Bisbee daily review., 1915-06-27
CHAPTER w.


 Neither of us spoke Hornby start cd quickly as soon as his eyes fell upon me, and his face became blanched 10 the lips, while Muriel Leithcourt, quick to notice the sudden change in him, rose and introduced US in as calm a voice as she could command.
 "l don't think you are acquainted" she said to me with a smile. This is MT. Martin Woodroffe-Mr. Gordon Gregg"
 We bowed, exchanging greetings ag strangers. while. carefully watching ] saw how greatly the minds of both were relieved They shot meaning glances at each other, and then, as he chatted with the daughter of the house he cast quick, covert glance at me and then darted a meaning look at her-a look of renewed confidence, as though he felt that he had successfully averted any suspicious l might have held.
 We talked of the prospects Of the grouse and the salmon, and from his remarks he seemed to be as keen at sport as he had once made out him. self to be at yachting. While l was carefully watching the rapid working Of his mind. Leithcourt himself en tered and joined us.
 Host and guest were evidently on the most intimate terms. Leithcourt addressed him as Martin" and while they were talking Muriel suggested that we should stroll down to the ten his courts again, an invitation which much as I regretted leaving the two men, I was bound to accept. Among inc party strolling and lounging there prior to departure were quite a nun. Der of people l knew, people who had shooting boxes in the vicinity and were my uncle's friends. In Scotland there is always a hearty hospitality among the sporting folk, and the laws of caste are far less rigorous than they are in England.
 was standing chatting with two ladies who were about to take leave of their hostess, when Leithcourt re- turned, but alone Hornby had not accompanied him Was 1t because he feared to again meet me?
 In order to ascertain something re. gsrding the man who had SO mysteri- ously fled from Leghoru, l managed by the exercise of a little diplomacy to sit on the lawn with a young married woman named Tenuant. wife of a cav airy captain. who was one of the house party After a little time l succeeded in turning the conversation to her fel low guests. and more particularly tC the man l knew as Hornby.
 "Ohl Mir. Woodroffe is most anus ing" declared the bright little woman Hes always playing some practical joke or other. After dinner he i' usually the life and soul of our party
 Yes" I said, q like what little have seen of him He's a very good fellow, l should say I've heard that he's engaged to Muriel," 1 hazarded "ls that true?"
 "Of course. They've been engaged nearly a year, but he's been abroad un til quite lately. He is rather close about his own affairs and never talks about his travels and adventures, al though one day Mir Lcithcourt de clared that his hairbreadth escape' would make a most exciting book i ever written"
 "Leithcourt and he are evidently most intimate friends"
 "Oh quite inseparable!" sh, laughed. And the other man who ii always with them is that short, stout red-faced old fellow standing ovel there with the lady in pale blue, Sil Ughtred Gardner Mr. Woodroffe hal nicknamed him Sir Putrid' And ", both laughed. "Of course, don't say said so," she whispered. "They don call him that to his face, but it's SC easy to make a mistake in his namt when he's not within hearing. W' women don't care for him, so the nick name just fits.
 And she gossiped on, telling mo much that l desired to know regarding the new tenant of Rannoch and hil friends, and more especially of tha man who had first introduced himsel to me in the consulate at Leghorn.
 Half an hour later my uncle's car riage was announced, and I left witl the distinct impression that there wa some deep mystery surrounding th LeithcOurts. Whatever the reason, had become filled with grave appre hensions The mystery grew doepe day by day, and was inexplicable.
 During the week that followed sought to learn all ! could regardin the new people at the castle
 They are taken up everywhere, declared my aunt whe. ] questione her "Of course, we knew very littl of them, except that they had shoc up near Fort William two years agC and that they have a town house I Green street They are evidentl rather smart folks. Don't you thin SOP"
 Judging from their house partl yes.' responded. "They are about'a gay a crowd as one could find mort of Carlisle just at present"
 EXaXcuy. There are some vel known people among them, too sai ny aunt Iys asked them oysr. (