Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-04-29

you fefUBe 70 1nfofm mo ~ 10 the
truth Of this Atari" I faitered ct last,
a. be lifted his burden on one arm
Hs turned stoiid face my way.
II would Seem so, Sir. / have to
thank you for a most delightful eve
ming, sir. Your conversation has been
both Instructive and entertaining
However, sir, the hour is now late,
and / should advise your retiring"
He bowed solemnly, backing toward
the door. and I sprang to my feet
ov.rtaken by a sudden determination
to make a break for freedom. There
was q slight glitter in Peters gray
eyes, as he raped sharply with his
heel on the door.
Il hardly think that would be advis-
able. sir" he warned softly. THE man
outside is armed, and in the excite
ment might hurt you"
There was a click of the lock, and
the heavy door swung open. | stood
~motionless, tempted to spring, yet not
daring the venture. Peter backed
majestically out, and l caught a
glimpse of the graybeard, and the
black outline of a pistol. Then the
door closed, leaving me alone. The
little scrap of candle left sputtered
feebly, and, after walking across the
floor a half-dozen times, striving to
gain control Of my temper, | blew 1t
out, and crawled into the bunk. There
was nothing l could do, but walt for
morning: not a sound reached me
from without, and, before | realized
the possibility, l was fast asleep.
/ must have slept long and eoundly.
for when | finally awoke a CLEAN OF
sun lay the full length of the room,
and food was upon the table. Some
one-Peter, no doubt-had entered
and departed without arouslng me.
Sleep had left me In a pleasanter
frame of mind, and / ate heartily,
wondering vaguely what the day would
disclose. determined n thing, that
when Peter returned for the dishes, |
would back him into a corner and
choke at least a portion of the truth
out of his unwilling throat. l had
hardly reached this decision when the
door opened, and he stood there gaz-
Ing at me with sphinx-like stupidity.
l arose to my feet, gripping the back
Of a chair, but the utter vacancy in
that face seemed to numb action.
There was no positive expression, no
dim glimmer Of interest in his fea-
lures; the shining bald head alone
Oavn him q prnfaSn,1o onnearanNp ra-
straining me from violence. | could
as easily have warred with a baby.
Il trust, sir, you slept well" he said
soothingly, "and that the service is
satisfactory"
l choked back my Indignation, the
me TO feel like a brute.
Nothing could be added to my hap
piness," | answered, unless 1t might
be q little information which you seem
disinclined to furnish"
He waved one hand, as though
brushing calmly aside some imagined
insect.
"Disinclined? Oh, no. sir; there Is
nothing to conceal, sir, | assure you"
Then, for Gods sake, let 1t out Of
your system. mani" l burst forth i'm
patiently. Whom am I a prisoner to?
What am I held for? What sort Of
treatment is this l am receiving?"
Peter bowed, without the tremor Of
an eyelash.
DO not mention 1t, sir" he muir
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"
I could only stare at the fellow with
open mouth, so dumbfounded as to be
s~peechless. OF all the idiots I had
ever met he was the worst, or else
his acting was magnificent. To save
me ! 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? If not, l am
requested to conduct you TO the Ii.
brary. 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. I obeyed
the calm movement of that hand as
though 1t had been a military order,
but, as l stepped into the twilight of
the outer basement, l suddenly per-
'ceived the presence there Of the at.
tendant graybeard. He moved In adj
vance, and l followed, aware that
Peter was closely at my heels. A
glance told me here was a library, not
only in name, but In fact, q large
square room, well lighted, the furni,
ture mahogany, shining like glass,
three Of the walls lined with books,
mostly in sombre bindings. A green.