Evening star., 1935-09-01

darkness.
Dunstan said it was one of the worst bliz-
yards he had ever known. If the snow con-
tinued to fall throughout the night, he
assured me dismally. the roads in the glen
would be blocked by morning. The wind was
making eerie noises around the gables and
turrets of the house. and it was with COM
Portable sigh that finished glass of my late
grandfather vintage port, lit cigar, and
settled down in deep armchair before fire
of blazing logs. There was no electric light in
Falcon Castle; half dozen tall candles on
the table made mellow glow in the oak
panelled dining-room.
1t was the first time had been inside my
grandfather door - indeed the first time
had been in the Highlands of Scotland -
and everything was new to me. II | had been
of a ianciiul turn OF mind, dares4y the
atmosphere of that lonely old house at the
foot of mountain would have made me feel
uncomfortable especially since | was by
myself, with Dunstan and his wife the only
two servants in the place.
The dining room door opened, and the
short elderly figure of Dunstan himself
paused on the threshold.
Have you quite finished. sro" he asked,
and began to remove the dessert.
Sorry, Dunstan i forgot to ring for
you" said. mo, thank you; won't have
any cognac."
The master was very fond of his cognac
after dinner, sir" the manservant ventured to
remark, his rather mournful eyes looking at
me in mild reproach. For a man of seventy
five, it occurred to me that my grandfather -
the late Felix Swinburn seemed to have
done himself we'll in food and wine. The cook
ing was really admirable and the burgundy
without fault.
Dunstan set a thin glass goblet on tray
ana terderiy placed beside it a dusty bottle.
Perhaps you may care for little cognac
later on, sir, he murmmed, and then glanced
toward the curtained window. It's bitter
night outside. When we get snow-storm like
this in March, it S usually bad - very bad 49,.
Is there anything more you would like? Very
good, sir. At what hour do you wish break
fast ~
And then he turned with a start. The
dining-room door was jar. and in the kitchen
piCIllloCS dSlOoo lllC pdSodkC ilHClS SOulO UN
heard the sudden jange of a bell.
Somebody at the front door, sir -
Dunstans startled eyes went to the clock.
1t was only few minutes after nine, but we
were both surprised that visitor should have
arrived at this hour on such night.
When Dunstan shot back the heavy bolts,
Icould hear the wind swirling in the corridor.
There we're voices, footsteps and the next
moment was on my feet.
Better come this way miss it s young
lady SIR
Dunstan stood aside, and girl of about
twenty, as near as could judge, half stumbled
into the dining room. Her coat and hat were
caked with snow and her breath was coming in
gasps. She put out her hand to the table and
steadied herself. 1t was not the appropriate
moment for one to enquire what in heavens
name she was doing out alone in such storm,
or where she had come from, for l could see
she was numb with cold and utterly ex-
hausted, and was afraid she was going to
faint. But presently she seemed to recover,
and told her to sit down in a chair by the
fire. Dashing some of Dunstan's precious
cognac into glass; ordered her to drink it.
She did her best, looking up at me with
weary smile.
I'm be all right in a moment" she whis-
pered. 1--we walked up from the road. My
car i it's down there 30