The Springfield herald., 1912-06-07

and he hasn't got yellow hair-ha. ha,
he hasn't got any at all"
"Who is he?" asked with growing
curiosity.
why, old Jabez Ladd. the miser,
| out at Yore Park; he takes that stun
for his heart, sir. Wonderful weak
heart he has, too: but he hasn't got
yellow hair-no, / may say with con-
viction that he has no hair at all"
I had learnt all | needed. for the
mere mention of the name Jabez Ladd
was sufficient for me. At the mans
words whole freshet of ideas seemed
to rush to my mind The yellow-haired
man had got his emeralds in box
which must have come from Ladd's
house. since he alone in the neighbor-
hood took tabloids OF nitro-glycerine;
another, the mans very shabiness and
obvious shufiing pointed very strongly
to the conclusion that he should be
watched.
OF these things was / sure as met
Barisbroke, and turned them over in
my mind often during the moderate
sport OF the forenoon. l resolved at
least to see the old man; and when
had dined at ridiculously early
hour with Barisbroke. l crossed the
river by the white bridge, and in
thirty minutes was at the gate Of
| Yore Hall.
Irang the great bell thrice. and birds
fled from the caves at the clatter, and
the rabbits that had sported by the
thicket disappeared in the warren.
Some minutes after the third ring,
and when was preparing to drive of
and leave Jabez Ladd to his own af-
fairs, the stable door opened, and girl
| came out, dressed, 1t seemed to me.
curiously in a smart white frock: but
with untidy hair, though much of 1t;
and an exceedingly pretty face. which
had been the prettier for little scour-
ing. The creature had great dark eyes
| like a grisette of Bordeaux; and when
she saw me, stood swaying upon her
feet, and laughing as she bit at her
apron-strings, as though my advent
was an exceedingly humorous thing.
Then she said,-
"Is 1t Mr.. Ladd you're wanting?"
1 told her that 1t was.
You'll not be a county MANI" she
asked.
I'm from London" said I. "and my
name is Bernard Sutton. Tell Mr.. Ladd
that Ill not keep him five minutes"
| There's no need" said she, simper-
ing again; "he's been a-bed since the
milk"
ri
"Yes," said she. Its over late for
company: but If yell write something
Ill run up with it: the housekeeper's
away sick"
She seemed to think that all this
was a good joke. and wondered,
doubt not, that did not simper at her
again. was on the very point of
whipping up the nag, and leaving such
curious household. when one of the
landing windows went up with a
creak, and Ladd himself, with muf-
fer round his throat, was visible.
what dye want in my grounds?"
he roared. Here. you hussy, what
are We chattering there for?-thought
was asleep did ye-ha!"
Good evening, Mr.. Ladd," said I
quietly: I'm sorry, but l appear to
have disturbed you. I've word for
your ear If you'll come down"
"Hullo," cried he. in his cracked
and piercing voice; why it's you. is
it? egad, l thought you were the
butcher! What's your business?-I'm
biding in bed, as you can see."
81 can't shout" said l, "and my
business is private"
Wont it waltz" he snarled. "You
haven't come to sell me anything?"
Il don't sell stuff in the street." said
l. come down and I'll talk to you.
But If you don't want to hear-well,
go to bed"
His curiosity got the better Of him
at this point, and he snapped out the
words. I'm coming down." and then
disappeared from the window But
he had no intention Of opening
the front door, as 1 found pres
emily when of sudden he ap-
| peared at easement upon the
ground floor and resumed the CONVEX
| sation.
You're not asking after my health"
said he, but I'll let you know that I'm
eat up Will COiu Sha yo nave ooAC
with it straight off?"
"Yes," said l, leaning over from the
dog-cart to spare my voice. do you
know a tall man with yellow hair
who's got two emeralds to sell?"
At these words his face whitened
in the sunlight, and he opened his
great mouth to speak, but no sound
came. Then quickly he drew small
box from his pocket. such as 1 had
seen in the hands of the velvet-coated
man. and took tabloid from 1t.
I'll be about letting you in." said
he, as he went to shut down the case
ment
But 1 said. II think not. there's a
drive of five miles to Whitchurch be-
fore me. and this horse trips"
For the love of Cod cried he, sud
denly putting off all self-restraint,
don't go till I've heard you-man.
my life may depend upon it,"
"How's that?" said I.
I'm going to tell you." said he;
land if yen stay we'll crack bottle
of port together"
He whetted my curiosity now, and
| presently l heard him nagging at the