The weekly times-record., 1913-09-04

dicated by an imperious nod that was
! to precede her into the trunk room. and
I strode before her with my candle
held high.
But the sprtes of mystery were stili
abroad at Hopeneld. The room was
unoccupied save for the trunks. Heze-
kiah had vanished. Instead Of sitting
there to await the coming of her aunt,
she had silently departed without leav-
ing trace. Miss Hollister glanced up
at the trapdoor In the ceiling. and so
did l. 1t was closed. but I did not
doubt that Hezekiah had crawetf
through It and taken herself to the
roof Miss Octavia would probably or
der me at. once to the battlements. but
worse was to come.
"Mr. Ames." she said. Twill you kind
" lift the lid of that largest trunk?"
I had not thought Of this. and shud-
1ered at the possibilities.
She indicated the trunk upon which
Hezekiah had sat and nibbled her
cracker not more than ten minutes be-
fore. Could it be possible that when
I lifted the cover that golden head
would be found beneath? My life has
known no blacker moment than that In
which flung back the lid Of that trunk.
averted my eyes in dread Of the i'm
pending disclosure and held the candle
close.
But the trunk was empty, incredibly
empty! My courage rose again, and !
glanced at Miss Octavia triumphantly.
even jerked out the trays to allay any
lingering suspicion. Why had ever
doubted Hezekiah? Who was she, the
golden haired daughter Of kings, to be
caught in trunk? She had slipped up
the ladder while talked to her aunt
and was even now hiding on the root.
but it was not for me to make 30 trea-
sonable Z suggestion. Miss Octavia
might press the matter further II she
liked, but would not help her to trap
Hezekiah.
Miss Hollister did not, to my surprise
and relief, suggest an inspection Of the
roof. She nodded her head gravely
and passed out into the hall.
"Mr. Ames, II l implied a moment
ago that I doubted your story Of the
dropping Of that tan pump from q
Beacon street roof or window, now
tender you my sincerest apologies"
She put out her hand. smiling charm
ingly.
pray return to the occupations which
were engaging you when interrupted
you. You have never stood higher In
my regard than at this moment To-
morrow you may tell me all you please
Of the ghost and the mysteries Of this
house, and dare say we shall find the
bones Of that British soldier some
where beneath the foundations. As
for that trifling bit Of leather you hold
In your hand. it's rather passe for
Beacon street. The next time you tell
that story suggest that you play your
game Of drop the slipper from a win
dow of Rittenhouse square. Philadel-
phia.'
Hezekiah on the roof was safe for
time. Miss Octavia's gentle rejection
Of my Beacon street anecdote and her
intimation that Hezekiah had been an
unbilled participant Of the comedy Of
the ghost had been disquieting. and In
my relief of her abandonment Of the
search l loitered on downstairs With
my hostess. l wished to impress her
with the idea that I was without ur-
gent business. Hezekiah would, beyond
doubt, amuse herself after her own
fashion on the roof until was ready
to release her. As I had quietly locked
the trunk room door and carried the
key in my pocket was reasonably
sure Of this. Humility Is best acquired
through tribulation, and as Hezekiah
sat among the chimney crooks nursing
one stockinged foot and waiting for
me to turn up with her lost slipper It
would do her no harm to nibble the
bitter fruit Of repentance with another
biscuit
(To be conrinued.)