The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-09-01
CHAPTER III (Continued).


And then the spell developed. A
nameless but loathsome fascination
drew me from my seat, drew me
with uneven and reluctant foot
steps out of the gate and down the
narrow straight road. There was
still not a soul in sight. / drew
nearer and nearer to the spot.
Once more l essayed to move him.
It was utterly In vain. Such nerve
as possessed had left me wholly
and altogether. A sense of repul-
sion, nauseating, invincible, made
h childof me. stood up and looked
around wildly. Then for the first
time I saw what my right foot had
trodden into he sand.
picked it up. 1t was a mans
signet ring, thin and worn smooth
with age. 1t was quantity shaped,
and in the center was set a small
et.black stone. The device was a
bird, and underneath the motto
'Vinco!"
/ slipped the ring into my waist
coat pocket and moved back to the
while ratings. Taking q pipe and
tobacco from my pocket, began to
smoke.
Strangely enough, I had now re-
powered my nerve. l was able to
hink and reason calmly. The
woman at the lodge had AIKEN 1t
or granted hat his mans body had
been brown up by he sea. Was
rs B hwla0 pi--
hat a possible conclusion? There
vas a line all down the sands
where the tide had reached, q
traggling uneven line marked with
uge masses of wet seaweeds, frag-
nents Of timber, the flotsam and
etsam of the sea. The creek where
he mans body was lying was 40
ards above this. Yet on such q
light who could say where those
reat breakers, driven In by the
vind as we'll as by their own
mighty force. might not have cast
heir prey? Within few yards Of
i'm was a jagged mass Of timber.
he cause Of those wounds would
e obvious enough. I felt the ring
my waistcoat pocket-it was
here, safely enough hidden, and I
boxed toward the lodge. AS yet
here were no signs of John or the
art.
But behind me, coming from the
illage, l heard the sound of light
nd rapid footsteps. turned my
esd. 1t was Blanche Moyat,
hort.skirted, stick in her hand,
feather stuck through her Tam
Shanter.
Good morning." she called out
Earthly: i've been to call at your
bttage."
Very kind of YOU" l answered,
esitatingly.
Miss Mowat was good-hearted,
ut little overpowering, and in
Prtin moods she reminded me of
"Oh, l had an errand," she ex-
aimed, laughing. Father said II
saw you was to say that he has
call on the duke this afternoon,
Id, II you liked, he would explain
,out your lecture last night, and
and get the village hall for you
nothing. The duke IL very
|od-natured, and IL he knows that
spoilt your evening, father
inks he might let you have 1t for
thing"
ut is very kind of your father"
answer. Il do not think that l
all ever give that lecture again"
why not?" she protested. II am
re thought 1t a beautiful lecture,
ID I'm not keen on churches and
ms myself" she added, with a
ugh. what are you doing here?"
Watching the dead" answered
imly.
She looked at me for an explana-
IN. | pointed to the dark object
the side of the creek. She
reamed and caught hold of my
m.
MIR. Ducaine!" she cried. "What
TT"
"A dead mani" l answered.
'Oh, how horrible!" she ex.
lined. 81 don't know whether
int to look or not. I've never
Pm any one dead"
I should advise you," said, "to
away"
t was apparently the last thing
desired to do.
You are sure he Is dead?" she
ked.
Quite" l answered.
Was he drowned, then?"
y. =