The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-10-04
0
The House of the
Whispering
Pines

anu KdLiuk WIN ~ AhtIhtht'' "esN.
made him entirely oblivious OF my
presence at the very spot and on the
/ very grave which had been the end Of
my own pilgrimage. So motionless be
stood and so motionless ! myself be-
came at this unexpected and signifi-
cant sight that presently imagined L
could hear bis signs In the dread quiet
into which the whole scene had sunk.
Grief deeper than mine spoke In
those laboring breaths. Adelaide was
mourned by some one as for all my
remorse could never mourn her.
And I did not know the man.
Was not this strange enough to rouse
my wonder?
/ thought so and was on the point
| of satisfying this wonder by quick
advance upon this stranger when
there happened an uncanny thing
which held me In check from sheer
establishment. | was so placed In ref
erence to one of the street lamps |
have already mentioned that my shad-
ow fell before me plainly along the
snow. This had not attracted my at
tention until at the point of moving
cast my eyes down and saw two shad-
ows where only one should be.
AS / had heard no one behind me
and had supposed myself entirely
alone with the man absorbed In con-
temptation of Adelaide's grave ] ex-
perienced a curious sensa ton. which.
without being fear, held me still for a
moment, with my eyes on this second
shadow. 1t did not move any more
than mine did This was significant.
and I turned.
! A man stood at my back-not look
ing at me. but at the fellow in front
of us. A quiet "Hush!" sounded in
nv ear. and again | stood still. but
only for an instant.
The man at the fence. aroused by
my movement perhaps. bad turned
and. seeing our two figures. started to
fly in the opposite direction. lnstinc-
lively | darted forward in pursuit. but
was soon passed by the man behind
me. This caused me to slacken. for
had recognized this latter as be flew
by as Sweetwater. the detective. and
knew that he would do this work bet
ter than myself.
But | reckoned without my host.
He went only as far as the spot where
the man had been standing When in
my astonishment | advanced upon
him there be wheeled about quite nat
urally in my direction and. accosting
| oil in hiS 0nniaI
offhand manner:
There is no need for us to tire our
legs in a chase after that man. know
him well enough"
land who / began.
A quizzical smile answered me. The
a perfect view of his. Its expression
quite disarmed me. but | knew. as well
as If be had spoken. that | should re-
ceive no other reply TO my half formed
question.
Are you going back into town. be
asked. as / paused and looked down
at the umbrella swinging in his hand.
| was sure that he mad not held this
umbrella when he started by me on
the run. 1T so. will you allow me to
walk beside you for little wayr
could not refuse him: besides. l
was not sure that wanted to. You
are quite welcome" said /, and again
cast my eye at the umbrella.
"You are wondering where | got
this" he remarked. looking down at 1t
in his turn. II found it leaning against
the fence. 1t gives me all the clew |
need to our feet footed friend MIR.
Ranelagh. will you credit me with
good intentions If 1 ask a question or
two which you may or may not be
willing 10 answer"
"You may ask what you WILL" said |.
i II have nothing to conceal since near
ing Miss Cumberland's explanation OF
her presence at the Whispering Pines. y
The question am going TO ask" he
continued presently. lis one which you
may consider objectionable. Let me
first express an opinion. You have not
told all that you know or that even
lng's doings."
This called for no reply and | made
none.
IL can understand your reticence II
your knowledge included the fact OF
Miss Cumberland's heroic act and her
sisters manner OF death at the club
house."
But it did not" asserted. with de-
iberate emphasis. IL knew nothing OF
either. My arrival happened later.
Miss Cumberland's testimony gave me
my first enlightenment on these points
But did know that the two sisters
were there together. for had glimpse
OF the younger as she was leaving the
house"
"You had. And are willing to state
II nowT
"Assuredly. But any testimony Of
that kind is for the defense. and your
interests are all with the prosecution
Mr.. Moffat is the man who should tall
| a.