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SYNOPSIS
Richard Exon. a poor young Englishman,
befriends elderly Matthew Gering. wRo at
his death, gives nim a statement claiming
he. Gering. is Rudolph Elbert Virgil. Count
of Brief, of ancient Austrian nobility who
was betrayed 20 years before by his twin
brother. Ferdinand, whose sentence for forgery
he himself served Ferdinand appropriated
his title, property and daughter Before
he dies. Gering tells Exon there is a
family secret, known only to the head of
the house, to be found In the great tower at
Brief, by a doorway none can ever find.
Exon inherits his uncle's fortune and sets
out to right Gerlng's wrongs. En route he
encounters Percy Elbert Virgil, son of the
adlJainous Ferdinand and sees him In con
ferenre with fnskip. a diamond merchant
He engages a valet. Winter, who hates
Percy and meets by chance at a garage.
John Herrick. who is a linguist and who
as a youth served as a page at Gerinc's
wedding and had visited Brief He-rrick.
due eventually to fall into an inheritance,
is at present unemployed and seeking pleasant
work to while awav a few months
Exon and Herrick establish headquarters at
Brenda Revoke's farm at Raven, a few
miles from Urief and make their plans.
They find the castle almost Inaccessible at
first, but at the mouth of the entrance drive
several days later, they see a closed car
occupied by Percy Virgil.
CHAPTER II? Continued
I
We were now approaching the
foothills among which the castle
stood, but the drive was so serpentine
and the trees by its sides were
so thick that we could not see what
was coming for more than some 50
paces beyond each bend. We, therefore.
took the precaution of leaving
the road for the bracken before we
rounded a curve, to make sure the
next reach was empty before we
t exposed ourselves. That we did so
was just as well, for a quarter of a
mile further on, I lifted my head
from the bracken to see the closed
car at rest in the midst of the
way. One of its doors was open,
and someone within was speaking
v/itli Percy Virgil, who seemed to
be very angry and was pointing the
way we had come.
Be sure 1 dropped like a stone,
and Herrick, moving behind me,
followed my lead.
The car then began to move backwards
slowly enough.
Now the drive was not wide
truuuKM 10 auow any car lo lurn
round, but a track ran out of the
drive some six or seven paces from
where we lay. By making use of
this track, any chauffeur could turn
any car, and I was ready to wager
that here the car would be turned.
Sure enough, in a moment or two,
we saw the body swing backwards
into the track. For all that, I should
have been wrong, for the car did not |
stop until it was four or five paces ,
clear of the drive, when the chauffeur
applied his hand-brake and |
switched his engine off. The car
had been parked.
As somebody opened a door. Percy
Virgil strode out of the drive
and into the track.
Here I will say once for all that
throughout this tale I shall report
in English such speech as was used.
Much was, of course, said in German,
but though, when I heard it, (
I did not know what it meant, Herrick
translated it for me as soon as
ever he could. |
As he came to the car?
"Where's the wire?" snapped Virgil.
"Or have you forgotten that?"
"It is here," said another man.
"And the change of clothes?"
"Also," said a woman's voice.
"All marked, as I said?"
"That is so."
"Then follow me," said Virgil,
"and bring the wire."
Cautiously raising our heads, we.
cntv thr? nrnrpccinn cpt rmt?fire* \7ir>
gil, then the man, then the woman,
with a dog on a lead. The chauffeur
brought up the rear. They
passed behind the car and disappeared
in the wood.
When Herrick explained what had
passed, I put a hand to my head.
"What on earth does it mean?"
Herrick shrugged his shoulders.
"Unless," he said, "dear Percy is
making a film . . ."
"Which is absurd," said I. "But
so is everything else. And where
docs the dog come in?"
"Nothing comes in," said Herrick.
"It's all preposterous. But I'm glad
to have seen dear Percy?extremely
glad."
Having seen and heard what we
had, I was for following Virgil, to
see whet his business might be, but
when I suggested this, Herrick
raised his eyebrows and glanced at
his watch.
"As you please," said he, "but it's
now getting on for five, and the outdoor
staff will be up and about by
six. If we turn aside and start
stalking Percy and Co.?and it
leans stalking, mark you: not
ft.
The Cherokee Seoul
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Painfe
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O Dornford YoIm
whipping along a road?by the time
we get back to our job, we may
find that we've missed the tide."
This was sheer common ser.se. so
1 said no more.
Ten minutes perhaps had gone by
when the drive curled between the
foothills and then swung round to
the left and began to climb. Almost
at once the woods on its right
fell away, and there was the castle
before us, perhaps 300 yards off.
It made a lovely picture, lit by
the rising sun, for its tower and its
seven turrets stood out most told
and brilliant against the blue of the
sky and these and every projection
that caught the light were throwing
shadows so vivid that the castle
looked heraldic and might have been
a fclazon of black and gold. It was
built of gray stone and must once
have been a fortress of considera
Die strength, out windows had later
been set in its massive walls and
chimney-stacks had been added to
make it a residpnre.
