The Springfield herald., 1913-06-27
theory that Chatelard had

straight for New York"
mot a bit of it. Aleck and l let
you all believe that. for the sake of
the ladies'. But the evidence is all the
other way. We would surely have
caught him II he had been on any of
the New York trains. believe he's
about here and means mischief yet"
'"If he's about here. there's no doubt
about the mischief"
I'm going down tonight to bunk on
the SEQ Gull. Aleck let the men on,
to go to b. sAflor's dance over on one
of the islands. They'll probably be at
1t all night. &C, I'm going back" -
why not let me, co. I'm fine as a
fiddle. You've had your, full share Of
nasty detective work"
mot at all. I'm booked to see this
thing through" ~ :,
"An right" laughed Jimsy. Bot II
you change your mind. let me know"
Arriving at the house, the men found
1t deserted. Windows were open and
doors unlatched. but no one, not even
Danny, responded to Jim's call. Cham
berlain started for the Hillside in the
car. and Jim wandered about lone
somely, wondering where everybody
was. With Jim, as In most cases,
everybody meant one person; and
presently sallie, appearing slowly
from the upper regions. gave him his
clue. He started nimbly for the pine
wood.
The wagon road stretched alluring.
ly into the sun-hecked shade of the
grove. A hush like that of primeval
day threw its uncanny influence over
the world. Jim felt something tugging
at his spirit that was unfamiliar. dis
quieting. He began to whistle Just
for company. and in a moment, as II
at signal call. Danny came along the
path. sedately trotting to meet him.
'Hullo, old pardner! So this is
where you are"
Danny said yes. and led Jim into
the clearing and up to a pine stump.
| where everybody sat, quite alone, chin
propped on hand. No singing, no book.
and-or did Jimmy imagine it?-a
spirit decidedly quenched. Her eye
lids were red and her face was pale.
so. dear lady, have found you.
But l was listening for the song"
There is no song today" Agatha's
manner resembled an Arctic breeze.
May one ask why?"
"One can not always be singing"
"No7 Why not? could-lf
could"
Agatha was obliged to relax trife
at Jimmy's foolishness. but only to
reveal, more and more distinctly. a
wretchedness of spirit that was quite
bafling. It was not feminine wretch
edness waiting for masculine COM
forter. either, as James observed with
regret: 1t was a stoical spirit. braced
to meet a blow-or to deal one.
Jimmy was not used to being
snubbed. and instinctively prepared
for vigorous protest. He began with
little preliminary diplomacy.
You haven't inquired what I'm 60
ing to do with the remainder OF my
holiday" he remarked.
81 supposed you would return soon
to Lynn. Shall we walk back to the
house?"
The unkind words were spoken in a
rare-1weet voice, courteously enough.
Jim looked at the speaker a moment.
then emphatically said mol"
tits quite time was returning"
Have you anything there to do
that is more important than listening
to me for fifteen minutes?"
Agatha did not pretend not to un-
derstand him. She turned toward him
with unflinching eyes.
Truth to say, yes. Mr.. Hambleton.
have. l don't wish to listen to
anything"
"Oh-if you feel like that! Your
Mr.. Hambleton' is enough to strike
me dumb
Believe me. it is the best way"
Again, may one ask why?"
You are going back to your own
people, to your own work. And to
mine"
But that's the very point. My idea
was TOTO combine them"
81 guessed It."
Jimmy smiled his ingenious smile
as he suavely asked: And don't you
-er-like the idea?"
Agatha turned her wretched white
face toward him. Into 1t there had
come a grim determination that left
Jimmy quite Oul AL Tue colo.
II have no choice In liking or dis.
liking it," she said quite evenly. but
there are plenty of reasons why I
can't think of it. And you shouldn't
think of 1t any more. I assure you,
you are making mistake"
She got up as If ready to walk
away, her face averted.
"Agatha!"
At the name she turned to Jim. as
much as to say she would be quite
reasonable If he would be. But her
face suddenly flushed gloriously.
Agatha, dear, hear me. / did not
intend to tell you all my secret to-
day; not until l should be on neutral
ground. SO to speak. But can't let
you leave me this way"
You will have to. ! am going back
to the house.
Up to this point, James had merely
been playing tag, as 1t were. The
game wasn't really on. A little skir-
mishing on either side was in order.
But Agatha's last words were the call
to action They reused the ghost of
some old Hambleton ancestor who
A1oel<. &c G.