Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1925-09-26

the window. Ara wa 0o0p"''h' "'
do those jobs yourself without Gaining
in help from the town.
Il could fix the lock attfaxh." OA
the keeper. II aint - sure ab3oe
the bars. Seemingly. 81 DuMeZ,
your guest isn't one that will taee
much exercise?"
None at ALL was the caxt re-
joinder. What about the o>rs.
then?'
|. Grimes walked 70 The dias>ond-
paned window and locked down. "Un
less the party has got wings there
amt no bars needed" be said. ITS
plumb drop into The mill race. No
foothold for ladder. and anyone as
jumped would be drowned for sure"
Sir Dudley by personal Inspection
confirmed the statement. Though The
mill itself. was rotten The artificial
channel that had furnished power I"
the derelict wheel was as deep and
strong as ever. The best Of swim
mers would have been hard put to 1t
to stem the current without being
swept into the wrecked wheel.
I'VE will let the bars 60" he said.
1.-THE risk will be less than having
them made and fitted by gossipins
blacksmith. Now. as to second
guest chamber. Grimes. 1t may not
have to be occupied. and it need not
have the modest comforts am pro-
viding for this. Is there any place
where a gentleman who Is not very
friendly to me can be accommo'
dated?"
The stolid face of the keeper yield.
ed no sign.
There is the old gram store, on
the ground floor of the mill. SIR he
replied. Its got no window and it's
swarming with rats, but 1t would
hold anyone as could put up with the
damp"
"show it to me-" Sir Dudley COM
manded.
They descended the stairs. and.
passing into the mill proper. came to
a truly gruesome place, veritable
dungeon reeking with foul odors and
echoing the lap Of the mill'race
against it's outer walls, Sir Dudley
lit a succession of matches and
peered round.
This will do" he said. Better
put 4 new lock here. too. Now when
can YOU be ready. Grimes?"
II ought to have three days, sir"
You can have them, and you will
get due notice before the place is
wanted"
Sir Dudley strolled into the foot
path leading to the Grange. and John
Grimes, a sour smile on his lips.
turned to close the/outer door or the
mill. Then the keeper made his way
10 the bank above the weir and start
ed to recross the shallower stream by
way of the stepping-stones. He was
about half way over when the shrill
voices of women drew his gaze T.
his cottage door.
That stern task-mistress his angu-
lar wife. the only being under the
stars Of whom he stood in dread, was
embracing and volubly chattering to
a fashionably dressed widow lady.
the freshness Of whose weeds" be-
spoke her bereavement as recent.
John Grimes lifted one hand to
shade his eyes.
Damned if that wilder woman
amt our Sally"
CHAPTER XIV
The Empty Drawer
MISS MAUD BLAIR approached
N the great front door Of Beech
wood Grange with some diff
dence.
Recognition by Sir Dudley had no
terrors for her. The present baronet
had succeeded to the estates after
her departure for fresh fields of con-
quest. During his rare visits in Sir
Philips time when he was plain Mr..
Dudley Glenister. she had never
CHANGED to meet him.
Old Hinkley, the butler. who would
probably open the door to her, was q
different proposition. He mad been
familiar with her from childhood and
she remembered that he was a
shrewd observer.
With the idea of getting 1t over.
as one makes a dash for the dentists
knocker, she took the last few steps
almost at a run and pulled the old
fashioned bell.chain hard. The pom.
derous door slid back on well-oiled
hinges and Hinkley Of the pink fac
and white whiskers confronted her
CTo Be Continued