The Connecticut labor press., 1920-08-28
By A. CONAN DOYLE


have observed, I have very much in. terest for all that has to do with the military, and of course castles are among them. You will excuse me for one moment, my dear Jack,. and he stepped out suddenly through the hole in the wall, so as to be out of my sight.
 But I was very much too curious | to excuse him so easily. I shifted my ground swiftly, to see what it was that he was after. He was standing outside. and waving his hand franti- calIyysas in a signal
 What are you doing?" cried, and l then, running out to his side, I looked I across the noors to see whom he was beckoning to.
 You go too far, sir," said he an- l grfly I didn't thought you would have gone so far. A gentleman has, out your being the spy upon him. If we are to be friends, you must not interfere in my affairs
 T don't like these secret doings," said I. land my father would not like them. either"
 Your father can speak for himself, and there is no secret" said he curtly. Tt is you, with your imaginings. that make a secret. Ia, ta,. tal have no patience with such foolishness." And. without so much as a nod, he turned his back upon me and started walking swiftly to West Inch. We'll, I followed him, and fin the worst of tempers, for I had feeling that fhoro uvo 8Sop,o .v,,icobfof in flna wind, and yet could not for the. life of me think what 1t all meant. What could there be to spy about in Berwickshire. And besides, Major El- liott knew all about him, and he would not show him such respect if there was anything amiss.
 had just got as far as this in my thoughts when I heard a cheery hail, and there was the major him. self, coming down the hill from his house. with his big bulldog, Founder, held in leash. This dog was a savage creature, and had caused more than one accident on the countryside, but the major was very fond Of it. and would never go out without it, though he kept it tied with good, thick
 
 looking at the major, waiting for him to come up. he stumbled with his lame leg over a branch of gorse, and in recovering himself he let go his hold of the leash, and in an instant there was the beast of dog flying down the hillside in my direction
 I did not like it, I can tell you, for there was neither stick nor stone about, and I knew that the brute was dangerous. As it came at me with bristling hair and it's nose screwed back between it's two red eyes, cried out, Founder! Bounder !" it's effect, for the beast passed me with a snarl, and flew along the path on the traces of Bonaventure de Lapp.
 He turned at the shouting, and seemed to take in the whole thing at a glance, but he strolled along as slowly as ever My heart was in my mouth for >him, for the dog had never seen him before, and I ran as fast as my feet would carry me to drag it away from him. But somehow. as 1t bounded up and saw the twittering finger and thumb which De Lapp held out behind him, it's fury died suddenly away, and we saw it wagging it's thumb of a tail and clawing at his knee
 Your dog, then, rnajor?" said he, as it's owner came hobbling up. "Ah, it is fine beast-a fine, pretty thing"
 The ma jor was blowing hard, for he had covered the ground nearly as fast as I had.
 .T was afraid lest he might have hurt you," he panted.
 "Ta, ta, ta!.' cried De Lapp. ssHe is pretty, gentle thing. I always love the dogs. But am glad that I have met you, major, for there is this young gentleman, to whom owe very much, who has begun to think that I am spy. Is it not so. Jack P
 I was so taken aback by his words that could not lay my tongue to an answer, but co1ored up and looked askance, like the awkward country lad that I was.
 You know me, major" said De Lapp; ''and I am sure that you will tell him that this could not be-
 "No, no, .Jackl Certainly not! Ger tainly not P cried the major.
 Thank you," said De Lapp. "You know me, and you do me justice. And yourself, I hope that you will soon have your regiment given you"
 1T am well enough" answered the major; "but they will never give mes a place unless there is war, and there will be no more war in my time."
 sOh you think that?'' said De Lapp. with a smile. ''Well, nous verrons. We shall see, my friendi" He whisked off his hat, and turning briskly, he walked off in the direction of West Inch. The major stood looking after him with thoughtful eyes, and then asked me what 1t was that had me think that he was a spy. When Il told him he said nothing, but he shook his head, and looked like a man who | was i'll at ease in his mind.
 CHAPTER VIII.