The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-17

lighting the hall behind him"
He made a vague gesture, lifting
one Of his hands softly from the
arm Of the chair.
Here, monsieur, chance or my
intelligence failed me. II ! had re.
manned a moment-if, in fact, l had
looked back as went down tbs
stairway at the end OF the hall. j
should have seen Lord Winton's
assasSin."
The Project OF Police made NO
comment, and Lord Valleys contln.
after some little difficulty, l q.
nally found the door OF the wine.
cellar, opened It and entered. I,
was very old-one Of those huge
stone cells which the early English
built in their houses in which to
store the choice wines OF France.
1T seemed to me that this wine.
cellar had not been entered in a
long time. l WAS mistaken IN this
Impression. Fortunately for me. II
had, from time 10 time, been looked
Into by Lord Winton's manseryant
l have said fortunately because
this manservant. Staley, was able
to confirm my statement.
The whole OF the low vault was
cluttered with straw, piled and
heaped with It, like a farmers rick
1t was this aspect OF the place thai
gave me the impression that It had
not been entered for long time,
And It was true It had not been
disturbed for 4 long time. The
walls and the floor OF this eallaf
were stone; the ceiling was OF wood
crossed with beams dried out like
finder. and the bins, as l have said
were heaped with the straw In
which innumerable wine.cases had
been packed.
Lord Winton had described the
wine which he wished so that
could not mistake It. But he was
not certain In which bin 1t was h
be found. and / had to make 4
search Of very nearly the whole d
the cellar. This did not disturb mo
for Lord Winton had fixed an hour
as tho length OF the visit OF tho
person whom he expected. and who
In fact, had arrived. And I yPt
not to return until that time. II
was, as nearly as can determine
about eleven o'clock Of the might
when went down the steps to the
wine-cellar."
The man remained silent a mo
ment as II in some contemplation
Finally he continued:
An unfortunate accident occur
red. In rising from a bin over which
l had been STOPPED, the candle
touched a wisp Of straw hanging
from above, and Immediately In
died-out, half rotten wood Of The
beamed ceiling flashed into flame :
He paused again.
u was appalled,, but l did no,
lose my sense OF necessity. I nm
deEtook to put the fire out. l made
desperate effort against II. therf
IN that underground cell, for ! kne a
the house must burn IL this whole
wood ceiling took fire. The place
filled with smoke. II became YER,
nearly impossible to breathe, but
did not give up the fight aEainsI
the fire. Finally when / was blind
ed. choked and very nearly uncon
scious, broke open the door lead
ing from the basement OF the house
and ran out Into the street. h
seemed that should never breathe
and l continued to run.
"You know what followed. I wa,
taken up by one Of the metropolitan
police; the burning house was en-
tered, and Lord Winton brought
ont. He was dead! The small blade
Of knife had been driven into
his body low down on the righi
side. The wound, ranging upward
was deep. It had severed a Vita
artery"
Tho final lnstallment Of thI,
thrilling mystery will appear In Out
next issue.