The pioneer express., 1912-12-13

ana the tragedy which followed 1t, he
was. OF course, informed; as he had
been Of the incident in the wood, in.
Guiding the finding of the bullet
pierced piece of canvas. Every
thing, save only that Evelyn was the
discoverer Of the portrait remnant
which thought best under the cir
cumstances to keep secret-was told
to him in detail, and with all the cir
cumstantiality necessary to an intel
ligent discussion of even the minutest
point.
My description of Murphy ELECTED
from him recollection. He remem-
bered having seen the man once. 1t
was on the Fourth Of July. Evelyn
and Mrs. Lancaster, Cameron's house
keeper, had accompanied Cameron to
what is called "The Port of Missing
Men," resort for motorists, on the
summit Of Titicus mountain. They
had lunched there and were returning
by route which took them over a
succession Of execrable roads, but
through some Of the most glorious
scenery in the whole state of Con-
necticut. For a while they had been
following stream, willow-girt, that
went babbling down over a rocky bed
which at intervals broke the waters
into a series Of falls and cascades. At
the foot Of one of these they had
stopped the car and alighted for a
better view. and so had come upon
the unexpected.
Seated upon great bowlder. his
easel planted between the stones of
the streams shadows, was a red
headed, red-bearded Colossus, in a
soi]ed suit Of khaki and monstrous
straw hat such as is worn by harvest
ing farmers. Cameron told me that
all three Of them made bold to peep
over the painters shoulder at his
work. and then, though it was Of the
most mediocre quality, to shower him
with Mandatory and congratulatory
phrases.
Il can fancy how he thanked you,"
I broke in. smiling. Il suppose he
said something very rude"
HE said nothing at all. He simply
stopped painting. and turning, fixed
his eyes upon me. 1t was as if he
saw no other one of US. He seemed
to be making a careful appraisement
Of my every feature. After a mo-
ment. 1t grew embarrassing, and
though I did not resent it-feeling
rather that we, ourselves, had been
in the wrong-I very speedily with
drew. 70 my surprise he rose from
his stone seat; and. palette and
brush in hand, followed us up the
little ACTIVITY to the road, watching
car. and wheeled away"
did you gather from his inspection
that he recognized you, or thought he
recognized you?" I asked.
Il gathered only that he meant to
be insufferably rude." was Cameron's
answer.
And you have never seen him
since?"
Never"
"He has evidently seen you. He
spoke of the Russian wolf hounds
that 60 about with you"
Cameron made no response.
WE'LL" I added, in a tone meant to
be reassuring, Il think we need have
little fear Of continuance of this
singular method Of annoyance
Though We can't trace 1t directly to
and his unfortunate Mongoli-
an. thoroughly believe that one or
the other was responsible. With the
Chinaman dead and Murphy in Jail.
the persecution will cease. The threat
contained in the second letter will
never be executed. See IL I'm not
right"
My hope Of putting Cameron at
ease. however. was not rewarded. He
continued to exhibit signs of an al
most constant apprehension. There
was. indeed, sympathy.stirring|
pathcs about the nervous disquiet of
his man. usually so impenetrably
And at moments. in
spite Of me. suspicion gripped and
leld that he had not been entirely
rank: that somewhere in his past
here was something unrevealed
which might serve as a clue. II not |
IN explanation, to the present. But
hese doubts Of him were always
ransitory. .,5. .iss
The twenty-first of September fell |
hat year on Monday. My Office de.
handed my presence, but l arranged |
lffairs as well as possible by tele-
,hone and devoted the entire day to /
cameron. When I told him / meant |
o do this he protested, pretending
hat he was quite without forebodinR:
While the unconscious tapping OF his
oot on the rug. even as he spoke. be.
led his words.
We spent the better part OF the day
,olfng over the Apawamis links at /
eye. lunching at the club house be-
ween rounds. for asa specific TOR
erveS have ever found that game
( rare benefit. n the present ia.
tance II more than fulfilled my ex.
ectations. Cameron, apparently at
saat, forgot everything save his do
Ire 10 out-drive. olt-approach. and
ut;put me-. And when IL was over, /
nd with sharpensd appetites we
rove back to Cragholt for dinner, he
ppeared stimulated byssa new-eound
Qurage. Y
Il