The Springfield herald., 1912-11-15
MI,ADY OF DOUBT
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Nothing could be added to my hap
piness." / answered, unless 1t might
be little information which you seem
disinclined to furnish"
He waved one hand. as though
brushing calmly aside some imagined
insect.
"Disinclined7 oh. no. sir; there is
nothing to conceal. sir, I assure you.
Then. for Gods sake, let 1t out OF
your system, mani" burst forth i'm
patiently. Whom am prisoner to I
What am held for? What sort of
treatment is this I am receiving7"
Peter bowed. without the tremor OF
an eyelash.
DO not mention 1t, SIR" he mur-
INJURED smoothly; I'VE are only too
proud to have you as our guest at
Elmhurst. 1t has been very quiet here
now for some weeks, sir, and your
coming was welcome to US ALL"
could only stare at the fellow with
open mouth. so dumbfounded as to be
speechless. OF all the idiots I had
ever met he was the worst, or else
his acting was magnificent. To save
me I was not certain which might be
the correct guess. He continued in
stately solemnity:
II trust there remains nothing more
you desire to learn sir? II not, am
requested to conduct you to the IL
braly. All. thank you. sir-this way,
please"
He stood aside, statue-like. his eyes
looking directly past me, and pointed
with dignity to the open door. / obeyed
the calm movement Of that hand as
though 1t had been a military order
but. as stepped into the twilight OF
the outer basement, I suddenly per
ceived the presence there of the at
tendant graybeard. He moved In ad-
vance, and followed. Aware that
Peter was closely at my heels. A
glance told me here was library, not
only in name. but in fact, large
square room, well lighted, the furni-
ture mahogany. shining like glass.
three Of tho walls lined with books.
mostly in sombre bindings. A green
topped table occupied the center of
the apartment, massive affair, flanked
by leather upholstered reading chair.
while before the front windows were
cushioned Lodges. My rapid glimpse
about ended in Peter standing in dig
nified silence barely within the door.
his hand upon the knob.
Il am authorized. sir" he said im-
pressively. gazing directly across my
shoulder. not a feature expressing
emotion. ito permit you to remain
here on parole"
Parole! What do you meant"
Parole was. believe. the word
used. sir" in calm explanation. 1T is.
as l understand. sir. a military term
signifying pledge"
"Oh. know that. Kindly concede
that possess some small intelligence.
Peter. But to whom is this parole
ITO myself. sir. This may seem
slightly unconventional. sir, but trust
you will repose sufficient confidence in
me not to object. The sole require
ments are that you remain in this
room until sent for"
THAT will not be long7"
II think not, sir"
And who will send for met"
Peters eyes surveyed me. but with
out expression.
II am quite unable to answer that.
SIR"
He was enough to provoke saint.
but l had already butted my head
against that stone wall sufficiently to
learn the uselessness Of any further
attempt. Peter was Peter, and l
crushed back my first impatient excla-
nation to say humbly:
"All right, my man. I'll wait here"
sank back into the upholstered
chair, and for a moment after he had
closed the door l did not move. Then.
scarcely knowing whether to laugh or
swear over the situation, crossed the
room. and gazed out through the win
dow. Far down the winding driveway.
half concealed behind the trees, a
body of British troops was tramping
toward the house.