The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1916-01-28
CHAPTER Discontinued.

les, Sir. He called here in fly on
the day he came out, and at his re-
quest l took him over the castle. He
went into the library and spent half
an hour in pacing across it, taking
measurements and examining the big
cupboard In which he was found in
sensible, 1t was strange affair, sir"
added the young woman, wasn't it?'
Very" l replied.
"The gentleman might have been in
there now had l not gone into the H.
brary and found lot Of illustrated
papers, which l always put in the
cupboard to keep the place tidy.
thrown out on to the floor. ! went to
put them back. but discovered the door
locked The key l afterwards found
in the crate. where MIR. Leithcourt had
evidently thrown 1t. and on opening
the door imagine the shock had when
l found the visitor lying doubled up.
I. of course. thought he was dead"
And when he returned here on his
recovery. did he question your"
ooh. yes. He asked about the
Leithcourts and especially about Miss
Muriel. / believe he's rather sweet
on her. by the way he spoke. And
really no better or kinder lady ever
breathed, I'm sure. We're all very
sorry indeed for her"
"He came into this room. sup
pose?"
yes, sir" she responded. with just
a slight hesitation, l thought. This
was the room where he stayed the
longest There was a photograph in
THAT frame over there" she added. In
dicating the frame that had held the
picture of Elma Heath. "a portrait OF
a young lady, which he begged me to
give him"
And you gave 1t to him" I cried
quickly.
"Well-yes, sir. He begged so hard
Tor it. saying that 1t was the portrait
of a friend of his"
And he gave you something hand
some for it-eh?"
The young woman, whom | knew
could not refuse half-a-sovereign, col
ored slightly and smiled.
HE didn't tell you who the young
lady was. l suppose?"
mo, sir. He only said that that was
ZIG July pAOto6A oP1 lAae CAAolCOI anu
that she was dead"
Dead" gasped, staring at her.
Yes, sir. That was why he was so
anxious for the picture"
Elma Heath dead! Could it be true :?
That sweet-pictured face haunted me
as no other face had ever impressed
itself upon my memory. 1t somehow
seemed to impel me to endeavor to
penetrate the mystery, and yet Hylton
Chatter had declared that she was
dead! recollected the remarkable
letter from Abo, and her own declara-
tion that her end was near. That let
ter was. she said, the last she should
write to her friend.
After he had put the photograph in
his pocket, the gentleman made most
minute search in this ROOM" the do
mestic went on. HE consulted his
plan. took several measurements, and
then tapped on the paneling all along
this wall, as though he were searching
Tor some hidden cupboard or hiding
place. l looked at the plan, and saw q
mark in red ink upon it. He was try
ting to discover that spct, and was
greatly disappointed at not being able
to do so. He was In here over an hour.
and made a most careful search all
around"
And what explanation did he give?"
He only said, II find what l want.
Ann, / shall make you q present of
ten-pound note.' That naturally made
me anxious"
HE made NO other remark about the
In vvS. Il,
fously.
mo. Only he sighed. and looked
steadily for q long time at the photo
graph. saw his lips moving. but his
words were inaudible."
You haven't any idea Of the reason
Why he called upon Mr.. Leithcovvt,
SaDpoeer