Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-03-05

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to grow up out Of fine park. There
was a great iron fence lnclosing the
grounds. and the lights on top Of the
gates set the dull red trunks Of the
pines aglowing. There were no
lights shining In the windows Of the
pretty lodge Still. the pedestrians'
gate was ajar He passed In. fully ex.
pecting to be greeted by the growl Of
a dog Instead he heard mysterious
footsteps on the gravel BE listened
Some one was running.
"Hello, there!' he called
No answer The sound ceased The
runner had evidently taken to the 81.
lent going of the turf. Fitzgerald
came to stand Should he 60 on or
return to the hotelI Whoever was
running had no right here Fitzgerald
rarely carried arms. at least In civiliz-
ed countries A stout cane was the
best weapon for general purposes
he swung this lightly.
II am going on. should like to
gee the library"
He was not overfond Of unknown
dangers in the night, but he possessed
a keen ear and sharp pair Of eyes,
being a good hunter. A poacher, pos.
sibly. At any rate. he determined to
60 forward and ring the bell.
Both the park and the house were
old Some OF those we'll trimmed
pines had scored easily hundred and
fifty years. and the oak standing be-
fore the house and dividing the view
into halves was older still. No iron
deer or marble lion marred the lawn
which he was now traversing A sign
Of good taste Gardeners had been
at work here. men who knew their
business thoroughly. He breathed the
odor of trampled pine needles mingled
with the harsher essence Of the sea
It was tonic
In summer the place would be beau.
tiful. The house itself was built on
severe and simple lines It was quite
apparent that in no time Of Its history
had 1t been left to run down. The
hall and lower left wing were lighted.
but the inner blinds and curtains were
drawn. He did not waste any time
It was exactly 8 O'Clock when he
stepped up to the door and pulled
the ancient wire bell. At once he
saw signs Of life The broad door
opened. and nm English butler. hav.
ing scrutinized his fuce. silently mo-
toned him to be seated. The young
man in search Of an adventure select.
ed the far end Of the hall seat and
dandled his hat An English butler
was a good beginning. Perhaps three
minutes passed. then the door to the
library opened and a young woman
came out Fitzgerald stood up. Yes
1t was she.
$50 you have conner There was
welcome neither in her tone nor face,
nor was there the suggestion OF any
other sentiment
"Yes am not sure that ! gave
you my name. Miss Killigrew." he
was secretly confused over this enig-
matcal reception.
She nodded. She had been certain
tbat did he come at all. he would
come in the knowledge Of who she
was
"I am John Fitzgerald" he said
She thought for a space. Are you
the Mr.. Fitzgerald who wrote the long
article recently on the piracy IN the
Chinese seasY
YES" full Of wonder.
Interest began to stir her face. III
turns out, then, rather better than
expected. | can see that you are puz'
xled. I picked you out Of many yes
terday on impulse because you had the
sang froid necessary to carry out your
lest to the end"
u am glad that am not here under
false colors. What did yesterday
was, as you say. jest But, on the
other hand. are you not playing me
one in kind? have much curiosity.
"I shall proceed to allay 1t some
what. This will be no jest Did you
come armed?"
"Oh. indeed, nor smiling.
She rather liked that Il was won
dering II you did not believe this to be
some silly intrigue"
II gave thought to but two things
that you were jesing or that you
were in need of a gentleman as well
as a man Of courage. Tell me. what
is the danger and why do you ask me
II am armed?" 1t occurred to him
that her own charm and beauty might
be the greatest danger he could posi-
bly face. More and more grew the
certainty that he had seen her some
where in the past.
"Ah. If l only knew what the dan
ger was! But that 1t exists l am posi-
tive. Within the past two weeks on
odd nights there have been strange
noises here and there about the house.
especially in the chimney. My father
being slightly deaf. believes that these
sounds are wholly imaginative on my
part. This is the first spring In years
wa have resided here. 1t Is really our
summer home am not more than
normally timorous. Some one we 90
not know enters the house at Will
How or why l can't unravel. Moth
ing has ever disappeared, either mon
ov Jewels or silver, though ! have
laid many traps. There Is the huge
fireplace in the library, and my room
is above. have heard tapping like
some one hammering gently on stone.
I have examined the bricks and SO
has nv father, but neither Of US has
discovered anything. Three days ago
I placed aour thinly on the dagstone
before the fireplace. There were foot
prints In the mornlhg-of rubber
shoes. When called In my father
the maid had unfortunately cleaned
the stone without observing anything
SO my father still holds that am
subject to dreams. His secretary,
whom he had for three years. has ief'
him. The buffers and servants quar-
ters are in the rear of the other wing
They have never been disturbed
II am not a detective. Miss XIII
crew." he remarked as she paused.
"No, but you seem to be a man OF In
yention and good spirit Will you help
met"
"In whatever way can" his opin.
,or at tbot moment perhaps agreed