Herrick, I think, was more excited
than I, for, now that he saw the
castle as he had seen and known it
Cautiously Raising Our Heads,
when he was twelve years old, he
began at once to remember the plan
it the house: since this was all to
the good, I let him be and myself
began to survey the heights which
we hoped to use.
Almost at once I remarked that
an one of these, three firs were
standing together to thrust a graygreen
steeple into the sky: this, 1
was sure, could be seen from the
farther side and so would make us a
landmark for future use. The next
thing I saw was a path which slanted
up from the meadows into the
woods, and when I had taken my
glasses, 1 found that it led to an
elegant belvedere, or open summer
bouse. This looked unfrequented,
and but for my glasses 1 could not
have picked it out, for the trees
which had been cut back had put
forth new boughs. Because of the
veil of foliage, nobody standing
there could ever be seen from below,
yet he could see as much as
he wished by peering between the
leaves. To reach this spot from
above looked easy enough, for it
bung a short 30 feet below the crest
of the hill and the ground between
was covered with beech and Dr.
This was enough for me. My one
idea was to make for the Rolls and
then to go round by road and get to
the belvedere as soon as ever I
could. But Herrick, deep in memory,
would not be moved.
"Why rush your fences?" he said.
"We've plenty of time. I'm doing
lovely work?I can even remember
a nirtnrp that huna in tho Hintn<r_
room. That's the dining-room at the
end. You can't see the stables from
here?they're behind to the left. But
what I'm on now is the tower. I
think it rises from the courtyard?
I'm almost sure. But I know that it
had a door on the second floor. The
courtyard's beyond that archway?
not very big . . . You go on, if you
like?I shan't be long."
I had a sudden idea.
"All right," I said. 'I'll go on.
And on the way I'll see what Percy's
up to."
"What could be better?" said Herrick.
"But don't get involved. We're
here to And out?not give battle.
Don't forget that."
t, Murphy, N. C., Thursdi
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.. DORNFOI
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"I promise," said I. "Don't be
long," and, with that, I was gone.
Retracing my steps, I did not use
the drive, but moved by its side
through the bracken beneath the
trees. As I approached the track, I
saw that the car was still there and
had not been moved.
Now all 1 knew was that Virgil
and his companions had passed up
the track out of sight. How far they
had gone or whether they had kept
to the track. I had no idea, but since
it ennm pH nrottv r>lnnr tV>??t thou
would not ho vpry for off, from now
I took greater precautions against
being seen. When I moved. 1 did
so gently and went on my hands
and knees, and whenever I rose to
look around, I did so against a treetrunk,
as though, indeed, I were
stalking some wary prey.
First of all, I took a good look at
the car. This was roomy and powerful
and something the worse for
wear. Its number-plates had been
I oiled and were coated wiih dust.
One of its doors was ajar, and within
I could see an old suitcase, no doubt
containing "the clothes." But that
HBifl
We Saw the Procession Set Out.
was all, and alter a long look round,
I went on my way.
It was nearly six o'clock, and 1
had been gone from Herrick a full
half-hour when the track beside
which I was moving came to an
end. This to my dismay, for now
I had nothing to go on, although, of
course, the track might have led me
wrong.
In vain I sought for a broken stem
of bracken which might declare the
trail which my friends had left: in
vain I scanned the forest and
strained my ears: but for the birds
and the squirrels, I might have had
me world to myself.
Flat against the trunk of an oak
tree, 1 wiped the sweat from my
face. Five paces ahead a ride had
been cut through the woods: though
this was thick with bracken, it gave
me a pretty clear view to right and
to left, but the flood stretched
smooth and unbroken and I could
see no sign of its having been
crossed.
Loth to admit defeat, I tried to
think nrhnf +n Tw proceed V/vtw
easy enough, but, for all I knew,
with every step that I took 1 might
be going away from the party I
sought. Yet to stay where I was
was useless. If only there had been
a hillock to add a few feet to my
height, I could have looked down
upon the bracken and that point of
view might have shown me the
traces the others had left. But there
was no hillock: the ground hereabouts
was sloping, but nothing
more.
Suddenly I thought of the oak
tree and lifted my eyes . . .
If I could reach it, there was the
place I desired. One of the mighty
branches was stretching out over
the ride?a branch twice as thick as
my loins, some 20 feet up. If I
were there, I could see for a quarter
of a mile, while the leaves of
the lesser boughs would save me
from being seen.
After a long look about me, I
leaped for a sturdy sucker and
swung myself up. My branch was
not easy to come to, because what
handhold there was was so far between,
and I must confess that,
whilst I fought my way up, I could
ty, November 10, 1938
Face
RD YATES
not help wondering how 1 should
ever get down. However, I would
not turn back, and after two or
three minutes I flung a leg over
the perch upon which I had set my
heart.
I now had a very good view of
the whole of the ride, which sloped,
on the left, to the meadows southwest
of the house, and rose, on the
right, to a circus, whence three other
rides ran out. as spokes from a
hub. Across the ride two definite
trails had been left?or. rather, one
and a half. The first, which
stretched right across, was 30 paces
away, to the left of the oak; and
the second, which stretched but halfway.
as far to the left again. At the
end of this second trail, full in the
midst of the ride, the woman was
cittin<7 alrtriA u-ifK hnr K?/>lr ?nii>n>v)e
me.
