Charlevoix county herald., 1915-06-19
The Mysterious Monogram
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BY Howard p. Hockey
Copyright 1914 Howard p. Rocky


was at its height, so the departure of
Sir Harry and Darlington seemed
perfectly natural when reported to
Scotland Yard. After talking over the
telephone with Cornish, Farndale had
consulted with Darlington, and they
had decided to take Harcourt's family
physician into their confidence. Con
sequently, DR.. Maybrooke was with
them in the motor when they met
Cornish at the little village hotel. To
the townsfolk who hung about the lit
tie inn, there was nothing unusual in
the meeting, and over their luncheon
in the public room, the four men made
their plans without interruption.
And now, having accomplished their
purpose, they dined with perfect sat-
isfaction at the hunting lodge, while
Harcourt lay in bed in the little attic
room overhead safe from the discov-
cry of any chance visitor. Quarters
had also been fitted up for Adele and
Cornish on the top floor, as it had
been decided best for them to remain
out of sight in case strangers hap
pened in. Only Sir Henry's servants
and his chauffeur were aware of the
guests at the lodge, and as there was
no house within several miles, they
felt reasonably secure against prying
eyes.
DR.. Maybrooke had Immediately eX-
amined Harcourt with the greatest
care, and had reported favorably upon
his condition. At first he had seemed
bit puzzled over the injured mans
condition, but after working with him
for more than an hour, the physician
had come down to dinner with a sat-
isfied air.
In spite of the gaiety they felt over
their success thus far, each of them
felt strangely troubled, and strove as
best they might to keep their indi
vidual fears from the others. New
ertheless, the unexpected appearance
of MacBee in the neighborhood had
set them all thinking, and it was the
unexplained presence of some other
mysterious danger that kept their
nerves at the highest pitch.
AS soon as the meal was over,
Adele hurried upstairs to see how her
patient Jared, and after cigarette,
the doctor followed with Cornish. Sir
Harry and Darlington remained at the
table smoking quietly, each busy with
his own thoughts. Darlington, in
spite of his anxiety, was supremely
happy at seeing Adele again, and at
the first opportunity he meant to tell
her of the fact.
1t was quite dark now, and finding
it warm inside, the two men stepped
out on the long low veranda that ran
around three sides of the lodge.
"Dicky," Sir Harry said, as he
pulled at his cigar thoughtfully. T'm
wondering if Pm been foolish"
"How SOP
"Sir Thomas and Grace are coming
up tomorrow. Of course / told them
all about it before we left, and as
soon as she learned that Harcourt
was injured, she absolutely insisted
upon seeing him."
81 don't know" Darlington an
swered hesitatingly. at can't do any
harm that | can see. Marston's COM
ing would be natural enough, and
there's nothing to excite suspicion in
her running up for few days. Nat
urally she is anxious to be near him
if he is in physical danger too"
Suddenly loud putting broke the
stiffness of the evening, and the two
men sprang into the roadway.
What the devilw Farndale ex-
claimed and in another moment the
lights of big automobile silhouetted
their figures sharply against the lodge
wall. The car drew up with a grind
ing of brakes, coming to a standstill
within few feet of the house.
who's there ?" Sir Harry called
out, trusting that the noise of the
cars arrival would warn those up
staids to keep out of sight. Caring
ton looked up carelessly as though
looking at the sky, and noted with sat
sfaction that the little attic window
was dark. He was sure, however,
that someone was standing behind the
blinds looking out and listening at
the open easement.
The throbbing of the motor ceased
with final rumble, and figure in
long gray coat and cap leaped out of
the machine. Pulling off his goggles
the man came quickly toward them.
at is I-MacBee," he answered,
stepping into the light from the door