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

OutIlno OIL tno grey uOS, HOVlHS BOltly
across the floor
1t was, to Sir richards bedside THAI
the creature came, slowly, heavily,
without a sound. He never moved.
A minute later his clothes were on
the floor, and tho gray dogs head was
bending down over them.
Sir Richard sat up. The creature
had come In 80 softly that Candovef
had not even been disturbed. Just NJ
tho young man raised himself n low,
angry growl from the dog made BOTH
tho young men start. and as Sir Rich-
ard put out his hand to seize the ani<
NAL he felt the teeth OF the dog fas.
tening into his fingers.
1nstinctively he drew back, tearing
his hand away with cry. Before hd
could recover himself. before Candover
could leap out OF bed to his cousin'5
assistance. tho creature had bounded
away and disappeared. the door Gloss
ing upon 1t Immediately.
BY this time Candover was out oS
bed.
Are you hurt?" cried he, even as he
hurried to the door.
Yes---no. never mind me. Go afte1
the brute!" said his cousin.
But they had already lost too much
time.
when Candover reached the bottom
OF the stairs tho great kitchen was
bare. and not thing In 1t appeared to
have been moved.
Sir Richard followed in few mos
ments with light. before the peopls
upstairs. who were stirring at tho
noise, had done moro than call ont to
know what was the matter. Nobody
answered them.
Sir Richard. with his candle in hia
hand. went straight up to the alcova
where the old woman slept. and tore
the curtains roughly aside.
Did you SEQ" he began. when
suddenly he caught sight of something
which caused him to frame his ques-
tion differently. What were you do.
Ing upstairs?" he asked, shortly.
~ l! l haven't can't can't
movew stammered the old woman,
painting and breathing noisely.
Then, madam. I'm afraid we shall
be under the necessity of assisting you
to rise" said Sir Richard. and ex-
amlning your little nest here For Iya
had purse and ring stolen. and r
have very strong suspicion that
they're concealed about your bed"
For answer the old woman set I'm n
waVering cry. and pulled hard at a
bell-rope which hung beside her in tho
alcoVe. Candover was scandalized.
Leave the old woman alone" said he.
In low voice. Whatever she knows
you can't revenge yourself on her, you
known
Fronting by this diversion. the old
woman had hastily drawn her curtain.
thus shutting herself In from their
sight. But Sir Richard enraged at
inc pain OF his hand. which was bleed
Ing. and more suspicious than his
cousin had ever been, deliberately sc,
ire to one OF the curtains with thu
candle he carried.
with a hard laugh. Sir Richard toro
Off the bedclothes, ransacked ptliows
mattress. framework. everything. NJ.
ter thrusting the burning curtains ont
self
Then he turned towards his cousin
and the old woman, white. haggard.
speeches..
He had found-nothing.
He and his cousin exchanged looks
OF CONSERVATION. while the old woman.
whom Candover had seated in a chair.
chuckied at them grimly.
Well. gentlemen. pretty gentlemen.
maybe you're ashamed OF yourselyes
Tor what you've done to poor old wo-
man. Here. Ellen! Thomas! Look YOU.
look you'll" And she turned to the rest
OF the family. who now, having burst
open the locked door which shut them
into their part of the upper story.
came. Questioning. into the room. "Sea
what your fine visitors have done ia
me! They've set fire to me. tried IN
burn me alivei Oh, deary, dear!,
And the old woman burst into dis.
cordant. hysterical sobs and means.
while the host demanded sternly If this
were true.
Sir Richard stammercd. and tried ID
excuse his action; but Candoyer,
narrowly. remained mute.
Mr. KEGS was angrier each moment,
instead of maintaing the scared look
with which he had entered, he becams
each moment holder. fercer. They
should pay for this outrage; they
should give his POOR old mother COM
psnsation for what they had done.
huhored pounds would not be enough
10 compensate her for the shock.
Sir Richard was humble, willing to
make amends. He would even have
agreed on the spot to some substantial
sum as compensation, IL Candover had
not made sudden rush to the door,
and saying Wait a moment!" begun
20 undo the bolts which fastened it.
IN an instant the aspect of affairs
The members of the family
'Nchanged an apprehensive look, and
ellen sprang to the door and detained
me young man by main force.
Look you" said she; there's been
90 much fuss made already. We're
sorry this should have happened to
you. Stay quietly here. and there shall
30 no moro said about it, promise you.
let's, forgive and forget on both sides,
lnd-and We'll try to find your friends
ing and purse
They had the curiosity to go round
o the back Of the house; and there.
hanging on a gooseberry BUSH whore
t had evidently been thrown by an
energetic arm, was the big sheepskin,
With strings attached to it, which had
,ormed such valuable part of the
rankings of "the grey dog"
What made you suspect herr" asked
candover, In voice which was q little
For the discovery Of the ugly fraud
made them both feel dizzy and sick,
md of their balance, In an odd sort Of
way
II didn't suspect her until went IN
o her bedside. and noticed that she
vas painting as If after great exertion,
Then my unmasking Of her was rather
IN inspiration than arlvthine alec