The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01

worthy uSkeu.
They sit out in the sun together for
an hour every morning, and once or
twice | have seen Mr.. Freezing Poign-
ton walking Just outside. But the
strange thing is that directly any one
approaches he goes indoors He seems
to have a perfect craze for avoiding
everybody"
"Incredibie!" Mr.. Laxworthy declared.
what about his secretary and valet, by
the bye?"
THE secretary is away. and the valet.
I believe. has been Ill. I know that
Mr.. Poignton is expecting new one
every day, but he has not arrived yet"
Where Is Mr.. Hamar?"
Gone to England" she replied.
so that practically the only people
sleeping in the villa are Mr.. Lenfield
and Freezing Poignton and the for
mer's servant?"
mfr. Ienfield's servant IL there" she
assented II have seen him once or
twice"
They walked along the terrace and
took the path to the right which led into
the wood and finally into the villa.
When they arrived before II II certainly
had n somewhat deserted appearance.
Mr.. Laxworthy knocked sharply upon
the door. There was no reply. He tried
the handle. but found 1t locked. Then
he stepped backward and looked up.
There was smoke appearing from the
chimney He knocked at the door again.
This time. after the lapse Of few mo-
ments. 1t was cautiously opened by Mr..
Lenfeld's servant
What is 1t you want?" he asked
CURLY.
Il desired" Mr.. Laxworthy said. "to
speak with Mr.. Lenfield.'
Mr.. Lenfield is not in" the man re-
piled, half closing the door.
You can give him a message then
when he returns" Mr.. l.axworthy con-
tinued. kindly tell him that Mr.. Lax
worthy is back"
40 need my dear friend. no need at
all to announce IT," they heard some one
say In the background. "One moment"
Mr.. Ienfeld appeared. coming down
the stairs. He walked To the door. but
he did not invite Mr.. Iaxworthy to en-
ter. He was looking shockingly Ill.
Il thought ! heard your voice" he
remarked Welcome back again"
Il knocked at your door said Mr.
Llxworthy. because I understood at
the office that you had "-ked for me
during my absence
1T b. true" Mr.. Lenfcld admitted.
We missed you from your accustomed
table. We were half inclined to fear
that you were finding things little dull
here and had moved on
An excellent idea" said Mr.. Lax
worthy. Your quarters too seem com
Portable"
"On some other occasion" Mr.. Len
field promised. II Will give myself the
pleasure of asking You To- inspect them
Mr. LaXworthy raised his hat and
turned away. a few yards from the
house he paused to watch "A man who
seemed to have come out of the back
door. and was making his way into the
woods
There Is no doubt he remarked.
that there are peculiar circumstances
connected with the isolation of our
friends. Since you have told me So
| much II may interest YOU to know that
Fritz. the concierge, had instructions to
let them know here the moment | re-
turned. Yet they seem to have no de-
sire to see me when l present myself"
Have you any idea in your head
about these two mem" she bluntly
asked.
None at all The association seems
to me quite extraordinary. Lenfield was
| obviously emha ssed and gree
| ling Poignton has developed new
measure Of reserve. quite an interest
ing little situation. in its way. This is
the walk, Is ii not. which they call the
| lOneliest around the hotel?"
She drew little closer To him. They
: had climbed some distance into the
woods now, and coming toward them
| along the narrow path was IA man Of
somewhat forbidding aspect. He wore
lahorer's clothes and a cloth hat pulled
over his eyes. His face and his walk
We're alike unprepOss, ssing.
What a hateful looking person" she
murmured. Thank goodness am not
alone"
The man slackened his pace. lie was
looking fxedly at the girl. She laid
her fingers upon Mr.. LaXworthys arm.
1T is the man whom we saw coming
out OF the back of the villa" she cried.
Il think that shall scream"
"Youll do nothing Of the sort" Mr..
Laxworthy muttered. Wait"
The man passed without addressn 9
them. although both were conscious of
4 certain hesitation In his manner. No
sooner had he gone by, however, than
they heard him come TO halt Mr.
LaXworthy turned sharply round. What
followed happened so quickly that the