To say that I fall bewildered
means nothing at all. What on earth
she was doing there, 1 could not coni
ceive. and at last i mane up my I
mind that she must be hiding from
Virgil with whom she had had some
fuss. Of him or the other two men,
I could see no sign.
Now but for the sight of the woman,
I should have at once descended
and taken the other trail, but whilst
I was still considering whether to
follow this course, the woman got
to her feet and stood perfectly still.
When I saw her do this, it came
to me in a flash that, unless the
woman was mad. she must be acting
in concert with somebody else.
And so she was. Before two minutes
had passed, the chauffeur
appeared.
He made his way straight to her
side, when the woman handed him
something and then hurried out of
the ride and so out of my view.
Preparing to descend, 1 had
turned about and was standing upon
the branch with my hands on the
trunk, when the scream of a dog
in agony rent the ear. Half-turning
again, I saw the chauffeur standing
where I had seen him last, holding
the dog at arm's length by the
scruff of its neck and flogging the
luckless creature with all his might.
I was just about to cry out when
I heard a galloping horse coming
down from the right, that is to say,
from the circus from which the four
rides ran out.
Because of the leaves before me,
I could not see it go by, but an
instant later a bay flashed into my
view. On his back was a girl, and
the two were going full tilt down
the midst of the ride, and making
straight for the chauffeur still
thrashing the dog.
So for a second or less. Then the
bay turned head over heels and
the girl went flying beyond him, as
though shot out of a gun.
I never saw such a fall in all my
life, but before I had time to think,
much less to descend, a man and a
I woman were rushing to where the
; girl lay. They were, of course, the
two that came out of the car and
they must have been standing directly
in line with the bay when he
came to the ground. And the chauffeur,
too, was running as fast as
he could.
The bay was up now and was
moving off through the bracken with
heaving flanks, but the girl lay
crumpled up and perfectly still. To
my surprise, instead of attending to
her, the man and the woman between
them lifted her up and began
to stumble with her towards my
oak. They passed directly beneath
me, seeming to think of nothing but
getting their burden along. Had this
been the carcase of a dog, they
could scarce have used it with less
propriety. The girl was dead or
senseless?1 could not tell which:
but, instead of supporting her head,
thpv let this hnna -# '
. c U11C Vtt UCI
legs was suffered to trail on the
ground.
This was too much for me, and
at once I began to go down; but.
for all my indignation, I could not
make haste, because, as I had
feared, the descent was twice at
stiff as the climb I had made.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Mysterious Tulips
Near the sites of many of the ancient
Roman camps built by soldiers
of nearly 2,000 years ago in the south
of England, tiny red tulips make
their appearance each spring. They
are quite different from any other
tulips seen in that country and are
found nowhere but in the neighborhood
of the Roman camps, the
bulbs being found at depths of five
feet.
\
I
Those Dear Gals
The girl who speaks volumes
usually ends up on the shell.
Winter is here when the girls
put on an extra coat of powder.
A sophisticated girl is one
who knows how to refuse a kiss
without being deprived of it.
The girl who wants to be a
dress designer has to learn
more and more about less and
less.
Fairy tale: Once there was a
woman who laughed at her
husband's jokes.
A judge recently told a woman
to speak just as if she were
at home. The case is still proceeding.
Free-Hand Embroidery
Design Is Fun to Do
Here is another free-hand embroidery
design that should be as
i_ r. ? "
muL-ii iun as mose in our book.
This attractive border is suggested
here for a bed jacket. You
will have no difficulty in finding a
pattern for a jacket as they are
quite the thing to wear over
sleeveless nighties. Your freehand
border will dress it up for a
Christmas gift.
If the jacket is pale pink, the
rows of running stitches might be
in several tones oi rose. Tne cross
stitches could be in deep rose and
;ii; Hv *:?* ?-?7>v?
5' ' * A V
ft M V fkf
jjij ? x-txh -txy J
turquoise blue to simulate flowers.
The long and short stitches,
shown at A and B, should then
be done in apple green. Lines
may be drawn with a ruler as a
guide to keep the rows straight,
and evenly spaced dots may be
made to indicate the cross stitches
beginning the spacing at the corners
of the design.
Are you ready for Christmas;
birthdays; and the next church
bazaar? Do you turn time into
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Spears' Sewing Book 2 has helped
thousands of women. If your home
is your hobby you will also want
Book 1?SEWING for the Home
Decorator. Order by number, enclosing
25 cents for each book. If
you order both books, a leaflet on
quilts with 36 authentic stitches
will be included free. Address
Mrs. Spears, 210 S. Desplaines St.,
Chicago, 111.
#WORLDS4 A,
| LARGEST II |C
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Dare to Choose
For all may have, if they dare
choose, a glorious life or grave.?
George Herbert.
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WNU?7 45?38
Good Thoughts Live
Good thoughts, even if they are
forgotten, do not perish.?Publilius
Syrus.
SMALL
Brings Blessed Relief ^
front actot and aalat af
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