The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-18


ed loud in his ears. He must be
quick.
He leaned far out, feeling along
the face Of the wall. Far down as
his hand would reach his fingers
found nail beneath the whispering
leaves. A wire hung from 1t, but no
weight held 1t taut. He raised 1t. 1t
was loose for about four feet, and
it's end was doubled and curled as IL
united. The bag was not there. A
gasp escaped him. Feverishly he
felt among the vines for another nail
and wire. His hand grasped two,
but they we're too far away from the
window to have been reached by
Adele, and they were so firmly fast
ened below that they were evidently
the trainers" that the gardeners
had laid for the growing tendrils.
A sound reached his ears, like the
regular thump and splash of can
tering horse upon the drive. He
made out an approaching bulk. A
moment later the lights by the en-
trance shone upon two figures
streaming and steaming before the
porch-a horse, thoroughbred and
spattered saddle-high with mud, and
his rider, / stalwart man, a soaked
hunting cap drawn over his eyes, and
slicker covering him to the tops
of his puttees. Wendham drew back.
I'll ride over and leave the nag
with Billings" he heard Stacy's
voice tell the butler. Pm all right.
I'll walk over Ask Mr.. Evelyn il
he'll be so good as to lend me some
cid hunting puttees-the rest Of mes
dry"
Man and horse disappeared from
the misty circle of light before the
door and were lost in the darkness.
Wendham closed the window. His
mind was in a whirl of speculation.
One thing was certain, he must make
instant search at tho foot Of the
vines. Perhaps the BAG haG not been
securely tied. 1t might have drop
ped below. He scratched a match,
snatched up that which was the ex-
cuse of his visit, and fastening down
once more, delivered it into Adele's
lands. In the hanging closet be-
meath the stairs he found a mackin-
tosh. He threw it over his shoulders.
and, unobserved, made his way into
the tempestuous night, under the
windows of Mrs. Gaynor's former
room, and with eager haste felt the
rain-soaked earth. The bag was not
there. For ten feet to left and right
he explored the ground. He ran
his arms and hands into the dripping
foliage, in hope that the object of
his search had caught upon some
projection in its fall His efforts
were fruitless.
In despair he re-entered the house,
cast aside his sodden' outer garment.
and threw himself down upon the
sitting-room lounge to fathom this
new and menacing mystery.
Alice bounded down the stairs
two steps at time. AS she would
have put it herself, she was "gotten
up regardless" meaning her black
velvet concession to evening customs.
and her grandfather's diamond pin
in the soft folds of her stock.
are brick; but l had no idea I was
letting you in for a Walpurgis night
when I called you up, You must be
cold as Greenland's icy mountains.
Come, have a ball"
Thank you, Alice; you're good
guesser." The young man smiled
delightedly at his companion. He
was small and trim as jockey, but
broad of shoulder and iron in mus
Gle. His square countenance was
dark with tan, in which blue-gray
eyes shone in pale contrast. Well
groomed blond hair and a tawny,
close-clipped mustache, intensified
his personification of "neatness and
dispatch" Everyone swore by Joe
Stacy if he did have to earn his liv-
ing by his very capable management
of the Laughton estates. But no one
did this as frequently and fervently
as the tomboy beside him.
There you are, old man." she
said, as, standing before the laden
sideboard, she ministered to his
wants. Here, take one of Charles
private-stock cigarettes" She offered
him the square silver box, and pre-
sented the matches. Nov, come,
want to talk to you. You don't sup
pose I dragged you out like this just
for greens, when I know ycu are as
busy as terrier in a rat hole?"
mo, didn't think you did, and
I've had softening of the brain try
ing to guess why. You've all become
so spectacular over here that any
thing is possible. Has that blond
Easter Chicken accused you of her
troubles?"
mo; and besides," Alice laughed,
Charlie has found out her real name
its 'Skirling Harpie. He got that
off all by himself. You can imag-
Inc what pressure he was under. Let's
go to the gun room; the fire is lit
there, and nobody will be down for
an hour. BY the way, told Charlie
/ wanted your advice about Tiddledy-
winks' shoulder, and the news from
tho Sto hlo. On Oiua mo q line OP DoDu