Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-08

was led unwillingly into the weather,
Hotchkiss and in eclipse behind the blan-
ket The liveryman stood In the doorway
and called directions to US. You can't
miss It," he finished. Got the name over
the gate, anyhow, The Laurels.' The
servants are stin there: leastways we
didn't bring them down" He even took a
step into the rain as Hotchkiss picked up
the lines. If you're going to settle the
estate" he bawled, don't forget US, Peck
Peck. a half busheI Ct name and a
bushel OF service"
Hotchkiss could not drive. Born clerk,
he guided the roam much as he would drive
a bad pen And the roam splRttered through
puddles and splashed ink-mud, that is
until 1 was in a frenzy Of irritation.
What are We going TO say when we get
thereT' I asked after I had finally taken
the reius in my one useful hand. Get
out there at midnight and tell The servants
we have come TO ask & few questions
about the family? It's an idiotic trip,
anyhow; I wish I had stayed at home"
The roam fell just then. and We had to
crawl out and help him up. BY the time
we had partly embarrassed him Our
matches were gone, and the small bicycle
lamp on the buggy was waverlng only too
certainly. We were covered with mud
painting with exertion. and even Hotchkis'
showed a disposition TO be surly. The rain
which had lessened for a time. came oE
again, the lightning flashes doing morg
than anything else to reveal our isolated
position.
Another mile saw Us. if possible, more
respondent The water in our clothes had
had time TO penetrate: the roam had
al gNa al.
in a series Of convulsive jerks. And then
through the rain-spattered window. OF the
blanket, I saw a light. 1t Was a small
light rather yellow, and it lasted perhaps
thirty seconds. Hotchkiss missed il, and
was inclined to doubt me. But in a couple
of minutes the roam hobbled to the side OF
the road and stopped, and I made a break
in the pines and an srehed gate.
II was q small gate, too narrow for the
buggy. I pulled the horse into as much
shelter as possible under the trees, and We
got out Hotchkiss tied the beast and we
loft him there, head down against the
driving rain dropping and detected. Then
we went toward the house.
II was q long walk The path bent and
twisted. and now and then We lost it,
We were climbing as we went oddly
there were no lights ahead. although il
was only 70 O'clock-not later. Hotchkiss
kept q little ahead Of me, knocking into
trees now and then. but finding the path
IN half the time ! should have taken,
once, as I felt my way around q tree in
the blackness. / put my hand Unexpectedly
on his shoulder, and felt a shudder 60
down my back.
What do you expect me to do?' he
protested. when demonstrated. Hans
out red lantern? What was that? Lis
ten"
We both stood peering in the gloom. The
sharp 2attsr Of the rain on leaves had
ceased, and from Just ahead there canls
back 10 US the Etealthy padding Of feet In
wet soil. My hand closed on Hotehkiss
shoulder, and We listened together. warily
The steps were close by, unmistakable
The next flash Of lightning showed moth
ing moving. the house was In full view
now dark and uninviting looming huge
above a terrace, with an Italian gardeH
st the side. Then the blackness again.
Somebody's teeth were ehattering; ! &C
clssd Hotchkiss, but ne denied il
Although I'm not very comfortable. III
admit" he confessed; there was some
thing breathing right at my elbow here a
moment ago"
Nonsense" ] took his elbow and steerod
him In what / made out TO be the direc-
ton OF the steps Of the Italian garden
Il saw deer just ahead by the last flash
that's What you heard. BY jove l hear
wheels"
We paused 10 listen and Hotchkiss pu
his hand on something close 10 Us. Here