The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-03-15
b w lIsasss Martyss

ed him. Il should sneer ifabOlical-
iy, and ask you to name the rib UNI
der which you would like my rapier
to co." He lighted cigarette. "Why
| did you ask me to Gomez"
$40 discuss your Aunt Selma"
"EIow the devil did you know /
had an Aunt Selma? She was great
lgrandaunf, playmate Of Martha
Washington. II the family history is
Correct"
II didn't. know it. Look here, Bill
-Dina's all upset about some merry
spirits who have been trying to
| brighten me away from Pine Plains.
Do you admit coming here and pre-
tending to he Miss Selenos. who hated
and despised me above all men, an0
| pinned her faith on dogs?"
Zone of us is crazy" replied Bill
Pelham "At the time you say | was
here. a dozen men will prove that !
| was in Chicago. | have played prac-
teal jokes. and hope to again, II
live; but KNOW nothing Of this. Tell
me all."E
Handy described not only his ex-
| perience hut that Of Adolf Smoker.
| You can count Reggie out. too"
Pelham declared. "He's at the bank
i ers' convention in Baltimore. These
two people may be fakes, hut Reggie
and I are innocent. Silly sort OF
stories to tell!"
That's what Dina said"
/ rs she worried?''
"Just little Nothing. physical
can scare her, but she takes funny
! psychological excursions. She was
reading an English book on Haunted
i Houses when left"
sThere are such things" Pelham
/ said, gravely. "Glamis castle. for
/ one. and the house where the Wess
leys lived. don't know enough to
i lisbelieye Look here, Hil-we've
got Ito gel to the bottom of this. !"
I what do you suggest r.
'Ive got a clear day. I'll inter
j view the man you bought the place
1 from. and find out about past ten
| ants. Also, Ill see II there was a
4 Selenos family holding land grants in
4 California. I'll probably drop in af-
ter dinner Where are you off TOT"
\ concluded Pelham. as Handy reached
for his hat.
| "Pine Plains. Junior is motoring
me up. I'll be back by dinner time.
/ with luck. Anyhow, wait for me,
{e got to see about another cure
saq "a "a a sr;qpass for the burial ct
fy'iSsfr. Not cent was found on him.
/ and It seems that he has no rela.
| ti0ns. Il feel responsible, in a way.
Junior seems 10 think that he's going
| to be Sherlock Holmes. to the cha.
| grin and confusion of the Pine Plains
| police
sThere is no such thing as a mean
ingless crime" Pelham remarked.
Junior may be of some help"
Il hope so. II want to clear up
/ everything, so that Dina and Celia
WON'T have chance. to feel nervous.
Dina has vague idea that the cOun-
/ try Is dangerous She was raised in
Cleyelands most select residential dis
1 trict. and has always lived In cities
Il I'm wild man from the Housatonic
feud country, and the idea of. tramps
doesn't give me thrill at oil"
IF know Dina," Bill said thought
fully, .sliell be less worried about
tramps than she will about any reput
ed curse on the place. Like many
of those highly strung women, she's
specifically sensitive. If all these
tragedies happened there. she's
bound to hear of them, You've al
ready had murder on your front
lawn"
That's not serious" Hanby re
turned "Some wandering yegg killed
the poor fellow for his savings"
II wish sou hadn't sent. that Sci
enos woman off without getting more
particulars from her. You calmly
shut all avenues of information"
| .Her manner was so Internally in
sulting. Bill You know I'm not the
sort of man to be told that must
sell the house I've selected as a home
/ after inspecting hundreds of places.
The poor old thins was crazy"
"lNhat about Smucker?"
"IIooch talked there Smokers
not too well balanced, either"
i Bill Pelham shook his head.
Il don't like it." he said.
(TO BE cONTINUED.)