New Britain herald., 1929-09-05

FELL IliiS Btth
 Although one o'clocl; had passed before We got back to Woodcot, J.axton Was up bright and early Monday morning, and greatly pleased my mother by finding her in the garden and loving her roses. They had become excellent friends by the time l strolled down to breakfast.
 T want 10 go down this morning and see the diggincs,' IaXton an nounccd later. Don't worry about coming with me. I'd still like to he anonymous till vc meet this after noon"
 About Il o'clock the idea oc- cured to mo that I would look up Veronica. She might have gomo- thing to say this morning. At Standpoint, however, l saw only Mrs. Seabroka, wno told me Neroni- ca mad returned unexpectedly last night, being tempted home by he fine weather. At present she had taken the dog for run around the point: if I was walking that way might meet her.
 walked on around the point where the road became path IIong the low cliffs facing the Channel.
 saw Veronica at some distance and pulled up sharp. She stood talking to a man. I had just time to notice that he was too tall O be either Royle CT Scmcrfiold. In a moment he ha seen me. stopped and disappeared. Veronica saw me and walked not towards me, but away.
 l turned back on my tracks. The hint was so obvious.
 It was not F2ll. Perhaps Ncroni- ca had not recognized me. Well, that "as that.
 Shortly before the appoiHted hour of Fothcrbury's meeting walked into the avenue where that fantas- tic scene had been played the night before. Directed by a foounan, I went to the beautiful house which the sixteenth century Bodslades ] ad spread around one of the old buildings.
 At the entrance mother iootman met me and took ne at once along vaulted corridor to the room Fotherbury used IS a library. The light here was dim to eyes coming from the sunshine outside, for the only windows, small high in the walls and almost at the roof, were filled with painted glass.
 I made out four persons in the room-MarlinE, Dr. East!ey, Eoylo and Somerfield.
 Marlin5 looked ID and nodded. The two boys said in low tones, "How do. Grcnofrn 9" l sat down opposite Royle. Narlings face ab- sorbed me. He, was paIer than usual. His black tonsure stood out almost fierccly against the pallor Of his skim lis eyes seemed 10 avoid me Ha sat motionlc.s on an old black chest or the right Of the fireplace, with Eastloy on a chair facing him.
 In ether circumstances I should have enjoyed the beauty Of this r. markable room tho rich shadows in the wagon roof. the gleam of th, leather bindings of .hc books ar- raycd in shelves all around the low er half Of tho walls. l. was all oll quiet, mysterious: the one mol. ern' touch was supplied by a wal telephone a' the side ot the hearth
 But th" human interest cf the cc- caSjon put csthrtjcs ont Of mind and almost at once that intcresr was intensified by tho entrance 0, Saahrche. ije came iu uoiHI} enough, calling out 10 Murliug What's jt all aaou,e Why ain> We on the eround?"
 T know no'hing." said Marling "eXcept that 1Ir. Fo,herlury wlshy. us to meet here"
 The commander m1Io an martlc ulatc noise registering disapproyaL
 "I suppose, said he. "ro,har bury's found out that thr hHghtu Icll's little gamo's up. What""
 And then fiJly enough S,abroli. was the first 10 s.r Roger p,II com, into the room. We all stared a Fell. I expect l was tho I.a.t Sur rrised of tho party. A for hIm. hi demeano" wa~ remarkable. WHo the fooimau had closed lho aoo~ b., hind him. he advanced 10 tlu lon. table, took d. rhar .uI @r daui as though ho were alone in th room,
 had a momoarary Haruls. |. get up and hoII on, my hand t him, but l caught a alut Of inc in tense gray eyes and saw in tnom hostile light which killed my i'm pulse. This Was q Pel had no known.
 l sent q furtiye look at tho aco Of the others. SomorfIcld's aIon showed any composure. Royl frowncd; Marlius seemed aston ished almost to the point Of trclu Hing. The doctor simply roggIc, Soabroko seemed ready 10 burst.
 They must all have been led h Narling 10 suppose that I,U ha fled from rhe prospect Of meotiu with Professor IaNtou.
 A queer rroIud" to q scance 0 Roman antiquities,
 To this taaie7u of seven men the pose Of potrfaction came ou host. all uncon~cious, apparent. Of any special strain. He wake in quickly and said
 Good afternoon, gentlemen. Al my dear pell, here you are. Ha anybody seen pao."ssor LaNton You haven't sean him this aftel noon, 9lr. Grcnofen?"