Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-07
CHAPTER XXXV

During the supremely uncomfor-
table moment that followed, Mr..
Bones had one consolation, If one
only. The old man who abruptly
confronted him at the foot Of the
stairs seemed hardy less astoniShed
at the meeting than himself.
But the old man was the first 10
recover his compoSure. He recovered
it rapidly, as though compoSure
were a necessity that should never
be relinquished for more than q sec
ond. while the new caretaker was
still gaping at him.
Pardon me. sir. but where did
you spring from?"demanded Brill,
The question came crisply and
sharply, and the crispness and the
sharpness, although they alarmed
Mr.. Bones. helped to bring him
around.
~Come 10 that-where did you
spring from?" ne mumbled in re-
ply.
where did I spring from?" snap
ped the old man. I'm not con-
WINGED yet that where I came from
Is any concern of yours You will
allow. at any rate, that / asked the
question first-and I am still wait
ing TO hear the answer"
Mr.. Bones thought. He decided
to be discreetly informative.
Il came from upstairs" he said.
Upstairs, eh?"
Yes"
"And what were you doing up
stars?"
Mr.. Bones thought again. This
old man had no right to croSs-ex-
anime him. Sometimes, however, II
is difficult 10 enforce the law OF
rights. Still Mr.. Bones put up q
bit Of a fight.
Il don see what that's to do with
you" he remarked.
well, perhaps I dol"
yes, sir. You seem to. But
come to that. what Is 1t to do with
you? Is this your house?"
Nj. Bones was becoming bold. The
old man frowned heavily at him.
mo, 1t is not my house-in the
sense you imply" he retorted. But
Is IL yours?"
mo. sir. Just the same. I've O
right to be here"
Whats your right?"
I'm the new caretaker."
This information momentarily sill
enced Mr.. Simon Brill. He took q
step forward, and peered more close
ly into the others face. The heavi-
ness OF the frown increased.
New caretaker?" he muttered. at
last. I didn't know there were go
ing to be any more caretakers."
IF the house isn't yours. sir" Mr.,
Bones pointed out. battling bravely
on. how would you kn0w?"
Does IL strike you that you are
being confoundedly impertinent2"
mo sir. What strikes me Is this
1t strikes me that, as I'm the care
taker, I've a right TO ask you to an
sv'er my question, IL you please. II
I'm the caretaker, I s'pose it's my
duty to take care Of the house
IF you're the careakerl"
well. come 70 that. I can show
you that I am" retorted Mr.. Bones,
and suddenly produced his letter
from Messrs. Spriggs and Spriggs. 81
was engaged this morning. and I've
Just come from Newcastle. That's
right. You'll read 1t all there"
Brill took the letter and read It,
then handed 1t back.
"Of course. sir, If you've come TO
look over the house?" suggested Mr..
Bones. after a pause.
well, that Is an idea, isn't it?"
answered Brill. sarcastically.
Yes. sir. Can't / see your Order
to View'2n
III seemed for a moment as though
Simon Brill were going to lose his
temper. but again his philosophy Of
composure came to his aid. and in
stead Of flying into a rage he flew
abruptly TO the other extreme. and
smiled almost sympathetically.
II have nc order to view. MI"
Bones" ~interposed the new care
taker. rather quickly. Ernest
Bones
Thank you. Mr.. Bones" replied
Brill. mo I have no order to view.
But I am here in the interests Of
psychic research. and as I propose
conducting some rather exhaustive
experiments here tonight-experi-