The Irish standard., 1916-01-15

man, who brought with him a brown
paper parcel, which he did not carry
away again. Since the arrival of the
parcel Helen had seen Edward Gray
only at rare moments, and he was
growing so pale and haggard with
anxiety that she was beginning to feel
pity for him. Nianifestly, he was no
more successful at digging out the
books secret than she and Felix had
been.
What little she had seen of Edward
Gray, however, confirmed Miss Bertels
estimation Of the young mans charac.
ter; and thus bond of sympathy and
understanding was created between
the two girls. To tell the truth, Helen
was thawing toward the other girl
who. like herself, was Independent and
self-reliant, and undismayed by the
necessity Of wrestling living from
the world. She sincerely hoped Miss
Crystal would find her inheritance.
On the fourth day Felix Hazard was
shown into the vast room at Gray
Gables" that had once served as its
library. Both Helen and the pretty
mistress of the house greeted him.
Ills first words were addressed to the
latter.
Where is your cousin?" he CURLY
asked.
Locked in his room, fighting with
the musty old books. I'm afraid he
will be i'll unless his efforts are re-.
warded pretty soon."
Hell gain nothing" Hazard averred,
III he pores over them till doomsday.
Meanwhile, we may get busy ourselves
without fear Of interruption from him.
This room was Mr.. Sydenor
Gray's library, suppose?"
His glance skirted the walls, which
were bare save for a few pictures. The
proportions were large, the shape ir.
regular; that is, its lines were broken
by two wide and deep alcoves, an
enormous fireplace and three large
bay-window embrasures. The shelves
with their hundreds of queer and most.
ly worthless old books were gone, and
the room and been redecorated and re-.
furnished.
"Yes," Miss Gray acknowledged.
Have you any recollection of where
the two Hakluyts stood on the shelves
with reference to the wall, l mean?"
Mercy goodness. MOI" was the EN-.
phatic reply. Every inch of wall
space, almost to the ceiling, was com.
pletely hidden by books; nobody, not
even uncle himself, could have told
you precisely where any particular
volume was"
Them" Hazard solemnly announced,
III you want to secure your legacy.
you will have to wreck the walls till
you find it. And at that the labor may
be in vain; my theory may be wrong
again, you know"
Now, at Hazards last question Helen
Berters expressive eyes kindled, and
her pretty face grew animated with q
light of comprehension; but she waited
till he and Miss Gray got deep into a
discussion Of probable expense, likely
damage to the house, structural diff.
fculties to be met and overcome, the
danger of following another false and
this time costly trail, when she rose
and stole quietly from the room. BY
and by she returned and interrupted
the colloquy by dumping score OF
more of large photographs upon the
library table.
Miss Gray and Hazard looked at
them 1nQuiringly. and then at Helen
for an explanation.
These pictures" Helen began,
were taken for the Suburban Home
magazine. so Miss Gray Informed me
when found them and asked about
them. There are two exceptionally
clear views of this very room as it was
before 1t was dismartled and the books
taken away"
In q twinkling Hazard ran through
the pile until the views were found.
The two did, in truth, prove to be un.
usually sharp and clear cut. With his
pocket lens Hazard scanned them in.
tently. At last he looked up with an
air Vt triumph.
"Eureka!" he cried. Sufficient OF
the titles is legible to obviate any
chance of error"
He bounded to his feet. and, refer
ring to the photograph from time to
time. and comparing it with certain
definite points of the room, he walked
to the west wall and laid his hand
upon spot on its surface.
There" said he, "if 1t is anywhere
lies your legacy. Miss Gray. The two
books were, in very truth. the gate.
way to your fortune, and not the re-
pository of the secret Of its hidins
place."
And this time they were not disap.
pointed. When Hazard and Helen said
their farewells to Crystal Gray she
was richer by some 100000 in valu.
able bonds and stock certificates, be-
sides gold and currency. The reward
OF the two operatives was common.
surate with the service rendered, and
the girl proved herself generous az
we'll as grateful.
To Helen, as Hazard and she rode
back together to the city, he ex.
planned:
Cousin Edward packed his belong.
fngs when he learned what was in the
wind, and quietly stole away. | had q
word with him, however, before he
left"
you discovered, suppose, how he
learned the secret of the check" said
Helen.
yes" Hazard handed her a small
fro NJ nopor