The Springfield herald., 1912-07-12

ASSSiNSo tuo lOllOWlAb lelteT.
Dear Sir: have been asked to call
on you by mutual friend, General
CORVALLIS, who accompanied my step
daughter and myself on board the Os-
prey to New York. hope to call to
see you or send a representative
about eleven o'clock today. The gen
eral thinks that you can give me ad-
vice on a matter of importance. am
a Spanish lady. My home Is in Brazil.
and know nothing of New York or its
customs. wish to take house near
New York and to settle down. This
house must be Isolated, and In the
midst of large grounds. and must have
extensive cellars or Easements, as my
wish Is to furnish laboratory in or
der to carry on scieL tific research.
The general said that as you were a
scientist yourself you would under
stand Just what l wanted and be will
ing to advise me.
Yours sincerely,
STELLA SCAIFFE."
The letter was dated from the Man
ton hotel. and l smiled as read 1t. 1t
was 80 like old General CORVALLIS to
AAA4ssoAAAS
terested In scientific pursuits that
should at once become interested In
her to the degree Of adopting the role
Of a real estate agent and spend valu-
able time chasing around in the en-
deavor to find house which would
suit her. But 1t SO happened that a
cousin Of mine, who was extremely Ill
and under my care in a hospital. was
hard pressed for money and wanted to
rent an old-fashioned and somewhat
gruesome mansion he owned which
was situated in lonely part Of the
Bronx. 1t occurred to me that this
house might suit the generals ac-
quaintance and that I could do both
her and my cousin good turn at the
same time.
At eleven o'clock my servant hand
ed me a card bearing the name. Miss
Muriel Scaiffe." and few moments
later a slight. fair-haired English girl
entered the room. She informed me
that she was Mrs. ScaifIe's step-daugh-
ter and that she had come to see me
in reference to the house. which they
were desirous OF renting within a
week.
!. The girl was pretty. and her smile
was wistful and sweet. although with
a tinge of melancholy in 1t. On the
whole, she impressed me favorably.
and informed her that. although
such matters were hardly in my line.
1t SO CHANGED that there was a house
belonging to relative of mine.
called The Rosary. and situated in a
somewhat isolated spot in the Bronx,
which imagined would suit her step
mother. I also told her that II she
Wished would meet her there at
three O'Clock on the following day,
when she could view the interior OF
the mansion for herself. To this she
agreed. and at the appointed hour
presented myself at the gates of The
Rosary. A carriage was waiting. and
as I approached a tall lady with dark
eyes stepped out Of 1t. saw at
glance that the young lady had not
accompanied her. ard when she in
troduced herself as Mrs. Seattle we
proceeded to view the house.
The Rosary had been unlet and neg
lected for a considerable time. and the
grounds had desolate and gloomy ap-
pearance But the Spanish lady ap-
peared well pleased with the Interior
as we'll as the exterior OF the place.
and particularly with the numerous
cellars, one of which she pronounced
exactly fitted for a laboratory
My brother, Senor Merello. joins us
here next week." she said He and
are scientists. DR.. Halifax, and trust
scientists of no mean order. We have
come here for the purpose of conduct
ing experiments. and this house Is the
one of all others for u.s."
Everything went of without hitch.
The Rosary passed into the hands OF
Mrs. Seattle and those of her brother.
Senior Merello, tall, dark. handsome
man. A week or two passed by. when
one afternoon I was astonished to re-
ceiye visit from Muriel Seattle.
81 have come to see you on matter
of vital Importance, DR.. Halifax. she
said. Il cannot linger. for even now
I fear | am followed. You are a
bosom friend of Oscar Digby, the fa-
nous discoverer and traveller. for he
told me So 1t was on that account
persuaded mOtHeT 10 ColHe " you
about the house."
Certainly know Digby." respond
ed Indeed, l may lay claim to being
his greatest friend. Where Is he. and
what is he doing?"
He is on his way to New York.
she replied. Even now he may have
landed. He brings great news. and
the moment he sets foot in this city
he is in danger. He Is your friend.
and it is your duty to save him."
But what am to save him from.
Miss Seattle? You are speaking wild
ly. Don't make such ambiguous state
ments. pray. You must be more e1-
plicit."
She trembled and dropped into a
chair.
"I am not brave enough to explain
more fully" she said. II can only re-
neat that he is in danger. Tell him
to have nothing to do with us. II he
mentions our names. pretend that you
know nothing about us. have grave
reasons for what say. When we took
The Rosary 1 did not know that mat
tiers were SO awful: indeed. was
aware then that Mr.. Digby was re-
turning to New York. But last night