The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-21
(Continued.)

response and retired; but Ronald felt too restless. too anxious, for bed and he lit 6 pipe and went on to the yer andah, from which he presently stroll ed to the garden, and he stood there for a minute or two, torturing him regarding Cara The silence and the darkness were intense: but he was conscious. even in his preoccupation, of a peculiar stir in the atmosphere, that which usually visited the island. When his pipe was out, he went In md to bed, but he did not sleep for hours; and he lay awake blaming himself for not going straight to Ravens house and ascertainins whether Cara was there.
 At last he fell into an uneasy sleep, in which he dreamed that Lemuel Raven and he were fighting for Cara, who was tied to their meeting-tree. He awoke with a start and heard some one hammering on the outer door of the chalet and calling his name. It was vane's voice. It was not yet dawn, and was still pitch dark Ronald sprang out of bed and hurried to the outer door, almost run ming into Smithers, who ran to the door and flung 1t open, for he, too. recognised vane's voice.
 l. .in face pale. his manner agitated.
 "Hullo, vane," said Ronald What Is it2 Why have you come back?"
 Without a word. vane took from Smithers the lamp which he had lit, walked past them into the sitting room, and. when Ronald had follow ed him closed and locked the door.
 "Is all right" he asked hoarsely, and with a nervous twitching of his lips The precipitation was standing on his brow in great drops.
 "Yss, it's all right" said Ronald. What eils you. man? You look as if you had seen a ghost"
 vane dropped into chair and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
 That's what I feel like," he said. T don't know whats got hold of me. T don't generally act like a neurottc idiot I've been uneasy every minute turing the cruise. I've been haunted % by a dread that something would happen, something go wrong. I had %o11 T ho fnf You are sure everything is right?"
 Quite sure" said Ronald. He poured out c stiff drink, and almost thrust it into vane's hand, which shook as he took 1t and drank it off at a draught You're wet. The rain has started since turned in. You must turn in yourself, Vane; your nerves are all wrong. Get outside another drink and go to bed"
 vane nodded, sat staring at the floor moodily for c little while, then, with a nod, went off to his room; but in a minute or two he was back, winter than before, and with his lips sternly set
 It's no use; can't resi-" he said almost nercely. Cali your man: we'll take some tools and go down there at once. Something's vague rear-is driving me mad"
 "Righti" said Ronald, for he saw it was useless to argue with him.
 He called Smithers; they got a couple of picks and a spade. and, with the hurricane lantern partially screen ed, they left the chalet and pene- trated into the intense darkness. Not a word was spoken. Smithers trotted beside them with . pick over his shoulder, as If there were nothing unusual or extraordinary in their proceedings Vane walked hurriedly nd once he would have stumbled if Ronald had not caught him.
 For Gods sake, be calm, Vane!' he said. in low voice. 'I was over the ground only a few hours ago; nothing car have happened
 vane made no reply, and, moving as quickly as they could, they ap- preached the spot indicated by the papers. Suddenly vane stopped.
 I'm a fool" he said, in a hoarse whisper" a weak, nervous fool We'll so back, wait till tomorrow, ge' Shanks@'
 NO, no!' said Ronald firmly "wen go on and have a look round at any rate, or you won't be able tc rest"
 Vane began to pace carefully as they came in line with the tree and the point of the cliff. Suddenly he stopped. snatched the lantern from Ronald's hand, waved it aloft, ther uttered a cry-a cry of rage, of de spair.
 Ronald sprang forward, Smithers by his side, and Ronald echoed Vane'i wild cry. For there, where a few hours ago had been plain. unbroke, ground, were great holes and recentl, thrown-up mounds. Vane flung him self forward, and, on his knees be side the holes, uttered a groan, tfle1 rose, with his hands clenched at hi: sides, stareed vacantly before him Ronald. kneeling, saw two rust-eateT 1vin ot hn hnttnr,1 n