The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-01-14

objection to my going over the place
with Mr.. Saks, l am sure. He is the
architect who is to rebuild the castle
for me. My attorney and Mr.. Pooly-
the ~notary-will. with your assistance,
draw up the proper contracts prellm1n.
airy to the formal transfer, and l will
sign them with you upon my return"
Would it not be better to discuss the
question of payments before We go
any further, Count TarnowsyT
You viii be paid in cash, Mr.. Smart.
the instant the deed is transferred he
said coldly.
l followed him to the top Of the
stairs which descended to the basement
of the castle. 1t was rather significant
that he elected to explore the lower
regions first of all.
IT shall accompany you,' said I de-
~liberately.
A faint scowl came into his face. He
eyed me fixedly for a moment, then
shrugged his shoulders and said that
his only desire was 10 avoid putting nae
to any unnecessary trouble If | cared
to come. he would be more than CRATE
full
1T isn't necessary to visit the cell
lars, Saks," he said to the architect
Ample time for that sort of rummag-
ing. / particularly want your opinion
walls on this floor and above. My
scheme of improvements, Mr. Smart,
contemplates the enlargement of these
halls by throwing them into one"
"A very simple process" said J, III
upon you heads while you're about it."
Il shall contrive to ave my scalp.
Mr.: Smart, no matter what happens.
1t Is very precious to me-
We went over the castle rather hur.
riedly, l thought, hut he explained that
Saks merely wanted a general idea of
the structure; he would return another
day to make a careful inspection.
should dai be- wiling Inns a to p saFpt doaSle 'n Your r
price for Schloss Rothhoefen," he ven-
tured, pausing in the corridor to light a
Cigarette We Were on our way to the
top of the east wing.
"Oh, no" | said calmly. Il am aware
that treasure is buried here. As a
matter of fact. Nv tried to unearth it
myself, but without success. l wish
you better luck"
the first swift glance of inquiry. 1T is
doubtless a fairy tale, handed down by
tradition. | take no stock in 1T. My
principal object in acquiring Rothhoefen
sets me. I have it on excellent au-
thority that my. ex-father-in-law-the
man Titus, you know-taIks of buying
, the property and performing the stu
. %pendouS, characteristic American feat
Of removing it, stone and timber, just
as it is, to his estate north of New York
! City. No one but a vulgar, purse-proud
American would think of doing such a
: thing"
The news staggered me. Could there
be anything in what he said? If it was
: true that Jasper Titus contemplated
such a quixotic move, there could be but
one compelling force behind t1es within:
sentiment. But not sentiment on the
; part of Jasper Titus.
II cannot believe that he considers
doing such a thing" l said rather
hlankly. You see. if anyone should
know, am that one. He has not APP
preached me, of that you may be sure.
He did not appear to be interested.
l My information is not authoritative
Mr.. Smart said he. 1T came to me
/ through my representatives who con-
, in regard to certain difficulties that
: had existed between us. From what
!. they were able to gather, the idea has
taken root in the old mans head. Now.
, ] want to buy this place for no other
! reason than to tell him that he hasn't
+ enough money in his possession to pur-
! chase it from me. Dyou see? Vanity,
I you may call il; as do, but it pleases
: me to coddle it"
|. side him. Would l BIO serving the
! Countess i'll or Well by selling the place
4 to Tarnowsy? 1t was her whim, OF
> course. and it was a foolish one.
, Suppose that he offered you twice
II ~ VI oiV w pay iHV v wv FiaNCp
! said l, struck by a sudden thought.
= He laughed easily. You will not, II
i, seems, acquit me of cupidity, Mr.. Smart
| should not sell to him under any con
: sideration. That. is final. Take it OIL
- leave it."
!, By this time we were in the rooms
. once occupied by the Countess. He
p glanced about the apartment carelessly
q Deserted, | observe" he remarked
. with a queer smile.
II. Mn heart almost stood still. "Eb'
! What do you meant"
u IF l am not mistaken, these are thu
- oon once Occupied by YOU valet.
/. wife. Am right"
c | steadied myself. She has gon,
. away" | said. Couldn't stand the eli
= mate
= Il see said he, but he was still smil
ing. How does our valet stand it,"
u Nicely" said I. with q consciou.
y blush.
:: Il mean the separation, of course"
= Certainly. He is used TO it,"
- Isn't 1t rather odd that he shoult
y still think she is here in the castle?"
" Does he?" | murmured.
Il inquired for her when ] encoun
+, tered him downstairs. He said she wa
quite well this morning, except for
- headache"
q she Is subject to headaches, I be
% ~lieve," said l, with the utmost non
70 c~halanee. He lifted his right eyebrow
slightly, but said 10 more on the sub