Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-25
CHAPTER vIu.-Continued.

k3 . - -
CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.
Perhaps should have said 90 II you
had not seen so-dictatorial; or maybe
should have set out ahead OF you. but I
happened to strike my forehead and-it
hurt"
Her face was still averted I could see
only the sweep OF the delicate features
as I looked down upon them. But then
observed two things-that there was
more ivory than coral In the beautiful
cheeks now. and that an ugly lump nad
raised just above the right eye.
why. you poor child.' cried. and
was down upon the sands before her In a
twinkling. You must let me take you
home directly. insist upon It. Your
mother will find something to reduce that
swelling and save you a headache. Come
which way shall we go?"
MY mother isn't in Winton," said the
girl. with the same note In her voice that
had detected when we were in the
water. and in that instant I became con-
thought-probably sixteen-and she was
laughing at me.
1T would. perhaps. be well IL she
We're" I remarked. uncomfortable in the
consciousness that l had been treating q
girl on the edge Of womanhood like a
child not yet in her teens but resolved to
carry on the farce. "Headstrong chill
dren need to be loked after as carefully
as young animals"
The girl made no response. For fully
two minutes we sat side by side upon the
sands and not a word passed between us.
Presently, without looking in my direc-
ton. she began to shake out her wet
locks.
May I take you homer" said then.
and you may observe, l asked 1t.
sweetly.
Then will you go now that may see
that you start safely?"
She made a move as IL to rise. but with
sudden glance at her clinging skirts
sank back again.
NO" she said.
A light shone In upon my brain.
You mean to sit here until / go?'
inquired. pleased with my extraordinary
perception.
She nodded and the dimples twinkled
at the corners Of her mouth. Her eye
lids fiuttered coaxingly. but were not per-
mitted to lift.
"oh! Very well: Then: goodbye.
hope you will feel no bad effects from
your plunge and the bruise."
Thank you: goodbye" she answered.
with unfiattering promptness. Il hope
you understand that I am properly CRATE
full to you for-saving my life"
l laughed. and knew that she wanted
IT understand. Of course" I made an
swer. please think Of me as q hero"
! went to the boathouse and spent an
Internationally long time there In the
hope that the girl would move away and
I could learn at least the direction that
she took. But when I locked the house
she still sat where had left her. and !
was presently forced to permit the trees
on the rising bank to shut her from my
view as returned to Horsforo 8 cottage
for q change Of clothing.
The cottage was as silent as q church
yard when entered II, and there were no
sounds OF life within 1t when l left 1t half
an hour later. But as / reached the path
around the sunken gardens looked back
and saw Mrs. Horsford. with the child
toddling at her side. crossing the strip Of
green that lay between the cottage and
the vegetable garden, where. doubtless.
she had been. My first thought was to
return to the cottage and question her
about the things uppermost in my mind.
Caution suggested q slower but probably
wiser course. and I turned to the grottos,
which had come to examine.
There were two OF them in the sunken
gardens. and from a distance they looked
like enchanted spots. f1t for fairy habita-
ton. The entrance in both cases was
hung with trailing woodbine. but there
the suggestion OF romance ended. for one
was but the hiding place for the pipes
that had once brought water to the foun-
tain. while the other was but two or
three feet deep-a mere archway for the
brick wall that banked the knoll above.
/ seated myself on a rustic bench that
stood near the larger grotto and present.
ly my mind became absorbed by the case
that I had taken In hand. The sudden
pausing OF a squirrel in his journey along
the knoll above me reused me at last to q
consciousness Of my surroundings.
arose and stretched myself and moved
from the gardens. The sun was we'll be-
had taken on that solemn stiffness which
descends upon the earth toward sunset
In summer.
felt glad that Gaspard was to arrive
within another hour. and with the recol-
lection walked briskly toward the stable
to ascertain whether Horsford had got
the horse that he had promised to let me
have at once.
AS passed the house 1t occurred to me
that I had not yet dispatched my first re-
port to Mr.. Summerfeld. due on the NOR
row. I let myself in through the creak-
ing door In the south extension and went
to my bag, which sat upon the floor in
one of the parlors. for paper. which
took to the tiny portico and. using my
notebook for q rest upon my knees.
sketched q brief statement Oh my move
ments during the past two days. so far as
they were likely to be Of interest to Mr..
Philander summerfeld.
When I hurried back to the bag to re-
turn the superfiuous paper I found on
the pile OF things I had turned over to
get at the paper-directly on top and so
conspicuous that could not overlook II.
q half sheet OF foolscap paper on which
was typewriter in capitals.
ONE WARNING FOR A MAN.
TWO FOR A FOOL.
THREE FOR A CORPSE.
WILL YOU AWAIT THE THIRD, OR
YOU LEAVE OVERLOOK?
With q flash OF grim pleasure felt for
my pistol and loaded IL. Then / slipped
down to the floor and did my best to dis
cover footprints. But a spirit. indeed.
might as well have left the message SO
far as any trace OF him was visible I'm
that half light. I tiptoed around. care
full to make no more mark than neces-
sary in the dust upon the floor, in my en-
deavor to find q lamp that could be used.
But the oil in each one had long since
evaporated The matches that I lighted
gave me little assistance. and after ten
minutes q small pile OF charred bits OF
wood was all that had to show for my
endeavor.
When loaded my pistol I was resolved
upon searching the house. but after try
ing the outside doors and finding them