The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-10-23

through. And because Drummond had
been trained in the school which no
tees details, even apparently trivial
oreS he stood for moment or two
staring at the fence, after he had
clambered through. 1t was the ex-
pense Of the thing more than anything
else that puzzled him. 1t was new
that was obvious, and after while, he
proceeded to walk along it for a short
way. And another peculiar thing
struck him when he came to the first
upright. 1t was an iron T-shaped post,
and each strand of wire passed through
a hole in the bottom part of the T. A
perfectly simple and sound arrange
ment, and, but for one little point, just
the type Of upright, one would have
expected to find iii such fence.
Round every hole was a small white
collar, through which each strand of
wire passed, so that the wires rested
on the collars, and not on the holes in
the iron upright. Truly a most re-
markable fence, he reflected again
in fact, thoroughly eccentric fence.
But he got no farther than that in his
thoughts; the knowledge which would
have supplied him with the one clue
necessary to account for that fences
eccentricity of appearance was not his
The facts he could notice; the reason
for the facts was beyond him. And
after further examination he
shrugged his shoulders and gave it up.
There were bigger things ahead of him
than mere question of fencing, and,
keeping in the shadow of the shrubs
which fringed each side of the drive,
he crept silently toward the house.
1t was low, rambling type of build
ing covered as far as he could see
with ivy and creepers. There were
only two stories, and Hugh nodded
his satisfaction. 1t made things SIM
pier when outside work was more
than likely. For along time he stood
carefully surveying every possible line
of approach and flight, and it was
while he was balancing up chances
that he gradually became aware of a
peculiar noise proceeding from the
house. 1t sounded like the very faint
hum of ain airplane in the far distance,
except that every two or three sec
onds there came a slight thud. It
was quite regular, and during the four
or five minutes whilst he stood there
listening there was no variation in the
monotonous rhythm. Thud: thud !:
thud-faint, but very distinct; and all
the time the gentle whirring Of some
smooth-running, powerful engine.
The house was in darkness save for
one room on the ground floor, from
which the light was streaming. 1t
was empty, and appeared to be an or
binary sittingroom. And, as a last
resort, Hugh decided he would go in
that way, if outside methods failed.
But to start with he had no intention
Of entering the house; it struck him
that the odds against him were unnec-
essarily large.
He retreated still farther into the
shadow, and then quite clear and dis
tinct the boot of an owl was heard in
the silent garden. He knew that
Phyllis would recognize the call if she
heard it; he knew that she would give
him some sign If she could. And so
he stood and waited, eagerly watching
the house for any sign of movement.
But none came, and after pause of
half minute he hooted again Of
course 1t was possible that she was
In room facing the other way, and
he had already planned his line of ad-
vance round to the back Of the house.
And then, just as he was preparing to
skirt round and investigate he saw
the curtains of one of the upper rooms
shake and open slightly. Very family
he repeated the call, and to his joy
he saw head polled through be-
tween them. But he was taking no
chances, and it was impossible to tell
to whom the head belonged. It might
be Phyllis, and on the other hand it
might not. So once again he repeated
the call, barely above his breath, and
then he waited for some answer.
1t came almost at once; his own
name called very gently, and he hest
tated no more. He was across the
lawn in fash and standing under
her window. and once again he heard
her voice tense with anxiety.
SIS that you, Hugh?"
'Yes, darling, it's me right enough"
he whispered back. But there's no
time to talk now. want you to jump
onto the flower-bed. It's soft landing,
and it won't hurt you"
"But I can't, old man." she said,
with little catch in her breath
They've got me dashed up with a
steel chain"
"All right, kid; if you can't come to
me, must come to you. Wen soon
deal with that chain"
He glanced into the room under
meath hers and saw that 1t looked like
a drawing-room. The windows seemed
easy to force If necessary, but he de-