The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-05-27
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swayed and melted.
The bent figure OF man raklng,
distorted by the perspective. was Wis
ible just beyond the high pillars OF the
gateway. He paid no attention to the
motions OF the motor car, nor did he
answer a hail until II was repeated.
Then he approached the car. Birdsall
was in the roadway trying to unlock
the gate. The man, whose Japanese
features were quite distinguishable.
bowed; ne 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 very great gentle
man from the 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 murmured.
but not leally any g'lost. no new"
Don't you believe in the ghost?"
asked Col Winter.
mo. me Clistian boy. no believe
not'ings."
"All the samee." said the colonel.
laboriously swinging himself from
hts underground Of the motor seat
to the fiat top OF the wall, thence drop
ping 10 the green sward below, "allee
samee, like go in house hunt ghost"
He cracked n bank note in the palm
OF the slim brown hand. smiling and
nodding as IL to 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 proffered
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.
ty. however. there seemed to be no
possibility OF persuading him to admit
them to the house.
Assured OF this, the two fell back
for a second. time for the merest eye
flash from the detective TO the soldier,
who at once limped briskly up 20 the
Jap, saying: I'VE 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 l will
see him-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 a
soiled card, explaining that II bore the
name OF the gentleman in charge OF
the property. Blrdsall. peeping over
the Jap's shoulders, added that IL was
the card OF a wellknown legal firm.
Then" said the colonel with de.
liberation. Eve will tha.k you again
for your courtesy. and-what's that?"
The Jap turned; they all started at
the barking defamation OF some sxplo-
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 key: he turned
II and swung the door barely wide
enough to enter, calling on them to
stay out; he would tell them II he
needed them.
"Augustly stay; maybe honorable
t'ieves!" 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
burning! Firel Firel" 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 conhagration
that he had drawn a heavy revolver
and ran with il in his hand. Before
he jumped out of the car he had dis.
carded his thick top-coat 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 fiower-beds, and would have
seen him straighten at the first peal
of the explosion, stare wildly at the
chimneys before any distinct smoke
was to DO seen, then run swiftly and
climb up to a low chimney on wing
of the house, watering-pot In hand. He
would have seen him empty his mad
equate fire extinguisher and rapidly
descend the ladder, while the smoke
,,o1iauad forth aa a. IafvfoU HE puuv