Evening star., 1912-11-10
CHAPTER XIX.
The Missing Page.

Robert Baxter was the first to hear the
good news, and, bein a young man of
few words. he lighted a candle and made
straight for the wine cellar. In a few
moments he returned empty handed.
Its mighty funny" he said to Lionel.
There was whole case last week-all
but one quart, and it's disappeared, case
and all, And what's more. that SO
brandy is gone, too. I'm certain there
were at least half dozen left. What do
you make of it?"
Lionel tugged at his mustache.
We'll, if you ask me, old chap. / don't
mind telling you l never did like the cut
of Parker's side whiskers.'
"Parker,'' exclaimed Bob "It doesn't
seem possible. You never saw such ref
erences as he brought. There We're two
bishops and a prime minister. It's queer.
though" he added, as he relocked the
cellar door.
AT the supper table, much to the Storm
girls relief. her services were not re-
quired. There were no more secrets to
be learned, and tomorrow she would offer
to call at the club for the golf bag. No.
that would look suspicious well, she
would think out plan, she would man
In great chair at Horatios side sat
little An Petronia who at the curate' s
request had been allowed to join the
happy gathering. Clasped in her hand
was a priceless nectarine (too marvellous
for human food), and her watchful eyes
were fixed on the door. fearful each mo-
ment of the apparition of a beckoning
grandmother and the end of things.
And now every one was eager to hear
the curate's story. all but Martin Luther,
CIV -al f,I;. .,1%. =
was enough for him that his dear friend
was safe and sound What more could
anybody want? In recognition of his
conspicuous services, Martin Luther had
been awarded a special fish, which now
existed only in a beautiful dream as Mar
tin lay fast asleep in the lap of An Pc
tronia.
The curate's story did not take long
to tell. When he walked out of the din
ing room this morning to vanish so
strangely. his only thought was to get
out of doors, and, snatching his hat from
the antlers in the hail. he passed quickly
through the open front door. Then, re-
membering that Martin Luther had not
had any luncheon, he changed his mind
and went straight to the kitchen, enter
ing by the outside door instead of re-
turning to the house, which accounted
for Lionels not seeing him.
As Horatio was about to enter the
kitchen he was startled by the sound of
steps. He stood still with his hand on
the knob and listened Who could be in
the ktchen?- Every one was upstairs in
the dining rOom every one who had any
right In the house.
He opened the door quietly. No one
was there. Again he listened. There
stone passage that led to the wine cellar
and to the we'll room farther on. Ho-
ratio tiptoed across the kitchen and
peered through the archway. There was
a faint yellow flicker in the gloom at the
turn of the passage. The curate Won
the well room. The servants never went
near it. For one thing it had no win
dow and there was something frightening
about the black oblong of the well in
ed Horatio of a picture by Dore in
Dantes Inferno, and, according to
Parker (who claimed to have read it in a
book it was in that very Well that the
pious Lady Isobel had been drowned
Once he had seen the gray lady sitting
hands and weeping and wailing most
orful.' 1t had given him the "willys
for a week.
Keeping close to the wall, the curate
crept cautiously along the passage. The
well room door was almost closed. Fear
full lest it should creak, he opened it
slowly toward him, inch by inch At
this point in the story the curate paused
to relieve his throat with a glass of
water
Weren't you frightened, Daddy
Merle?" squeaked An Petronia. thrilling
with delicious terror.
'Yes. my dear" said Horatio. when
l opened that door and saw where that
light came from l am compelled to ad-
nit that / was frightened
Again the curate paused, this time to
wipe his lips with the napkin. Martin
Luther opened his eyes and yawned
stretching his fore paws straight out in
front of him, the very image of a sleepy
sphinx. Isn't that story finished yet?'
he meWed. then raising himself slowly
to his feet he stepped over the arm of
An Petronias chair and curled up to sleep
in the curate's lap.
We'll. my dear?" queried Harriet, i'm
patiently.
4 say, cried Lionel. What about
The light came from the WELL" replied
the curate
Then he related how, as he stared at
the well. half expecting to see the Gray
Lady rise slowly out OF its depths. there
appeared. instead. a human hand holding
What do you think it was holding?''
he asked, looking at each in turn.
"A dagger, of course" laughed Kate.
"A golden key" came timidly from An
Petronia.
IF it wasn't an umbrella, 1 give it
up said Lionel
60 on. Tell u.s." urged Harriet
Robert Baxter had just achieved per-
feet smoke ring. He watched it soar up
ward and melt away. then questioned,
quietly, "A bottle of champagne"
MY dear Mr.. Baxter. that's exactly
what it was" said the curate.
Lionel slapped his knee vigorously.
Parker, BY Jove! Five to one it was
Parker.'
The curate's eyes blinked with amaze
ment. BLESS my soul! How did you
know that?"
.'Oh, / just put two and two together"
drawled Lionel. "and it made Parker"
Fortunately Parker didn't see me-"
continued Horatio. ''and as he reached
down for another bottle / slipped back
into the passage and behind the door. 1t
was a dreadful moment. You may not
believe it, l suppose l was little un-
strung, but 1 had an uncomfortable de-
sire to laugh. l pressed my hands over
my mouth. but l fear that only made 1t
worse-it was like new wine in an old
bottle-I simply exploded.
"Horatio! You didn't laugho" exclaim-
ed Harriet.
my dear Harriet, it burst through my
fingers You have often complained of
INV laugh, Harriet. but this was much
worse, It must have sounded like that
strange cry of the American natives.
Bob looked up. puzzled. American