The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-09-28

was spending Christmas. He would
be pleased. he told me: and then. as
he stopped 10 light spill in the
Goals
You stay with Baron Steen. ! sup
poser" he asked.
Yes"
And whyr'
"why7" echoed in some sur
prise.
you have relatives or other
friendsf"
MY nearest relative is sour old
uncle In Bradford, who calls me hard
names for using the gifts Providence
gave me instead OF adding up figures
in a smoky office. AS for friends
well, am fairly rich man, Inspec-
tor, and. as such, have many friends
What is there against Baron Steen?"
"Oh. nothing" he said. pufiing at
his pipe, so that he spoke as from
cloud, mistily.
Il know that be has played bold
game on the stock exchange" I con
tinued, land there may be few out
witted financiers growing at his
heels. But II would be hard 10 find
more thoughtful host. Yes. am go
ing to Cloudsham tomorrow"
We shook hands warmly on part
ing, and as | descended the stairs
he leant over the rail. smiling down
upon me.
Remember your dinner engage
ment," | called up to him. II shall
see you after the New Year"
Yes. II not before" he said; and
seemed to catch the faint echo OF
laugh as | turned the corner.
II was on the afternoon OF Decem-
"a that | stepped from the train at
the little station of Cloudsham. Fresh
snow had fallen, and the wind came
bitterly over the frozen levels OF the
fen country. A distant clock was
striking four as the carriage passed
tugged up a rising slope OF park land
dotted with ragged oaks and. storm
bowed spinnies. which showed as
black stains upon It's snow-clad UNI
dulations AT the summit the road
bent sharply, and | saw below me
the old manor OF Cloudsham, beyond
which--a somber plain. losing itself
in the evening mists that swathed
the horizon-str stretched the restless
waters OF the North sea.
The house lay in a broad depres-
sion, in shape as the hollow OF
hand save only on the seaward side.
where the line of cliff bit into It like
the grip OF giants teeth The gray
front looked up, across slope OF
grass land. 10 a semi-circle OF forest
that swept away in dark shadings OF
fir and oak. From the long oblong
OF the main buildings were thrust
back two wings, hanked on the nearer
side by chapel.
From the back OF the house 10 the
edge OF the sea cliffs, distance OF
some quarter OF a mile. ran an ir-
regular avenue OF frs with clipped
yew walks and laurel-edged flower
gardens on either hand.
A dozen men sweeping the paths
and telegraph boy on pony mount
ing the hill towards me showed as
black pigmies against the drifts OF
snow
My bachelor host was absent when
! was ushered into the great central
hall where the house-party were met
together for their tea am by ma
ture shy OF strangers, taken in large
doses. and It was with relief that
recognized Jack Talman, the grizzled
cynio OF an Academlcian. sitting I'm
corner seat well out of reach OF
draughts and female conversation.
Hello, Phillips" he welcomed me.
And what financial gale brings you
here7"
What do you mean2"
Don't put on frills with me. I've
come TO paint old Stems picture. n
he will give me the fifteen hundred
that I'm asking for IL Lord Tommy
Retford yonder Is here to unload
some Of his old furniture-you know
Tommy's rooms in Piccadilly. don't
you? Furnished by dealer In Bond |
street. and 20 per cent. commission 10
Tommy on everything he can sell out
OF them. That's Mrs. Talbot Slingsly |
talking TO him Pretty woman, got I
into trouble in New York. was cut by I
all America, and captured Slingsly I
and London society at one blow
Scandal never does cross The Atlantic |
somehow--all the dirty linen gets
washed in the herring-pond. That's \
old Lord Blame by the fire; very re-
spectacle. and lends money on the |
sly Private gentleman will make I
advances on note OF hand-you know.
Fine woman, Mrs Billy Blades--that's
she on the sofa She's been making /
desperate love 10 Steon but no go. 4
The gay old dogs too clever for her. /
That long chaps her husband Watch |
him prowling round. looking to see n /
he can pouch silver ashtray or
| expect by Jove, Phil. /
lips. but it's as good as n play. amt
a 80