The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-04-15
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COPYRIGHT -eosn5-rrsesILL CO.

hillsides where the wonderful shadows
swayed and melted
The bent figure OF a man raking.
distorted by the perspective. was Wis
ible Just beyond the high pillars OF the
gateway lie paid no attention TO the
motions OF the motor car. nor did he
answer a hail until Il was repeated.
Then he approached the car. Birdsall
was In the roadway trying 20 unlock
the gate. The man. whose Japanese
features were quite distingulshable,
sowed: he explained that the honor.
able owners were not at home; his
Insignificant self was the only keeper
OF the grounds. He spoke sufficiently
good English with the accompaniment
OF a deprecatory, amiable smile. Bird
sail. in turn. told him that his own
companion was a very great gentle
man from tho east who belonged TO a
society OF vast power which was In.
vestigating spectral appearances. and
that he had come thousands OF miles
TO see the ghost.
The Japanese extended both hands.
while the appeal OF his smile deep
ened. Too bad. velly." he murmurcd.
but not leally any g'lost. no new"
Don't you believe in the ghost?"
asked Col. Winter.
NO. me Ciistian boy. no believe
notings"
"All the samee." said the colonel.
laboriously swinging himself from
his vantage ground OF the motor seat
to the Fat top Of the wall. thence drop
ping 90 the green sward below. "allee
samec. like go In house hunt ghost"
He cracked a bank note In the palm
OF the slim brown hand. smiling and
nodding as II 10 break the force Of his
brusque action. Meanwhile. Birdsall
had safely shut OF his engine before
he placed himself beside the others
with an agility hardly to be expected
Of his rotund build
As for the caretaker, whether be-
cause he perceived himself outnum.
bered. or because he was really void
OF suspicion. he accepted the money
with outward gratitude and preferred
his guidance through the garden and
the orchards. He slipped into the role
OF cicerone with no atom OF resist.
ance; he was voluble: he was gracious:
he was artlessly delighted with his
senors. In spite OF this food OF suavi-
~. however. there seemed 10 be no
possibility OF persuading him 20 admit
them 10 the house.
Assured OF this, the two fell back
for second. time for the merest eye
fash from the detective to the soldier.
who at once limped briskly up TO the
Jap. saying: We are very much
obliged TO you; this Is a beautiful
house. beautiful gardens: but we want
TO see the ghost: and II you can give
me young Mr.. Arnold's address ! will
see hlm-or write. and We can come
back"
The gardener. with many apologies
and smiles. did not know Mr. Arnold's
honorable address. but he drew out
soiled Gard. explaining that Il bore the
name OF the gentleman In charge OF
the property. Birdsall. peeping over
the Jap's shoulders. added that II was
the card Of a well-known legal Arm.
Then" said the colonel with de.
liberation. I'VE will thank you again
for your courtesy. and-what's that?"
The Jap turned; they all started at
the barking defamation OF some explo-
sion; while they gazed about them
there came another booming sound.
and they could see smoke pouring
from the chimney and leaking through
the window joints of a room In the rear
OF the house. Like hare. not breaking
his wind by a single cry. the Jap sped
toward the court. The others were
hard on his heels. though the colonel
limped and showed signs of distress
by the time they reached the great
iron door.
The Jap pulled out a key; he turned
II and swung the door barely wide
enough. 90 enter. calling on them to
stay out; he would tell them II he
needed them.
"Augustly stay; maybe honorable
tieyes!" he cried.
But the detective had interposed a
stalwart leg and shoulder. Instantly
the door swung open; he acted as II
he had lost his wits with excitement.
You're burning up! Lord you're
burningl Fire! Fire!" he bawled.
and rushed boldly into the room
Winter followed him. also calling
aloud in a strident voice. And II
was to be observed. being such an I'M
usual preparation for a connagration.
that he had drawn a heavy revolver
and ran with II in his hand Before
he jumped out OF the car he had dis.
carded his thick topcoat and all his
wrappings.
An observer. also chad there been
one near, would have taken note of a
robust Irishman, who had been weed.
ing the flower-beds. and would have
seen him straighten at the FIRST peal
Of the explosion. stare wildly at the
chimneys before any distinct smoke
was 10 be seen, then run swiftly and
climb up to low chimney on a wing
Of the house. watering pot In hand. lie