Middletown transcript., 1920-08-28
By A. CONAN DOYLE


/. have observed, 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 fol
one moment, my dear Jack" and he
stepped out suddenly through the hole
in tn, wall, so as to be out Of my sight
Butt 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-
cally, as in a signal.
what are you doing?" cried. and
then, running out to his side, looked
across the mOOrs to see whom he was
beckoning to-
/ 'You go too far, sir" said he an
grily; Il didn't thought you would
have gone so far. A gentleman has
the freedom to act as he choose. with
out your being the spy upon him. If
we are to be friends, you must not
interfere in my affairs
said /, land my father would not like
them, either.''
"Your father can speak for himself,
and there is no secret" said he curtly.
1T is you. with your imaginings, that
make a secret. Ia, ia, ia! I have
no patience with such foolishness."
And, without so much as nod, he
turned his back upon me and started
walking swiftly to West Inch.
Well, I followed him, and in the
worst Of tempers, for I had feeling
that there was some mischief in the
wind. and yet could not for the
life Of me think what it all meant.
What could there be to spy about in
Berwickshire. And besides, Major El-
lott knew all about him, and he
would not show him such respect if
there was anything amiss.
I had just got as far as this in
my thoughts when I heard CHEEKY
hail, and there was the major him.
self, coming down the hill from his
house, with his big bulldog, Bounder,
held in leash. This dog was savage
creature, and had caused more than
one accident on the countryside, but
the major was very fond of it. and
would never 60 out without it, though
he kept it tied with good, thick
thong of leather. Well, just as was
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 its two red
eyes, cried out, "Bounder! Bounder!"
at the pitch of my lungs. 1t had
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 ran as fast as
my feet would carry me to drag it
away from him. But somehow. as
it 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 its
thumb of a tail and clawing at his
knee.
"Your dog, then, major?" said he,
as its owner came hobbling up. "Ah,
it is fine beast-a fine, pretty thing"
The major was blowing hard, for
he had covered the ground nearly as
fast as l had.
Il was afraid lest he might have
hurt you," he panted.
'Ta, ia, tai" cried De Lapp. HE
is pretty, gentle thing. I always
love the dogs. But I am glad that
1 have met you, major. for there is
this young gentleman, to whom owe
very much, who has begun to think
that am spy. Is it not so, Jacky
was so taken aback by his words
that could not lay my tongue to an
answer, but colored up and looked
askance, like the awkward country
lad that was.
"You know me, major" said De
Lapp; "and I am sure that you will
tell him that this could not be-"
mo, no, Jack! Certainly not = Ger
tainly mott" cried the major.
,'"Thank you," said De Lapp. ..'You
know me, and you do me justice. And
yourself, hope that you will soon
have your regiment given you."
Il am well enough" answered the
major; ''but they will never give me
q place unless there is war, and there
will be no more war in my time"
"Oh you think that?'' said De Lapp,
with smile. "Well, nous verrons.
We shall see, my friend!" 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 it was that had me
think that he was a spy. When I
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.