Evening star., 1920-03-07


me if you like--it caused strange
thrill Of fear that made my heart
tremble. was standing in thick
shadow so that he did not see me.
But fancy he had heard my ap-
proach, for he took a step forward,
lowering his head and peering from
side to side. I simply cannot account
for the sensation almost OF terror
which ] experienced; but ! will con-
fess the abs,.rd dread which at that
time chilled my blood; it was that
Oswald was dead, and that the pallid,
frozen countcnancc which ] saw was
that OF his phantom. ! edged away
out of sight and returned home feel
ing ill.,, wcll-nigh hysterical."
Miss Wildrave was so moved by the
recollection that Tredways directed
his eyes elsewhere. They rested upon
the bizarre painting which | have
mentioned. and remained there, stead
lily regarding it. This also seemed the
face of man without life. Was it
possible that he was connecting the
two: think so. for he was on the
point of raising himself from his
chair when Miss Wildrave continued.
my nerves were so unstrung that
night at dinner" she went on, that
my uncle noticed it, He asked blunt
ly if had seen Oswald. Not knowing
just what answer to make l stam-
mered something unintelligible. Fl"
redeemed, looked exceedingly angry.
and guessed from the sudden snap
of his jaws that he meant to take
action. The next evening, after dusk.
H. Il ,r
park. He was aware of our former
trysting place. and l was certain that
he was going to meet Oswald. l
stayed in the house Il prey to n SER
sation of extraordinary uneasiness.
He came back an hour later, and I
saw that something had happened.
He was in a condition Of extreme
agitation which he tried to hide from
me; but what he could conceal still
less was the livid mark of d welt
right across the forehead. He said no
word. I longcd--oh, so much to ask
him what had happened. But l dared
not The glitter in his eyes warned
me to keep silent. That is what l set
out to tell you, Mr.. Tredways. Put
upon it what construction you like"
Tredways bent his gaze to the car
pet For a long time he was silent.
Presently he got up and the action
brought him face to face with that
forbidding piece of savage art upon
the wall. He paused to regard it in
an absent, mechanical fashion, but he
appeared to become gradually inter-
estcd.
Have you a magnfying lens
hn he irnllCr1 watched
him wonderingly.
Miss Wildrave produced one from a
drawer. With it he minutely exam
ined. the painting. Then he crossed
over to the window and stood for a
long ;4ime looking down at the bal
cont, during which we said TO word.
Then back he returned pulling u small
pocket knife from his vest pocket.
ALLOW Inc to make a small operation
here" said he. IL shall not injure the
painting itself
With the point of the blade he probed
into the iibrous material. using the
utmost care. Quite five minutes elapsed
before he gave us his attention.
These queer charact rs inscribed be
low this repulsivc drawing. what do they
convey" he asked.
Miss Wildravc shook her head. u
have no idea"
"It is a sample of Malayan painting. l
think you said?''
Yes: so that the inscription is prob
ably in some dialect Of that language"
ut scarcely matters" said Tredways,
thoughtiuly.
But If you care to know" added the
other with a touch of hesitation. there
is student of medicine. a prrtegc of
my poor uncle. who might enlighten
YOU. His English name is Edwa rdes.
Prof Branderwine brought him from,
! believe, the interior OF the 4aennsula
when boy. He is not II full blooded
native. He was drvotedly attached to
my uncle. his benefactor. who had great
faith in his gifts. Would you ,are for
his address"
NO, it is not material" answered
Tredways, thoushtfully. He meant what
he said. | was sure, but as he spoke he
kept curious sideways glance upon
Miss Wildravc. She showed relief at
his reply. Thought, Il certain relaxing
of tension in her, mobile face and
troubled eyes.
'Stil,. l might take . note Of it,
added Yredways On relessly