Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1912-05-25 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CHAPTER V. (Continued.) back some distance. Shall we investigate?" "They will be offended," he thought, referring "Of course, father, that is what we came for." to Mr Caalterwood and Genrree. For lie Oliver had the ready wit to lie down again : did 9,01; care so much, as he knew she was aware and when the visitors struck a match and lighted her own caprice had sent him away angry. a lentern which they brought with them, to sit Ashamed, as well as a little fantished and chilly, up, rub his eyes, and yawn. he felt for his hat and an oar with the intention What the d—!" exclaimed the intruder, of returning and making such apology as he angry and alarmed. could. "What the deuce!" echoed Oliver, laughing. Just then something stole across the column "What are you doing in here?" said the of silver moonlight and remained there. Oliver, ; other, suspiciously, darting keen looks about the 'himself entirely unobserved, saw every movement hole and into the empty skiff. of those outside nearly as plainly as if it had been "I might ask the game question of you, sir. day. There was a small beat, about like his; However, I have no objection to answering you. uwn and in it two men. They had been rowing I'm a painter, as you may see by my portfolio.  • . 1 . • • • CI  I,  ••. • • • • .  • « • • I • •• •  '  I went out on the water sketching as I often do —got warm and tired—turned in here to rest, myself: and, I suppose, must have fallen asleep, as it appears to be night, now that you have kindly aroused me." Ever been here before?" continued his questioner, eagerly. "Frequently. Have you never been in the Hole? Then you are not so familiar with the bay as my friends and myself. This is a favourite place with us to eat our lunch, and to bathe when the sun is too hot outside." Ah! Hem! Anything particularly interesting about the spot?" "Nothing more so than clam-shells. Plenty of those. sometimes the fishermen come in here to clean their fish. Then it smells delightfully. By ' the way, how came you to discover our dresSing... room ?" "Oh, myself and son were out for a row. We were idling about to please ourselves. I saw this hole, and thought I would explore it." "Much obliged IA you for waking me up. And now, if you'll draw up to one side, I think I can push by you—if my boat's not stove in by the thump you gave her." Oliver touched his hat to the two men and glided out into the pure moonlight. He was glad to find himself out of their company. Not that there was anything threatening in their aspect; they appeared harmless enough, except that the old man eyed him distrustfully, and that his grey eyes burned with a curious brightness. If there had been anything about him to tempt their cupidity, and they had been armed they might have murdered him and no one been the wiser, had they been desperate characters.. No such thrilling interest environed them. He had noticed them very particularly, with his trained artistic eye, and would know either of them anywhere in the wide world should he chance to meet them again. The pale, delicate youth, nineteen or twenty, with clear brown eyes and a pleasant voice; 'the nervous, sharp-featured parent, with the feverish eyes, iron-grey hair, and stooping shoulders. "He looks like a chemist, or student of some hind," concluded Oliver, who had noted the whiteness of the bands of both, and that bleached sort of complexion which tells of confinement indoors. "What under the heavens were they looking looking for and talking about? Can it be that they were in search of the brass-bound chest?" Ho was certain they were--so certain that early the next day he returned to the cavern and examined ihe place in which he had re entombed it. I The chest was gone, and the cavity tilled and smoothed over. Here was "stuff for dreams plenty of it. "Poor fools!" he ejaculated, fortnight too late "  ----:::- v 011 Were a