Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-07
BY J.JEFFERsoN FARJEoN

ments which may actually raise the
dead in this very room-I advise
you. speaking as one human being
to another, MFR Bones-to return to
Newcastle and give up the job"
Il couldn't do that" replied Mr..
Bones. Why, then there'd be no
careaker here at all"
"H'm-the house has got along
very nicely without one for a week"
Perhaps 1t has. sir. but it's not
my business to"
"And the last caretaker. as maybe
you know. did not finish his engage
ment. He-disappeared!"
Mr.. Bones made no comment. but
the eyes Of both men rested for an
instant on the cupboard door.
Suppose you disappear. too. Mr..
Bones?" suggested Simon Brill,
watching him with a cynical smile.
We'll. I'm not disappearing yet"
retorted the new caretaker, none too
happily.
That Is fairly Obvious agreed
Brill. Il can't help wondering what
happened to the last caretaker.
though-and whether history will
repeat itself. After I have gone, and
when you r alone here"
Brill's tone was not pleasant. MI.
Bones received a strong impression
that the old man was deliberately
trying 10 brighten him away. And
suddenly Brill laughed, and held up
his hand.
"Listenl" he said.
Mr.. Bones was listening. The
ground whispered beneath him. Or
was 1t. after all. his imagination7
Floors couldn't whisper. really. 1t
was just the old mans tone, and
the old mans eyes-unpleasant.
piercing eyes, that bored right
through into your heart-tha we're
playing on his nerves, causing him
to think things. Though. Of course,
Mr.. Bones was well aware that .
Boomi
Now the ground shook. Then ST.
lence.
Not very pleasant" observed ST.
mon Brill. after q pause. And IL
it's unpleasant now-how much less
less pleasant when you are alone
without even an irritating old gen.
tleman like me to talk to? The
shadows will grow longer. the sun
will sink, darkness will fall -. There
listen again"
"Ah, but that was thunder, that
time" exclaimed Mr.. Bones.
Simon Brill glanced towards the
window, through which could be
seen a great, dark cloud with
sprayed. finger-like edges. lie nod
ded.
Yes, It was thunder" he agreed.
And more thunder viii follow, !
should say. So a storm will be add
ed to the pleasures Of your visit. Mr..
Bones. Thunder above, and thun-
der below"
Look herel- cried MFR. Bones.
abruptly, what's all this about? III
you think you're going to brighten
me off, you're mistaken, so therel"
Brill looked at the excited little
man coolly.
Unless you maintain control Of
your nerves. Mr.. Bones. you will
brighten yourself away he said.
why should I want to brighten you
away?"
Yes. that's what I want TO knowl"
But you don't know. And nor do
I. I arm merely trying to ave you
from a very unpleasant experience
q very unpleasant experience. Mr.
Bones. The storm about you won't
harm you. though 1t won't add TO
your comfort. But the-the storm
underground"
He shrugged his shoulders and.
turning. walked slowly TO the win
dow. Was he going? Mr.. Bones
hoped so. II must be getting on
for threel And. az three
But Brill paused at the window.
and turned back to the new care
taker again.
What do you think that BOOM
ing sound Tsp" he asked. suddenly.
Waves" retorted MFR. Bones. dog
gedly. That's all"
You feel quite sure OF that7"
yes. Dead miners, indeed Who
ever heard Of such q thing7"
You seem to have. my friend"
murmured Simon Brill, suddenly
leaving the window and drawing
closer. so the booming has moth