Gilpin observer., 1908-07-09
it. l jumped behind the bushes. Th,

I It, / jumped behind the bushes. The
owner of the book was looking for her
property. On she came, running slow
| ly and glancing eagerly from side to
! side Of the pathway. AS she came OPP
posite me she stopped and snatched up
the book, and when she had run back
again the conviction that the Honor.
able Agatha was no other than Agatha
Fourth was forced in upon me.
So reused was by this event that +
turned my steps homeward at once
Suspicion had now fallen on every one
of the six Agathas. but this-this was
the most convincing of proofs! That
night l could hardly wait for the end
Of the evening, so that l could drag
Vincent into my room and disclose to,
him my final and greatest discovery. I
was so full of excitement over it, be-
sides feeling certain pride In my wit
and sagacity which had led to the dis
covery of so many important clews,
that l was rather disappointed when
Vincent received my disclosure with
Indifference.
"At it again, Arch" he said, rather
gloomily, as he sat cross-legged before
lily Hlt III ehlItIue dtSlldDlle, anu
smoking his vile pipe. What is the
use? 1 should think you'd get tired
OF pursuing the elusive gold | admire
your patience, my boy, but ! don't take
any more stock in this 'clew' than /
did in your others. When you think
that you have now fastened suspicion;
upon each one of the six fair ladies'
who have been christened Agatha j
marvel at the sanguine temperament
which permits you to place so much
Importance on this last find of yours
He stopped, and l answered him rather
sarcastically, as l didn't like the gen
tie ridicue of his tone or his lack OF
enthusiasm.
st seems to me-" I said, that coz
sidering how you've spent your time,
my dear boy, you are a very poor per-
son to look down upon my efforts to
turn this adventure of ours to some
account. The fact that l have kept
my eyes open and used those faculties
of penetration and observation of
which l am the natural possessor to-
discover a piece of information which
might prove of great value, not only
to myself, but also to you-this fact
I say, Vincent, ought hardly to bring
upon me your derision as we'll as your
lack of sympathy" l don't mind ad-
mitting that I really felt hurt, and
Vincent saw that I did.
He took his pipe out Of his mouth
and looked at me with those big, truth
full eyes of his so penitently that u
smiled inwardly; then he gathered up
his long limbs from my hearthrug and
came and ensconced himself at my
feet as sat in my easy chair.
We'll there, then" he said, patting
my hand as II I'd been an old woman
or a small child. Poor old Arch bald.
did l make it cross? Well, it was B..
shame," And he smiled at me with
such a mixture of contrition and fun.
that was obliged after a short strug-
gle to laugh unconstrainedly.
We'll, l suppose you will begin op-
erations according to your latest clew
tomorrow" he laughed at me.
did not answer him, and silence
fell upon us. l was pondering over
the problem and did not look at VIM
cent for long while, but when did
saw that his face wore a troubled
hopeless look, and that his whole at
titude indicated profound detection.
Vincent" l said, leaning over him.
what's the trouble?" 1 had been
noticing OF late that he had been sub
ject to fits Of melancholy altogether
out Of keeping with his character, and
l had come to the conclusion that he
had some trouble on his mind.
wanted to know what It was, so that
I could help him. When I spoke he
turned his head slowly and looked at
me moment solemnly, then smiled
family, the very ghost of that splen-
did, boyish smile of his, so that It went
to my heart
"Oh. Arch" he burst out, every
things wrong! But it's not my fault;
how could help loving herr"
was amazed. What was the boy
talking about. and who was it that he
loved?
Yes. sir" he wen. on: II met her
our miles from town carrying an OLD
,eggar-woman's bundle because the
,oor old thing had hurt her foot. And
vhen drew up the dogcart and asked
Ter to get in and take the bundle too
lhe shook her head. and. by Jove. she
wouldn't get In till let the old beg
yar.woman get in. tool" Vincent
urned to me positively radiant. All
rerhune!" he cried. you don't know
what II Is. l love her sol"
And as he stood there, his face
ranshgured. l grasped in moment
he meaning Of the whole thing and
he understanding struck like blow
u my heart and knew how dear the
Welfare Of this boy was to me. Some
aow,r Vincent represents to me the
.hings l might have been. and am NOT
| .ha thin1s I miRhf have won And