Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-18
THE GXDED MAN
Nv CLIFFORD SUYTH

features. In the twilight he seemed dark 10
me- although not so dark as the average
indian And yet. allowing for the twilight,
he ertainly was not a white man"
But what happened?" urged Leighton,
He appeared surprised at seeing me- And
then he smiled. approached to where / was
standing, and waved sort OF salutation to
me. think lie may have muttered some
woids. either of invitation or friendly greet
inc, But If he did. it was not in English,
nor in Spanish"
He, at least. was not agitated It seemst
hut AS YOU were afflicted with more than the
HsuaI amount of timidity. | suppose you
avoided him."
assure YOU, sir that soon as l saw
ms person. | felt no further fear There
was nothing threatening in his manner And
IL hashed through my mind that he could
give me some Information about Mr.. Meudon
observed that he beckoned me TO him-and
a. he did so | followed
Well
THAT was the singular part Of it. There
was every reason why should not go with
hIm-at least. not without first notifying
Doctor Miranda. But this strange being
smiled so pleasantly and seemed so friendly
mat my feeling of nervousness pa assed away.
and ! was eager to go with him. This
did. Apparently he retraced his steps. Lead
ing me along tho shore of little inlet to
the lake until we reached high wall OF
rock that | had not particularly noticed be-
fore. Here he stopped and looked at me.
sun smiling. AS if to make sure that l was
following him"
DO YOU think you could identify this wall
Of rock If YOU were to see it again." asked
kaoul Arthur, speaking for the first time.
II sure I could" said Andrew, "because
we stood in front of it for some time, this
strange person in the toga passing his hs nd
over its surface while I wondered what he
was going to do next noticed that it was
a very high and blank wall indeed"
Where was Il 80
Just next TO the cutting that Doctor
Miranda had told me was made by the Span
iards to drain The lake"
II did not see this wall" expostuated
Miranda. You are in one dream
Never mind" snapped Leighton; go on
with your story.
II am afraid you will believe me less than
ever" said Andrew deprecatingly. But /
am only telling what am certain / saw"
Go on.
AS he passed his hand over the surface
or the wall he gradually turned to one side
until we stood before cleft in the
rocks"
1T is not there" interrupted Miranda
contemptuously. II examine all this rock.
1t has no--what you call?--ceft." ~
81 am very sorry, Sir but I know that
there - such cleft. ! think that is what
YOU would call it. You might easily have
onenine in the rock. facing away from the
take and reaching up not more than about
three feet from the ground"
II remember it," declared RaouL
Pray go on with your story, Mr..
Parmeee." Leighton commanded.
There is not much more to tell. although
the little that remains is quite the most
extra ordinary part of il. Pausing an instant
before this opening in the rock, my strange
guide crouched down until he was able TO
pass within il. beckoned me to follow him,
and then disappeared"
The schoomaster spoke with difficulty,
hesitatinR every now and then for the word
that would best express what had happened,
Having plunged into his story. however, he
went bravely on. gaining courage as hS .e-
called his singular experience. and impr6 ~
ing those who heard him with the sinceriks
| if not the truth. of the narrative. OF all his
auditors Raoul. apparently, followed him
with the closest attention. His attitude,
| indeed, seemed TO indicate a belief, on his
| part, in Andrews statements
tt ToMORpnwl