who
proved to be Sir Henry's agent, stepped
out at the next stage to look at the way
bill, evidently to learn his name. The
mans secretiveness confirmed Japhet in
his consuming passion. He determined to
go to Mount Castle though he couldn't ex-
plain to himself what on earth he could
expect to find out.
At the point where stages were to be
changed for Connemara, the agent hired
chaise and departed some hours ahead
of Japhet, who had TO content himself
with a poor vehicle at last.
AS he went on, the journey presented
more and more difficulties. Unaccountable
delays held him back at every posting
place. The conveyances became poorer
and poorer. Several times there were
none ready at all SO thas he had to lie
over. At last, when he came within a
few hours ride of Mount Castle, he could
hire neither horse, vehicle or guide. I'm
daunted by the gruff behavior of the peo-
pie and the evident dislike that they
showed him, he determined to walk to
the castle.
At brook which crossed the road Just
before the entrance to the castle, he
stopped for a moment, bewildered by the
darkness of the night. There came the
sound~pf quick footsteps behind him and
as he turned a savage blow on his head
knocked him senseless.
When he recovered he found himself
locked in some underground place, APP
parently cellar. His head ached des-
perately from the blow. He had just as
sured himself that no serious harm had
been done when the door was unlocked