Graham guardian., 1913-04-25
CHAPTER v.
The Strange Behavior Of : Chimney.

"(IERE was no reason In tn,
/ world why Hartley Wiggin
| should not call npsn two Ia
dies living In Westcheste
county. and must say that he ap
peared to advantage in Mise HoIllster'
library
He had Rot into bis evening clothe,
somewhere. perhaps at a ne!ghborlni
inn or maybe at the house Of friend
for he could not possibly have motoret
into town ami back since his Interview
with Ceri,is III the highway. He had
impressed the clerk at the Hare ant
Tortoise with the idea that he hat
left New York for long absence, ant
he had apparently camped at the gates
Of Hopef1eld to be near Cecilia.
When he had paid his compliments
to the ladies' he turned to me with al
alraost imperceptible lifting of the
brows. but he was cordial enough. II
he was surprised or disappointed at see
ing me his manner did not betray the
feeling.
Glad to see you. Ames. Rather
nice weather this"
Even Dakota couldn't do better"
affirmed with grin. but he ignored
the ding. .es
Cecilia stirred restlessly, and felt
decidedly Ill at ease. Miss Hollister
crossed to the fireplace and poked the
logs. H
Just what part Hezekiah Hollister
played In the situation was beyond me.
If had not witnessed Virgins clan
destine meeting with Cecilia matters
would have been clearer to my COM
prehension. but his appearance at the
house after the colloquy l had over
heard from the brier patch was In it.
self inexplicable. Miss HOLSTERS sin.
gular references to Hezekiah-a person
about whom my curiosity was now a
good deal aroused-added to the mys-
terry that infolded the library.
Responsive to Miss HOLSTERS ener-
getic prodding. the flames in the fire.
place leaped into the great throat of
the chimney with a roar She turned.
her back to the blaze. and looked upon
her guests benignantly.
"lf all your dues draw like. that ore
thoy are not seriously IN need of doc
toring," remarked
"Flues are nothing If not cratic" re.
piled Miss Hollistcr. The subject did
not appear to interest her. nor had
she, by the relnotest suggestion, refer
red to the OBJECT of my coming. had
shifted yatnly in the halls, above and
below for any trace OF the stale smoke
which usually greeted me Mt once on
my arrival at the house of a client.
The house was built. you may not
know. for manufacturer Of umbrel-
las. who died before he had occupied
1t. in circumstances may later dis
close to you, which accounts, Mn
Ames. for that figure of Cupid under
a pink parasol on the drawing room
ceiling. At the first opportunity
shall remove it as baby Cupids are ir-
reconcilable with the militant love-
making | admire. I consider umbrel-
las detestable and never carry ono
when can command mackIntosh."
When I'm on the ranch l wear a
slicker" said Virgins. "It's bullet
proof, and that have found at times
q desided advantage"
We discussed mackintoshes for at
least ten minutes with fnr more
sprightliness than l had imagined the
subject could evoke. Then Miss Hol-
lister, after turn up and down the
room, paused beside me.
"Mr. Ames." she said, would you
care to join me In a game Of billiards? :?
I'm not in my best form, but l think
we might praftably knock the balls
for half an hour"
acquiesced with alacrity. l nssum-
ed 1t to be Miss HOLSTERS purpose to
leave Cecilia and Virgins alone, !
should be rendering Virgins ana Ger
ella q service by withdrawing. and !
was glad of chance to escape,
To my infinite surprise they. both pro-
tested. not In mere polite murinurs, but
with considerable vehemence.
Its quite cool tonight. and I don't
believe you ought to use the billiard
room until the plumber has fixed the
radiator" said Cecilia.
"And IL you knew Mr., Amas' game
I'm sure you wouldn't care to waste
tims on him." piped Virgins, whom l
had frequently vanquished In billiard
bouts ut the Hare and Tortoise, where,
! may say msdestly, had long been
considered one OF the most formidable
Of the clubs players.
Both he and Cecilia had risen, and
we stood. remember, just before the
hearth during this exchange. AT this
moment singular thing happened.
The fire that had been sweeping In a
broad wavelike curve into the chin
ney was checked suddenly. had re-
peatedly remarked the admirable draft,
the facile grace of the fame as 1t rose
and vanished. The cessation Of the
araft was unmarked by any Of those
preinonitory symptoms by which fire
usually gives warning Of evil inten-
tions. The upward current Of ar had
eeased utterly and without apparent
cause. We were all aware Of choking,
q gasning In the deep tiue, which could
not be accounted for by any natural
stoppage incident to chimneys-the
dislodging Of masonry or a packing Of
SCOT. The former was hardly possible
and the house was not old enough to
make the latter theory plausible. From
my survey Of the fue on my arrival In
the afternoon judged that this par
ticular chimney had been little used.
The smoke now rolled out In pillows