Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-06
CHAPTER xxxIV

Then Mr.. Bones left the station.
He had got all he wanted from
the porter. and possibly a little bit
over.
He walked slowly. The weather
was sultry after the recent storm;
but that was not the reason. You
do not exactly race to a house from
which a caretaker has disappeared,
particularly II you. yourself, r the
next caretaker. The grocer shop
provided a welcome diversion. Mr..
Bones fingered here a whole. The
jolly gentleman had preceded him.
and had Communicated the one and
only assistant In the place. But all
too soon the jolly gentleman had
finished his purchases. and 1t was
Mr.. Bones turn.
what can I do for you?" asked
the shop assistant.
Mr.. Bones might be a man OF
nerves, but he was also a man OF
method. In the train he had drawn
up a list Of necessary provisions.
and he now handed this to the as
Sistant.
I'VE don't keep all those things"
said the assistant.
"P'r'aps you could get the other
things for me-" suggested Mr.. Bones,
and have the mall sent to Coomber
house. It'd be very kind. I'd be
much obliged If you would
What CoOmebr hOuse?" ex-
claimed the shop assistant, much as
the porter had done.
That's right. Coomber house.
I'm the new caretaker there"
The shop assistant was quite a
pleasant young fellow. 1t vas not
his business TO shop at other shops
for his customers, and ordinarily he
would never have consented. But
a caretaker at Coomber house was
an individual who claimed a GER
tain amount of sympathetic treat
ment. Besides II ne did not leave
ID too late-it might be interesting
to call there and have a little peep
at the place, and see how the new
caretaker was settling in. He could
tell his mother about 1t over sup
per.
You mean you want all these
things sent?" temporized the assist
ant.
IF you'd be so good" answered
Mr.. Bones. Il ought TO be getting
on there now. you see"
"All right. Ill see to H." said the
assistant. But i can't get EN- 70
you before seven. See. I don't leave
the shop before then"
Seventh do nicely, thanks" re-
sponded Mr.. Bones. Good AFTER
noon"
Neither Of the men realized that
seven o'clock vas going TO just one
hour too late.
No duty now lay between Mr..
Bones and Coomber house. and. sud-
denly stiffening his back he in
creased his pace and pretended that
Coomber house was as secure as
Windsor castle or Buckingham PAL
ace. The jolly gentleman ambling
along some way behind him, smiled
rather oddly 10 himself.
Presently the station road was
Joined by another road that forked
into II from thevillage. From this
point It became definitely the lower
moor road. Both men avoided the
temptations of the village. and pro-
ceeded towards the old disused
mines. Abruptly. hu6dled against
its hill on the left. rose the grimy
bricks OF the Royal George
Mr.. Bones went on, without even
pausing 10 glance at the Inn. The
jorly man stopped. however. He
knew Mr.. Bones destination Had
not Mr.. Bones mentioned II both
at the station and in the shop? II
ne were further interested In Mr.
Bones. therefore. he could always
find him. Meanwhile the Royal
George offered refreshments. OF
sorts. and was conveniently close.
50 now Mr.. Bones proceeded alone
and completed his journey unob-
served. The garden wall Of Coon
Der house came into view. He walk
ed around its gentle curve, and
paused at the gate.
The gate was closed He leaned
on the gate. and stared &C tia house