The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-02-28
STORM MUSIC
CHAPTER WI
Eavesdropping.

we Hdu pdSSeu Tie udy III q hoPPh-
ness such as, think, is given to very
few, but now the sun was sinking, yet
Godfrey had not appeared.
That the forester's wife might be
late had never entered our heads. We
were up betimes the next morning and
were ready and waiting for Freda at
quarter to eight. We might have spared
our energy, for eight o'clock went by,
yet she did not come.
And nine o'clock went by and
ten. >.
Bad news is trying enough: but when
the absence of news is so prolonged
that only a fool would continue to
hope against hope, 1t is, think, stout
heart that will feel no alarm.
There was no longer any doubt in
our minds. Somehow or other Pharaoh
had put a spoke in our wheel.
At II o'clock that Thursday I led
the way into the kitchen, took my seat
at the table and opened the map.
II must leave you, Nell" said quiz
city. There's no other way"
Helena nodded, and hand went up
to her head.
"What will you do, John?"
II must get lift at Witchcraft and
hire car where 1 can" 1 considered
the map. 81 should think I'd get one
at Sabbot. From there l must drive to
Salzburg for all I'm worth" 1 drew
some paper towards me and started to
make some notes.
An exclamation from Helena snapped
the sentence in two.
looked up sharply.
There was horror in her beautiful
eyes-and these were fast on the pa
per on which was making my notes.
what is it, Nell?" 1 cried, rising.
She clapped her hands to her face.
'Oh, john" she walled, "that paper
For an instant stared at the sheet
one of cheap, gray packet which,
when we had asked her for note-paper,
the forester's wife had produced.
Listen, John. think that paper
has told me why Godfrey isn't here.
You wrote to him in pencil, the pencil
was blunt and you pressed" She
pointed a trembling finger. There on
that sheets the impression Of what
you wrote"
This was true.
"D'you remember our last patrol
how, when we parted, offered to wire
to your cousin? And you said yes, and
/ did. But wrote out the wire on a
pad of writing paper-and the pencil
was blunt"
"You mean"
'The pad was on the library table.
If Pharaoh saw it and read it, it gave
him your cousins address. Supposing
he wired the next morning, while we
were talking to Freda, here in this
room. . Supposing he wired, as l
did, using your name. 4. Surprising
he said, Return. :"
zone moment" 1 said. 81 must
think"
l thought very fast.
Hypothesis or no, here was a good
explanation of my cousins failure to
come If Pharaoh had wired to Geof-
frey, Godfrey would have left Salz-
burg before my letter arrived.
81 must go at once" l said, and
picked up the map.
ITO Plumage, John?"
I nodded
II must get car somehow and drive
60 -
car near the high road and go through
the woods to the farm. There's not an
instant to lose-we're three days late.
God knows where Freda isl can only
hope and pray that she's missed her
train"
Together we studied the map.
l glanced at my watch.
with average LUCK" said l, II ought
to be there not later than half-past
three"
"And them" said Helena quietly.
my sweet, l don't know. I've got
to find out something and to act on
what find out. And now for you. You
mustn't stay in the cottage; you must
spend the day in tn, forest and keep
out of sight. And I'll come back. my
darling, as soon as ever 1 can"
Two minutes later / was treading
the path to Witchcraft, and the brack-
en- which yelled my lady was out Of
my sight.
At half-past six that evening 1 made
the woods behind Plumage, and FIVE
minutes later / was lying just clear
Of their foliage, surveying the back of
the farm. The stars had fought against
me, and my journey had taken far
longer than I had hoped, but now l
saw very clearly that all / could do
was to watch, for that must go no
closer until 1t was dark.
] That Bugle and Rush were at Plum
| age had no doubt; leave the woods,
| therefore, dared not, while it was
day, for the shutters of the house were
open and the valley was full of light.
From where I now lay there was
nothing at all to observe. / therefore
re-entered the woods and cautiously
moved round their fringe, stopping
from time to time to peer at the farm,
but all / saw were the farm-hands