The newspaper., 1909-01-15

rocious and inarticulate howl from the
train starter announced the fact that
the 1889 was in waiting.
Boarding the train in a thankful
spirit. Maitland settled himself as. com
fortably as he might in the smoker
and endcavored to find surcease OF
ennui in his collection of extras. In
vain; even a two-column portrait OF
MIR. Dan Anisty, cracksman. accom-
panied by viyacious catalogue of that
notorietys achievements in the field of
polite burglary, hardly stirred his in
terest. An elusive resemblance which
he traced in the features of Mr.. Anisty.
as presented by the sketch-artist-on-
tne-spot, 20 some one whom he. Matt
land, had known in the dark back
wards and abysm of time. merely drew
from him the comment: "Homely
brute" And he laid the papers aside,
cradling his chin in the palm Of one
hand and staring for a weary while
out OF the car window at reeling and
moonsmitten landscape. He yawned
exhaustively his thoughts astray be-
tween a girl garbed all in gray, Ban
nerman's earnest and thoughtful face
anu ih1 pei VI -fAAr
Daniel Anisty, at whose door Maitland
laid the responsibility for this most
fatiguing errand.
The brakeman's wolf-like yelp-
"Greenfields. WAS ringing in his
ears when he awoke and stumbled
down aisle and car steps just in the
nick of time. The train. whisking
round curve cloaked by a belt of
somber pines. left him quite alone in
the world. cast ruthlessly upon his
own resources.
An hour had elapsed: 1t was now
midnight; the moon rode high. cold
white disk against a background OF
sapphire velvet. its pellucid rays re-
vealing with disheartening distinct
ness the inanimate and lightless road
side hamlet called Greenfields; its gen
eral store and postofiice. its soi-disant
hotel. its struggling line OF dilapidated
bifations. all wrapped in silence pro
found and impenetrable. Not even
dog howled; not a belated villager was
in sight: and it was a moral certainty
that the local livery service had closed
down for the night.
Nevertheless. Maitland. with
desperation bred of the prospective
five-mile tramp. spent some ten val
liable minutes hammerins upon the
door OF the house infested by the pro-
prietor of the livery stable. lie sue
ceeded only in waking the dog. and
inasmuch as he was not ON friendly
terms with that animal. presently
withdrew at discretion and set his face
northwards upon the open road.
1t stretched before him invitingly
enough. a ribbon winding silver-white
between dark patches of pine and
scrub-oak or fields lush with rustling
corn and wheat. And. having over
come his primary disgust. as the blood
began to circulate more briskly In his
veins. Maitland became aware that he
was actually enjoying the enforced ex-
ercise. II could have been hardly
otherwise. with night so sweet. with
airs so bland and fragrant of the woods
and fresh-iurned earth. with so clear
a light to show him his way.
He stepped out briskly at first
swinging his stick and watching his
shadow. a squat. incredibly agitated
silhouette In the golden dust But
gradually and insensibly the peaceful
Influence Of that still and lovely hour
tempered his hearts impatience: and
he found himself walking at pace
more leisurely. After all. there was
no hurry: he was unwearied. and Matt
land Manor lay less than five miles
distant.
Thirty minutes passed: he had not
covered third Of the way. yet re-
ma!ned content BY wcll-remembered
landmarks. he knew he must be near
ing the little stream called. by courtesy.
Mayannis river; and. in due course; he
stepped out upon the long wooden struc-
ture that spans that water He was
close upon the farther end when
upon hapchance impulse-he glanced
over the nearest guard rail. down at
the bed of the creek. And stopped in
continently, gaping.
Stationary in the middle Of the de-
preston. hub-deep in the shallow wa
ters, was a motor car: and It. beyond
dispute. was identical with that which
had occupied his thoughts on the ferry
boat. Less wonderful. perhaps. but to
him amazing enough. 1t was to dis
cover upon the drivers seat the girl
in gray.
His brain benumbed beyond further
capacity for astonishment, he accepted
without demur this latest and most as
founding OF the chain OF amazing co
fprfdancac which had thuQ far en1iy-