The Washington times., 1915-05-02

run out here from the home wood. and
I've seen feathers at the side OF the
road there that no fox nor stoat had
nothing TO do with. All the same, sir,
I'm very sorrY.' he added. ito have
been the cause of any Inconvenience.
1T is rather worse than inconveni-
ence. Middleton" the professor said.
gravely. THE man who has escaped is
one OF the worst criminals Of these
days"
"IIe won't get far, SIR" the game
keeper remarked. with a little smile.
TITS wild bit of country. this. and I
admit that men might search 1t for
weeks without finding anything. but
those gentlemen from Scotland Yard,
sir, IL you'll excuse my making the re-
mark. and hoping that this gentleman. -
he added. looking at Quest, 'is in no
way connected with them-well they
don't know everything, and that's a
This gentleman is from the United
States" Lord Ashleigh reminded him.
go your criticism doesn't affect him
BY the bye. Middleton. 1 heard this
morning that you'd been airing your
opinion down in the village. Yout seem
to rather fancy yourself as a thief.
Il wouldn't 60 go far as that. m,
lord the man replied. respectfully
put, still. ] hope I may say that I've
as much commen sense as most people
Quest. the spots where he coult
emerge from the track of country are
pretty well guarded. and he'll be II
a fine mess. when he does put in ar
public road. Yet by this time I should
J say he must be nigh starved. Soone,
| or later he'll have to come our fol
| food. I've a little scheme of my own
sir. I don't mind admitting" the maj
concluded with twinkle in his keer
brown eyes. I'm not giving II away
! II can catch him for you that's I'll
that's wanted. I imagine. and we shan
be any the nearer TO II for letting any
one into my little secret"
| His master nodded
You shall have your rise out OF th
police; II YOU can. Middleton" he oh
served. 1T seems queer. though. t
believe that the fellows still in hidin,
| round here"
AS though by common consent they al
stood Tor a moment perfectly still, look
ing across the stretch of marshlan,
with Its boggy places its scrubby plan
grasses and bullrushes. The gray twi
light had become even more pro
nounced during the last few minutes
Little wreaths OF white mist hung owe
.ne damp places; Everywhere was
breathless. The professor shivered an
turned away
My nerves" he declared. ARE scarce
~ what they were. l have listene
In prtmeval forest listened for tn
soft rolling OF snake in the Under
growth. or the distant roar OF som
oeast or prey. ] have listened to thcr
with curosity I have not known fea
II seems to me. somehow. that in thi
place thee Is something different nfoo
I don't like II, George-I don't IKE +
We will 20 home. II you please"
They made their wav. single file. (
n. road and up to the house Ior
Ashleigh did his best to dispel que.
little sensation ot uneasiness whic
all ~ them.
Come" he said. I'VE must put asid
our disappointment for the present an
remember that after all the chances al
% Nhtis ! Us Mo- torfsa oaea, hin nc tor ,s,.d lit
Few minutes later. as they reached IL
I hall, Moreton here will show you
> 7 can recommend my sherry. We ~ di, il
At o'clock. Edgar, you know yo,
~aNi cnnir The he, Slue & room, Of course. 7 a
ship back yet. Moreton?'
, Not yet. my lord"
Lady Ashleigh." her husband e,
planned. has gone to the other side
me county to open a bazaar. She
= Coming you at dinner time"
A Dinner served. out OF compliment
n thelr trans-Atla ntic visitor. In the gre
hanqueting hall, was to Quest espec
e ally. a most impressive meal They s
i at a small round table lit by shad.
i 'ights, In the center OF an apartrne
A which was large in reality. and whi,
y seemed vast by reason OF the shadoy
which hovered down a long successi,
v OF family portraits-Ashleighs in Il
- queer Tudor costume Of Henry VI
o Ashleighs In chain armor sword
n hand. charger waiting, regardless
!. perspective. In the near distance; As
u leighs befrilled and bewigged: As
: leighs in the court dress of the Georg
Judges. sailors. statesmen and soldier
: A collection OF armor which would ha
gladdened the eye OF many an an
quarian. was ranged along the blac
Il neneled walls. Everything was in ha
a nnon|, ever the grave precision OF I
9 solemn-faced butler and the powder
hair Of tn two footmen. Quest perha
!. tor the first time in his life felt almc
. . lost. hopelessly out OF touch with
SURROUNDINGS, an alien. and a struggli
o ! figure. Nevertheless. he entertained I
u It'll" party with many stories
struggled all the time against that Que
II sensation OF anachronism which M
e and then became almost oppressive
The professors pleasure at findi
d himself once more amongst these I
y miliar surroundings was obvious and
It tense. The conversation between HI