Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-12-23
(3{|E 81 WAL 49, MAsTERMAN g

mat you should have come just
before the murder"
"I hope, Colonel, that you are
not suggesting that I had any
thing to do with it?"
s'Not for worlds, my dear fellow.
Nothing was further from my
thoughts. I was merely thinking
of you, an artist seeking peaceful
scenes, and getting landed into
this mess"
There was an awkward silence,
which Reid would not break.
II suppose Sir Henry did not
invite you down here?" Graham
asked, a little haltingly.
Really, Colonel" Reid replied.
IT told you that it was mere
chance that brought me here. ]
didn't know Of the place, or any
one living here. Or course I knew
Sir Henry by NAME"
"Quite so! was only wonder
ing :" He paused, as though
doubtful how to proceed. cts a
queer thing, but you remind me
of an old friend Of mine. An ex-
traordinary likeness, but Of course
that may be a mere coincidence"
After the remarks Of the land
lord at the "Bull", this turn of the
conversation put Reid on his
guard. Was it to ask these ques-
tons that Colonel Graham had in
vited him to dinner and offered
this job to him?
The Colonel was staring into the
fire with a heavy frown on his
face. He seemed to take q sudden
resolve. "You will think my ques-
lions impertinent," he said in a
harsh voice, and putting his hand
into the inner coat pocket Of his
dress coat he produced a piece OF
paper and handed it to Reid.
It had evidently been cut from
a newspaper, and was part Of a
picture with one figure only show
ing, but fragments Of the rest OF
the group by the side of seated
man. Reid gazed at the old worn
remnant in bewilderment, for the
face of the man was so strikingly
like himself that he no longer won
dered at the Colonies curiosity.
He lifted his eyes from the paper
and met the gaze Of Colonel Ora
ham fixed on him with a greedy
fierce stare.
"It is very like me-" he said
quietly. IT don't wonder that you
were interested"
"You don't know who that is %
The words were spoken as though
the other waited anxiously for the
answer.
Reid handed the cutting back
with a laugh. 'tI haven't the fog
giest idea. It's no one I have ever
met"
"Well, we'll! One does meet
with these likenesses," the Colone.
remarked, folding the paper care
fully and replacing it in his pocket
''Who is the MANI" Reid asked
but Graham became secretive al
once. ''Oh, it wouldn't interest
you: a friend knew many years
ago"
But Reds mind was in a whirl
for he had seen more than thu
mere likeness. On the back Of thu
paper, which he had idly turned
over to see whether there was any
ldate, a few words were scribbleC
in pencil over the printed matter
E. is here. Take care. H. S.
| III. S." Henry Severinge!
Some strange mystery lay be
hind this business.
Presently Graham rose to hell
Reid to another liqueur brandy
and himself to some strange Indial
liqueur that he took. Reid alst
rose, ostensibly to knock his asl
into the CRATE. He walked to thu
black windows, down which tn,
rain was running in streaks.
II have quite lost all sense o
direction here. Where does tn,
village lie?"
The Colonel stood besioe him
"Over there, but of course 20,
can't see anything with the ligh
on, and in this storm. Wait"
He went to the door ant