Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1912-09-11

SIIlOlR NE, ltlIl ltIluB LllC JOJ vi III 3
found him, and quickening within me
a spirit of angry retaliation against
his enemies For the man now at my
side was far different from that man
who had sat with me on the after deck
of the Sibylla, only four weeks ago. He
was, indeed, it seemed to me little
more than the husk of the Cameron |
had known In facial conformation the
change was not so marked, though his
expression was pathetically at vari.
ance with anything | had ever before
seen him wear. The lines of his face
were drawn, as with pain, and his eyes
were dull to vacancy. He lolled,
sleazily, in a crumpled heap in his cor
ner, like a spineless manikin; and
though piled him eagerly with a food
of questions, he might have been deaf
mute for all the answers he accorded
me- Once | thought he shook his
head in negation, but l was later
forced to conclude that this was invol-
untary, being caused by the roll of the
cab as one of its wheels encountered a
depression in the roadway.
Yet in spite of his sorriness of pres
ence and demcanor-in spite too of the
tormenting mystery of his return,
which was scarcely less bati1ing than
the mystery of his departure-it was
at least relief to know that he was
alive and out of the power of those
that were bent upon his harm. Good
nursing, coupled with skilful medical
attention, had just worked wonders
for me. and | was confident that 1t
would do the same for him; and then
we should have facts and not theories
to aid US in our quest for the culprits,
and, eventually, in the administration
of justice to the guilty
| had given the cabman the number
of the Cameron house and admonished
MIN to make all possible speed so,
with the long lash of the whip snap
ping sharply at brief intervals and the
faded horse, thus urged, bounding at a
clumsy, numbering gallop, We rolled
noisily northward. Having given over
the effort to obtain from my fellow
passenger even gestured answer to
my most pertinent inquiries, | turned
my mind to what lay before us. The
Cameron establishment would doubt
less be fast locked in slumber as well
as otherwise, but l made small ques.
ton of my ability to rouse some of the
servants. My hope, however, was not
to awaken Evelyn. 1t could mean only
a nights rest lost for her, for she
could gain nothing by seeing her uncle
at this hour, considering his condition.
l was still busy planning when a
mighty hand on the lines brought our
horse to his launches, and ourselves
nearly out through the suddenly part
ed apron; and the Cameron residence
doomed massive and dark en- our right,
AS l stepped to the sidewalk the
driver descended, too, but l motioned
him back.
Never mind, thank you," I said.
'I'll get some one from inside to help
carry him." And in a moment my
thumb was on the push-button and
family there came back to me through
heavy double doors the far-off echo of
the bell, Earring against the silence Of
the great house.
The promptness with which chains
fell and bolts were drawn surprised
me- And yet, ! suppose, it was mere
ly an evidence of the perfect man
agement of an establishment wherein
every contingency is provided against.
A footman, as irreproachably liveried
and groomed as though the time were
midday instead of after two O'Clock in
the morning, greeted me with becom.
ing imperturbalility. I recognized him
as one of the men from Cragholt, and
called him by name.
Stephen" l said, with an effort to
disguise the excitement with which
my every pulse was throbbing, your
master is outside in cab. He is very
weak and will need assistance. Get
another man to aid me. and then
awaken Mr.. Checkabeedy and Louis
And make haste. No, can't come in;
I'll wait outside" He turned away in
obedience to my directions, but l
checked lin. And, Stephen" /
charged, mo word to any one else, as
you value your position; especially no
word to Miss Grayson."
| maryelcd at the mans preserved
unemotion. Ills Very good, SIR" was
uttered with all the stolidity which
marks response to the commonplace;
and yet l knew that he was fully con-
scious of the eventfulness of this late
and unlooked-for homecoming. And
the footman who joined me few min,
utes later was not less well-trained.
Together he and | lifted Cameron
from the hanson and carried him up
the broad flight of granite steps, be-
tween the massive guarding lions, and
placed him in great chair in the
hall, before the wide, sculptured fire
place And though this would probably
prove the most exciting topic of the
servants hall for weeks to come, he
gave not the smallest sign that he was
taking part in other than the usual.
Checkabeedy, the butler, however,
though no less perfect a seryitor, was
more privileged; and Louis, volatile
as the most characteristic of his coun,
trymen, collapsed utterly, without eff,