Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-04-06
CHAPTER XVII.


anG came to the entrance of the cave.
Brinkley removed the stones and sand
from the hole, and entered Breathless
with curiosity, Matt followed They
reached the bottom. Brinkley struck a
light, and pointed out to her all the won
derful treasures which the cave contain
ed. 1t was such a surprise to the girl
that for time she could do nothing
but stare and stare in speechless won
der. Whistling gayly. Brinkley turned
about the cqsEs of rum and brandy, and
thrust his hands into the bags and let
the cleaning gold slip through his fingers.
MATHS amazement turned into awe.
Don't" she said, in a fearful whis-
per; lit belongs TO the fairies"
Brinkley laughed
1T belongs TO a very substantial fairy.
Matt, but l don't think that to-day / will
mention that fairys name Did you ever
see SO much money in all your life be-
fore, Matt?"
She shook her head, but her eyes were
still fixed upon the gold.
Il see," observed Brinkley, fippantly,
"the sight of that gold fascinates you
Well, so il did me at first, but you see
what use does. l can regard it now with
comparative calmneSs However, | have
particular wish to accustom you to
the sight of wealth; therefore, | shall
bring you here and show you this now
and again. Come Matt, tell me what
you would do if you Sere very rich, if all
this hotsam and jetsam in fact belonged
to you"
Without the slightest hesitation Matt
replied
Il should give it to you-leastways half
of it."
'Ah, the reply is characteristic. and
clearly shows you are not at present fit
ted to become the possessor of riches. But
shall bring you to the proper state of
mind in time, no doubt The next time
ask you a similar question you will
propose to give me a third. the next an
eighth, and so on, until you finally come
to proper state of mind, and decline TO
give me any at all. And now that have
made you the sharer of my secret we will
GO"
They left the cave once more and made
their way back across the sand hills.
Brinkley pausing to obliterate their foot
prints as they went. When they had pro
ceedea some distance he paused. and took
the girls hand.
"Good-by, Matt" said he IF it wasn't
for that promised smashing / should GER
tainly see you home"
Then do" returned Matt. II don't
care If he does smash me 80
Probably not. but l do. 1t would be
an episode in your career which it would
net be pleasant to reflect upon-therefore,
good-by. Matt--and-and God bless you,
my girl
He gave her fatherly salute upon the
forehead; bright flush overspread her
CHEEK as she bounded away. Brinkley
watched her until she was out of sight,
4Athen he turned, and strolled quietly on in
the direction of the Caravan
It's a strange game" he said. "and re-
quires careful waiting. | wonder what
my next move ought to be-"
He thought very deeply, but when he
reached the Caravan he found he had
come to no definite conclusion as to his
plans. He therefore partook cheerfully
of the repast which Tim had prepared
for him, and after he had smoked a couple
of pipes in the open air he retire.! to rest.
The next morning he began bordering
again.
Il have got my trump card" he said
TO himself but how to play up to il?
! have a splendid hand, but it will want
skillful managing if / am to win the
game. One false move would do for me.
for my opponents are crafty as foxes,
and they are two against one What is
my right move. | wonder? | wish some
good fairy would guide mel
lie took out his pipe, which was his
usual consider, and smoked while he took
few turns on the greensward outside
the Caravan
Suddenly an idea struck him.
Il think III pay a domiciiary visit to
Mr.. Monk" he said Il can meet him
now on pretty equal terms. If hint a
few things 10 him, the amiable gentleman
may think of becoming just"
He called up Tim. and sent him on
some trivial errand down to the village.
As soon as he was well out of the way
Brinkley entered the Caravan. produced
some papers from the inner pocket of his
coat, and locked them up securely in his
trunk.
$50 far so good" he said "My amiable
friend may not be in an amiable mood.
and | don't wish him to get any advan.
'age of me. -
He did not even take with him the
key Of the box. but having attached TO it
: small piece of paper. on which were
come written Instructions be hid il in the
Caravan and started off upon his journey.
II was dark. gloomy morning, giving
every promise of coming storms As he
passed through the wood which surround
ed Monkshurst House. the wind whistled
softly among the trees making moan
like the sound of human voices.
IA gloomy place" said Brinkey: "a it
residence for such as he. ANY dark deed
might be committed here, and who would
know ?"
The path which he followed was neg
lected carriage drive strewed with stones.
overgrown With weeds and bordered on
either side by the thick trees of the for
est. Presently the trees parted. and be
came in view of the house.
A large gloomy looking building, as
neglected rs the woodland in the center of
which il stood. Ii seemed as il only a
part of il was inhabited. and the large
garden at its back was unprotected by any
wall, and full of overgrown fruit trees.
The door was opened by a grim elderly
woman. He inquired for Mr.. Monk, and
was informed that he was at home. The
next minute he was standing in lonely
library, where the owner of the house was
hvsy writing Monk rose. and the tive
stood face 10 face.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ii is not my purpose 10 describe the
Interview which took place between my
hero and Mr.. Monk. Suffice il to say that