Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-06-17
CHAPTER xxi.

Mr.. Pegram was slightly dlsconcerted
at not receiving a letter from Lord LAX
irgton by return of post, in answer to the
one which he had written detailing the
account of Jack Phillmore's visit to Ryd-
land but he was made still further un-
easy by receiving a visit In the afternoon
from Mr.. Ringwood, who explained that
he came as Lord Lakingtons accredited
agent to see Mr.. Krabbe, and make few
inquiries concerning him.
Il am bound to mention, Mr.. Pegram,'
said Ringwood, in the course of conver-
sation, that Lord Lakington would never
have dreamt of sending me down here on
such an errand If you had not yourself
proposed it. I will, with your permis-
sion, just call upon Mr.. Krabbe to-mor-
row morning, and that will, think, be
quite sufficient"
pray do not think you want permis-
sion from me-" rejoined the old lawyer.
Anybody is welcome to call upon the old
man whenever they please"
SO it was all settled as Ringwood pro-
posed, although Mr.. Pegram was secretly
dissatisfied that the Viscount should have
taken him at his word. He had calculated
on a chivalrous reply from Lord Laking-
ton, to the effect that he could not In
suit him by thinking of such thing
AS sending down an agent to make the in
ouiry he courted. However, he was not
whit dismayed at any result that was
likely to attend Ringwood's investigations
Ringwood's inquiries had. as he expect
ed led to nothing. That old MI krabbe
lived as a pensioner of the Pegrams IN
a little cottage just off the Llanbarlym
Road was evidently firmly believed by the
good people of Rydland. That anybody
should be personating the ex-clerk had
never been limited at in the town. he had
no difficulty in finding the cottage, and 1t
was not till he was about to rap at the
door that a quick step upon the gravel
walk behind him made him pause, and he
saw Sam Hemmingby by his side
~ got into Rydland late last night,
and | do not think soul | knew saw me
stink In here. | came across country most
Of the way, for fear of meeting any one,
and have been skulking behind the hedge
for the last houh. l saw Bob Pegram
90 in bv the back way about half an hour
ago. he is come, | suppose, to warn this
old counterfeit to get ready for you, and
to keen an eve upon him while he plays
his part
At this moment the door was opened by
Mrs. Clark. who was, at first, most palpa-
blv disconnected by the appearance OF
Hemmingby on the scene. Recovering her
composure after a few seconds, she ush-
cred them into the little paror, and ad-
dressing herself to Ringwood somewhat
nointedly. explained in low voice that
Mr.. Krabbe would have finished dressing
in a few minutes, and see them if they
would sit down and wait.
"Where have / seen that woman be-
fore:" muttered the manager, as Mrs.
Clark left the room. Il am more con-
vinced than ever that | have seen her be-
fore. and that she knows me. 1t is just
the way she went on the last time L was
here-would not look at me, nor speak TO
me more than she was positively COM
peIled. You'll see
You think she is afraid Of your recog'
nizing herr
just so: and it was the hope that l
should do so prompted me chiefly to vol
unteer accompanying you in this visit"
At this iuncture the same decrepit
wreck of humanity that Jack PhillimOre
had seen tottered into the room, supported
bv the nurse on one side and his stick
on the other. Pausing as soon as he had
advanced three or four steps, he pointed
with his stick at his visitors and turning
to Mrc. Clark, exclaimed, in a piping
treble:
Tell them to go away"
Forced to reply in some fashion, the
nurse raised her voice and shouted into
the octogenarian's ear:
"These gentlemen have come all the
way from London to ask after you; won't
you say. How do you do to them"
But the old gentleman only replied by
incoherent mutterings, in which objurga-
tions, such as, "a pack of prying fools"
seemed mingled with querulous complaints
as to the scarcity of sunlight in these
days as compared with those Of his youth.
Hemmingby eyed the old man narrow
IL while the nurse busted herself In adjust
ing his cushions, wraps, ETC., and crossing
the room rapidly, held out his hand and
exclaimed:
How do you do, Mr.. KrabbeT'
The old gentleman looked at him for q
few seconds, then muttering sulkily that
Hemmingby had got between him and the
fire, nestled sullenly down amongst his
cushionA