The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-23
CONTINUED
CHAPTER w.
! Converse With a Mystery.


of industry would have ceas
ed; but. alas, the noise was even NOR,
deafening than before. Esyping Brit
ton in the gloomy corridor. shouted
to him. and be came at once.
"Britton." said | as he closed tn,
door. do you think they will carr,
out their threat TO have the law OF
me! Mr.. Rocksworth was very angry
and put out. He is a power. as yol
know"
Il think you are quite safe. sir.
said he. Shortly before .. sir. one OF
the porters from the hotel came ovel
to recover gold purse Mrs. Riley
Werkheimer had dropped in the excite
ment. and be informed Mr.. Poopen
dyke that the whole party was leaving
at 4 for Dresden"
Later on. somewhat refreshed anC
relieved. made my way TO the little
balcony. first having issued numerous
orders and directions to the still stupe
fed Schmicks. chief among which was
an fnfexible command to keep the
gates locked against all ccmers.
Suddenly as | sat there Eliminating
became acutely aware of something
white on the ledge Of the topmost win
dow in the eastern tower. Even as
hxed my gaze upon 1t something else
transpired. A cloud of soft wavy.
luxurious brown hair eclipSed the mar.
row white strip and hung with spread
ing splendor over the easement ledge
plainly. indubitably to dry in the sun.
My neighhor had washed her hair.
And il was really a most wonderful
head OF hair. | can't remember eve.
having seen anything like it except IL
the advertisements.
What glorious. appealing. sensuous
thing crown of hair-but Just then
Mr.. Poopendyke game TO my window.
May | interrupt you for moment
Mr.. Smart?" he inquired. as he squint
I'd at me through his ugly bone trimmed
glasses.
Come here. Poopendyke." com
manded in low, excited tones. He hesi.
tated. You won't fall off" | said
sharply.
Although the window is at least nine
feet high, Poopendyke stopped as hs
tame through. He always does it, no
matter how tall the door. 1t is a. life
long habit with him. Have | men.
toned that my worthy secretary is six
feet four and us thin as Il reed? | re,
member speaking of his knees. He is
also bachelor.
1T is a dreadful distance down
there. he murmured. tiattening him
self against the wall and closing his
eyes.
A pair of slim white hands at that
instant indoIently readjusted the thick
mass of hair and quite as casually dis.
appeared. failed to hear Mr. Poopen.
dykes remark.
Il think. sir" he proceeded III
woald he very good idea to get some
of our correspondence of our hands
A great deal of it has accumulated in
the past few weeks. | wish to say that
! am quite ready to attend to ii when.
ever
Time enough for letters" said l.
still staring
First of all. We must have a lad.
der" l went on. Have you seen to
thatY'
"A ladder?" be fsltered. putting one
foot back through the window in a
most suggestive way.
''Oh," said l. remembering. II haven't
pld you. have I? Look. Up there. In
that window. Do you see that?"
What is it, sir? A rugT'
Rug. Great Scott. man. don't you
ttT
I've never-er-never seen it-you
might say-just like that. Is it hair?'
'It is. You do see it. don't your
-How did it get there?"
Good! Now | know I'm not dream
ing. Come. There's no time to be lost.
We may be able to get up there before
she hears usr'
| instructed old Conrad to have the
tallest ladder brought TO me in. the
courtyard at once.
There is no such thing about the
CASTLE" he announced blandly.
where are your sons:" | demanded.
The old couple held up their hands In
great distress.
Herr Britton has them wearing their
souls out. turning a windlass outside
the gates-ach. that terrible invention
of his"' groaned old Conrad. My poor
SONS are faint with fatigue. mein herr.
You should See them perspire and hear
them pant for breath
Happily new idea struck me almost
at once
In jiffy half dozen carpenters
were at work constructing a substantial
ladder out of scantlings. while | stood
over them in serene command of the
situation.
When the ladder was completed
mounted to the top and peered through
the sashless window. II was quite
black and .repelling beyond. Instruct.
ing Britton and the two brothers to fol.
low me In turn. clambered over the
wide stone sill and lowered myself gin.
gerry TO the floor
l will not take up the time or the
space to relate my experiences on this
first fruitless visit to the east wing of