Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-23

death, the question would spring into
his mind: What evidence of vital iI1i-
portance in this case had he, all I'M
Willingly, brought to Sir Gordon with
the anonymous letter?
At the first two houses the tele-
grams from Sir Gordons clerk had
arrived after the departure Of the mo-
torists: at the last two they had not
been claimed. Christopher was at a
loss what to do for the best, for the
one clue he had to the Collingwoods'
movements was lost: yet there was no
time to spend by the way in making
inquiries here and there. When he
he had thought until his head ached,
he decided to run into Bath. which
now lay near, and cali on the most
prominent house agent there.
Twilight was drawing on when he
drew up before the door of Richard
son e. Millington, In Bath, and
Christopher was thankful to find the
office not yet closed. To his 10y, his
wisdom in coming was proved. The
Collingwoods had called, between 3
and o'clock, and had spent some
time discussing particulars of various
houses in the agents books. in the
end they had found one. the descrip-
ton and photograph of which had de-
lighted all three. 1t was IN Eliza
betian house of some historic interest,
called Atherton Manor, and there was
large estate attached; but Mr.. Col
lingwood had remarked that this
would be no objection II he liked the
place. 1t was late to visit 1t that
afternoon, as it lay twenty miles or
more out Of Bath; but the American
gentleman had seemed very energetic
and had insisted upon going. He had
been interested to hear that the owners
the two heiresses Of the estate
were still living at the Manor, which
must be sold owing to the conditions
of the fathers will. Mr. Collingwood
had heard of some valuable pictures
and jewels, which were heirlooms in
the Anterior family, for he had in,
quired If they were kept in the house;
and, on being told that they were still
there, he had been anxious to set off
at once with an order to view.
1t was the heirloom that determin-
ed him; and though there was some
talk about an antique watch which
the young lady had forgotten to show
her father being as we'll worth his at
tention as any of the Atherton things,
he hardly listened, but hurried the
ladies out Of the office.
-'Was nothing else said about the
watch ?'' asked Christopher.
"Mr. Collingwood promised to have
a look at II later. ] think, from the
little discussion, 1t was a question OF
some present from a person he didn't
care for and was not interested in;
but, of course. 1t was no affair of mine
and | paid no great attention"
Race waited for no more, but he
got out OF the office as. quickly as he
could with decency. and dashed off
in the direction he had been told t.
| take.
The approaching storm was about
to burst. Purple clouds boiled VI
over the horizon, strange clouds, edg-
ed and veined with copper; and as
Scarlet Runner rushed on, its lamps
| lit for the unnatural darkness, pale
serpents of lightning writhed across
| the heavens. Soon came the first bis
drops of rain, heavy as nail-heads
next, threatening mutter of thunder
which, broke in an explosion of rage
at the end: and a cataract of water
streamed down. as IL the black sky
| were n coarSe-meShed SIEVE.
There was no one of whom he coult
ask the way, but he remembered tha
he had been told to wheel sharp t.
the right at a point where three pop
lars marked a turning; and suddenly
he saw them looming black against thu
| lightning, like three giant soldier!
guarding a shield of steel
| Half mile beyond were the ston,
gateposts with their carved wolves
rampant, for which the agent hat
warned him to look. The gate wa
| closed, and there were no lights IL
the low-built lodge, nor did ANYONE
| come at his call; SO the car must h'
stopped and the gate, which was no
locked, pushed open Nv the tiret
chauffeur
Christopher took Scarlet Runner in
past the lodge. where there was Still