The Washington times., 1915-05-09

tlred ana healthy man can
, was awakened the next morning by
p quiet movements Of a man-servant
DO had brought back his clothes care
ly brushed and pressed. He sat up
bed and discovered a small china tea
uipage by his side.
'eay, what's this?" he inquired.
Your tea. SIR"
Quest drank half a cupful without
otest.
Tour bath is ready at any time. sir. -
Tn coming right along" Quest re-
led. Jumping out Of bed.
rhs man held up a dressing gown and
Ported him to an Unexpectedly mod
b bath room at the end Of the corri-
=. When Quest returned. his toilet
ticles were all laid out for him with
Inn precision; the window was wide
en. tho blinds drawn, and soft
esse was stealing through into the
pm. Below him. the park, looking
pre- beautiful than ever In the morn
, sunshine. stretched away to a vista
distant meadowlands and cornfelds.
th here and there little farm house
d outbuildings gathered snugly to-
ther. The servant. who had heard
% leave the bath room. reappeared.
u there anything further l can do
yot. sirT' he inquired
Nothing at all. thanks" Quest as
red him What times breakfast 2"
breakfast Is served at 9 o'clock. sir
n now $50"
Elfl be right there"
4e man withdrew and Quest made a
1k toilet. The nameless fears of the
evious night had altogether disap-
Ayed. To his saner morning imagina- :
a. tho atmosphere seemed somehow
have become cleared Of that cloud of
Pterious depression. He was whistling
himself from sheer light-heartedness
ne turned to leave the room. Then
ehock came. At the last moment he
etohed out his hand to take a hand
0hef from his satchel. A sudden
otsmation broke from his lips. He
oa Tor e moment as though turned
etone. Before him. on the top of the
pile Of white cambric, was a small
Hak box! With a movement of the
9efs which was almost mechanical,
removed tina lid and drew out the
tomaTy little scrap Of paper. He
oothed II out before him on the
Seine case and read the message:
xou Will fail here as you have failed
lore. Better so back. There is more
assr Sr,a@ f0r o you in this country than
HS testll came fercely together and
nands were olenched. His thoughts
SnsolS,. solfS IKE ts fash to Lenora. Was
He put the idea away from him
post as econ es conceived The thing
pnlmaginable. Craig was here,
aet DO here In the close Vicinity of the
zee. He could have had no time to
nmppieate with confederates in Lon
q 70
2H 10 glanced around the room and
nfe, In the dead Of the night. Ws as
4ad slept. mysterious feet had stolen
eYsi his room, mysterious hands had
) NaSning in that simple hiding place
would have been just as ca :. he
yecfed. with grim little s'~ e. for
"a hands to have stretci their
Sq-dea!ing fingers over the b. where
~ out over tho park Somehow, its
thfbed.. The strange sense of fore
ing wh!oh he. In common with the
ers. had carried about with him last
u had returned.
70 atmosphere of the pleasant break
room to which in due course he
bonded was cheerful enough Lady
tletgh had already taken her place
the head Of the table before a gilt
nipage. The professor. with a plate
hts hand, was making an approving
heed upon the sideboard.
'An English breakfast, my dear
4st" he remarked. after they had
sure. appeal to, you: am not. I
nfsss, given to the pleasures of the
BILE, but II anything could move me
enthusiasm In dietary matters, the
mt of your sideboard. my dear sister
Dfer sausages. those long. thin ones
homemade and delicious. Does Mrs.
IND still cure our hams, Julia p
Her daughter does" Lady Ashleigh
Piled, smiling. We are almost self
bporting here. All our dairy produce,
a or coffee, Mr.. Quest?"
ICoffee, II you please" Quest decided,
burning from his visit to the sideboard.
Lord Ashleigh late riser?'
mot by any means" his wife de;
lrsd, He very often gets up and
lee In the park before breakfast.
n'y know where he is this morning.
didn't even come in to sce me. l
Ink we must send up."
Sho touched an electric bell under her
BIT and a moment or two later the
Itlsr appeared.
3o up and see how long your master
n be-" Lady Ashleigh directed.
Very good, your ladYship"
the man was backing through the
orway in his usual digniied manner
ben he was suddenly pushed on one
e. The valet who had waited upon
hest, and who was Lord Ashleigh :
m servant. rushed into tho room
face was white. He had forgotten
decorum He almost shouted to
3Ldy Ashleigh;
'Your ladYship-the master Some
ing has happened! He won't move!
fhey all rose to their feet. Quest
paned TO himself. The black box,
'What do YOU mean" Lady Ashleigh
ltered. What do you mean. Will
ms2"
rhe man shook his head. He seemed
most incapable Of speech.
Something has happened to the mas
tp'
rhey all troored out of the room and
the stairs, the professor leading the
by. Thev pushed omen the door Of
Brd Ashleigh's hedChamber. In the
corner Of the large room was the
nr-poster, and underneath the clothes
silent figure. The professor turned
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