The evening world. Newspaper, October 19, 1914, Page 15

Ashton- Kirk, Special Detective A New Yorker's Strange Methods of Solving a Crime Mystery’ By John T. McIntyre (Cupyright, Paget Newspaper Service) CHAPTER I. Some Peculiar Circumstances. BHTON-KIRK, student of crime, sat cross-legged upon a rub; thoughtfully he drew at the big Coblents pipe. “Fuller,” said he, “get me the name Campe.” “Campe—Mexico—financiers?” “Right.” “German family owning great interests in Mexico,” presently came the report. “Have lived there for more than fifty years. Only surviving son,' Lg tol graduate of @ United States university. Now living at country place " As Ashton-Kirk finished reading this a Mr, Scanlon was announced. ‘Mr, Boanion had blue, good-natured the sort accustomed to laugh; but, Bow they were grave enough, and little troubled wrinkles showed at thelr, corners. He was a one time athlete, gambler and gun fighter, but now a/ Sara One Heb ate tats a DO af ou orem. handler of champions, “I wrote to you about Campe,” he began. “I told you something was the matter with him. I didn’t know what. I know now.” “What ta it?” “Fear,” replied Scanlon, in @ low- pitched voice, bis mouth twisting wrily as be shaped the word. “Btark, white-faced fear; the kind that turns @ man sick just at the aight of it. I was surprised at a pus, fellow like Campe indulging in @ recreation like being afraid; for in him we have a wido-awake chap, [i Aged of one of the big colleges, ler of a middle distance récord and known for his | cies And for such @ one to lock himself up in a big country house and go to shak- ing at every sound he hears not On pleasant. Bot acquainted with young Campe a couple of years ago when he sprung a tendon and they thought a big race was lost for his college. They sent for me as old Doo Emergency and I tinkered him i up enough to go the distance. After that be got friendly. When he graduated, every one expected he'd th back to Mexico, But he didn't. went into a German importing house here—a kind of partner, I think. “I'd always measured him for a kind of # cut-up; he never seemed to take things very seriously, and had @ jaugh that he kept constantly work- ing, But about a year ago I noticed @ change. He didn’t talk so much; if be laughed all it didn’t have the old-time color; and he got to sitting sort of drift away. I could tell by his ion tl he wasn't getting a I was sa,ing. Finally he took to walking the floor, biting bis nails and whispering to himself.” Ashton-Kirk shook his head. “Pretty bad,” sald he. ‘That's what I thought, And I mentioned the fact to him. But he tried to laugh—it was a complete failure—and said there was nothing He was a little nervous; and to him in this ww of him until about two woeks ago. Thi letter, asking me to pack a bag and run up to Marlowe Furnace for a visit. “The shooting’s right,’ says he, ‘and I've got a brace of dogs that'll make you show excitemen “ ‘This,’ says I to myself, ‘is just about the right thing. Nothing'd ult me better now than to fuss with a dog and a gun.’ “Bo I wrote him I'd come at once. . Marlowe Furnace, !f you don't know the place, is about twenty miles out, tueked mong the hills. It was ite a in revolutionary time: they beat out sword blades and bayo- nets there, and cast cannon and the round shot to stuff them with. “There's only a few houses, with an ian for summer visitors; and there's @ little covered bridge crosses the river, just like a picture on a plate. Campe was holding out at Schwartz- berg, or Castle Schwartzberg, as the ple of the town call !t. The castle Ee regular robber-baron kind of @ 6, with a wall around ft, towers, Batuscrente, little windows with bars and all the rest of the said Ashton-Kirk, “Tt wag built by a German officer who came over with Baron Steuben dur- ing the Revolution, When peace camo he decided he liked the section well enough to stay. He was rich and bullt Schwartzberg in the effort to get some of the color of the old 4 into the new.” t was something like that,” said Mr, Scanlon, nodding. “And tho buflder must have been related, in a way, to the Campes. Anyhow, they came into the castle some years ago. Well, to be Invited to a place like that was not usual with me; and I felt a little swelled up about it. "You've heen’ asked because of our qualifies as a sportman and mn companion,’ says I to myself; ‘the discriminating always pick you for an ace.’ But twenty-four hours later I had Jearned my true status,” sald Scan- Jon, his brows corrugating, and his thick forefinger tapping the table, “'T had been asked to Schwartzberg to act as a bodyguard, and for nothing else in the world “I see," said Ashton-Kirk. “Mind you, the situation has never been put into plain words. In fact, it's never even been hinted at, But things happened, queer thipss, with 3 no meaning attached, and so T grad ually sonked the {dea up. A body ard I was; and my job was to pro- ect young Campe from something out among the hills." CHAPTER II. How Matters Stood. CANLON paused for a space; he examined a loose place in the wrapper of his cigac, Ashton - Kirk sat waiting, rus, his hands clasping ’ n tho og man continu “Well, as soon as I put my foot on the station platform at Marlowe Fur- nace the thing began, ‘The station man said to me: **You are going to Schwartzborg **Yes,' says 1, #'A party's been asking about you,’ o o Fons of Campe's people, I guess No,’ says he. ‘I know all them, "The party was 4 stranger,’ “3 thought this a little queer, but I + ho says. ‘If you'll be so kind, I'll have I got a bill had my getting out to Campe's place, to think of; and as it was late and very dark, I said nothing more except to ask my way, ““Take the road down to the river,’ 8 the station man. “Then cross the bridge and turn to your right. You'll see @ lot of lights that look as it they were hanging pway up in the air, That's the castle. ui “So, bag in hand, I atarts off. It was a starry night; but there was no moon, and starlight isn’t much good on @ road where tree branches meet on either side. But I was headed right, and in @ Uttle while I made out the outlines of the covered bridge, “Like @ Noah's Ark,’ saya I, as 1 started across, Footsteps inside cov. ered bridges on a still, dark night apt to stir up a lot of other sounds: when I began to hear a kind of uffiing alongside of me I wasn't surprised. ‘An echo, @ays I, and ‘t even turn. But when an electric hand torch shot a little tunnel of light through 16 darkness and hit me in the ear T came about, quick enough. “1 ask your pardon,’ says kind of a voice, “That I hand you willingly,’ says I. ‘But, believe me, friend, you'll have to go some to get anything else,’ “The worst of an electric torch in a dark place,” complained Mr, Scan- lon, “is that the party holding it has & good slant at you; but all you can do to him is wink and look foolish, ‘I've a small favor to ask of you,’ smooth you carry this to young Mr, Campe,’ “And like that’—here Scanion snapped his fingers—“the light went and I didn't even see him. He spoke oe Lec aor tee pay Dut some- to me on the bridge coming from the Cr Ung teeny station. He gave me this thing for No explanation will be needed,’ you. He said you'd ask no questions, saya the volce, if anything a little but he didn't mention, couldn't help smoother than before. "What I have adding, ‘the other things you'd do.’ given you will tell its own story,’ “Campe grabbed my arm with both ‘Then I heard the pit-pit-pat of hands. gareful foct going back across the ‘If you can,’ says he ‘try and for- get that I lost my head just now. If you knew what a bedevilled man I ‘am you'd only wonder why I don't go permanently mad.’ “Then be stands looking at the green stone, which the sergeant- major had Fs upon the table; his Ups twitebed, his face was white. “Oh, they are cunning,’ says he. "They know the nature and eubstance of fear. They play upon it with thé expertness of devils, But,’ and he bridge, and I walked on. “At tho end of the bridge I looked haves river; there was a sort of mist lifting from the water, but high above this @ battery of lights twinkled end linked in the distance, ‘If that's Schwartsberg,’ says & mpe's got her woll lit up." struck along @ road which led over the hills; and in half an hour was thumping at the gate of the castle. ; was apt lifted one clenched fist, ‘they'll nover ata ey pitied Boaminm break my nerve; I'll hold out against “Then ra footsteps and ane them, no matter what they do, hen we went out for a walk next Campe armed us to the teeth. ‘Sometimes there are vagrants who get impudent,’ said Campe. ‘I'v sound of whispering. Suddenly I was flooded by a@ light from somewhere ovor the gate; I heard a man mention my name in a kind of a shout; then the gate opened, I was dragged in, and it swung shut after me, the bolts and things falling into place with a gTeat racket. Youne Camps had me by the hand and was shaking away for doar life, “‘I'm glad to see you, old chap!’ says he. ‘Glad as I can be, But I nevor expected you on a train as late as this!’ ‘After which,” continued Mr. Scan- lon, “I was led across a courtyard and {hrough a high narrow doorway like ¢ slit in the wall. A few steps down a stone paved corridor and we turnal into.a room that was @ ringer for a German rathskeller, “Well! gays Campe, ‘here you are, old man, and thero never was a p son 8 welcome anywhere before, You geo,’ ted his voice aank ao littl ‘there, be things about he: may as well be propared.’ jeveral times, from my bedroom windows, at night, I saw prowling about the courtyard or upon the wall. Once I fancied I caught the creeping of a couple of figures be- yond the wall, I went out to look up the nature of the stunt, and al- most got myself shot by what Campe afterward called prowling tramps. On the following night as T sat read- ing in my room I heard a woman's scream—sudden and high with fear. There was a rush of feet along empty corridors, sharp voices and the siamming of doors. I grabbed up my automatio, and, all in disarray, I broke for tho scene of excitement. But half way down a flight of stairs I came upon Sergeant-Major Kretz, quite calm, but looking @ ttle grim- mer, if anything, than I'd ever scon hat! — him before. “'Take ‘re,’ says some on “It's nothing,’ he tells me. “The as I looke. around I saw Fraulein was frightened. All is blocky Germs right. You need not bother,’ his hand at a saiste. wassortof “There's a bd aye then, at gray around the temples and he had Schwartzberg?” said Ashton-Kirk, oa grim a face as I ever saw, “Two of them, to exact,” Tre- turned Scanlon. “One's an aunt of Campe's; the other is a companion, or something of the kind. The girl I see often, but the aunt very rarely. But I never did more than nod to either of them until the night Campe wee sa ‘ “In the body,” said Scanlon. “That was two nights ago: I had gone to bed rather later than usual and had I think, been asleep only a few mi utes when I was awakened by sound, I sat up and Hetened. Then it came again, Far off, as though among the hills, camo a roaring; tt started like a murmur at first, and grew in yolume until {t rumbled tke Agel I'd ever heard before, Then “Young Campe gave a sort of gulp. ‘Quite right, Sergeant,’ sayshe. Then to me, he goes on; ‘This is Sergeant- Major Kretz, once of the Kaiser's army, and an old friend of my father's.” “The Sergeant-Major salutes once more, but his face was like granite, “‘T will take your hat and coat,’ says he; and then a thing happened which, for suddenness, has got y~ thing I ever saw whipped to a stand- still; and I've seen some sudden do- ings in my day. I pulled off my over- coat and gave it to the Sergeant- Major. He took it kind of awkward- ly; something dropped from one of the pockets and slid across the sanded floor, "Don't be so confoundedly clum, Kretz,’ says Campe, and he steo and picked the thing up. But whet he got it In his hands and gave it one jJook, he threw it from him and gave a gurgling gort of cry. Then he swung around and leaped on me like 4& madman, both hands digging into led away and only its echo re- ed, drifting above the hillsides. “Thunder, says |. “But the sky was filled with stars and they shone as brilitantly os stars ever shone before, Oncemore came the roaring In tho night; with my head thrust far out at the win- my throat.” dow I listened. A door opening on Ashton-Kirk shook the ash from the the courtyard slapped to, suddeniy: Coblentz and nodded at his visitor, autck footsteps sounded and Campe's ather impulsive,” said he. voice, high and angry, came to my After I'd got him into a chair ears. The gate opened before him; with the Sergeant-Major holding 1 could see him, a revolver in his him,” went on Scanion, “E took a hand and with all the appearance look at the thing he had picked up, of madness, rush away in the dires- It was a smooth stone about the size tion of the great sound. of an egs, tnough not that shap “L commenced jumping into my Breen tn co! my clothes, a ment at a jump; @ up place on one side of it. I had no brilliant tongue of Hght shot trom tlon of ever having acen it the top of Schwartzberg and began and I was puzzled about how to sweep the country round about it got Into my pocket, But while I much like the searchlight of a bat- was puzzling, It flashed on mo. tleship, “It's the thing that fellow gave “ ‘They are strong on equipment,’ mo while I was crossing the bridge,’ says I to myself, as T grabbed my says I, gun, and made for the door. ‘This “'Lot me up," says young Campe time I met no one on tho stairs, nor to the German. There was something !n the courtyard, when I reached tt nearer sanity in his eyes than there had been a few moments before; #0 the Sorgeant-Major let go of him. nor yet at the gate. Once outside I looked up; the light was streaming out over the hills from the tallest “‘What fellow?’ saya Campe. turret of the castle; and in the gloom “‘T didn't know him; it was dark beside the I saw Krots, his sci ck sa known them to attempt robbery; #0- Prin aes Spee arene AT ae © PRR corm mre Mauser in his hands, his face turned as though he were grimly picking up each detail as the light brought it out. “I had noted the direction which Campe had taken; eo I struck after him, Two hundred yards away from the castle I heard his revolver begin to speak; then there came the eager straining breaths of men engaged in @ struggle, the grinding of feet, and a@ heavy fall. I had all but reached, tho epot when the great ray swept round and held it. I saw young Campe stretched out upon the ground; and over him stood the girl, all in white, with her face upturned, her arms outstretched toward the high turret as though imploring the grim rifleman to hold his fire. “Well?” asked Ashton-Kirk, “She was a peach; and Campe was close to being all in. I backed him, and with my automatic held ready, and the girl trailing behind, I got back to the castle, where I heard the gate closed and locked behind mo with some thankfulness.” “Was Campe badly burt?” “He had a long, peculiar cut down his chest and stomach, not deep, but ugly looking. It was just as though some one had made a sweep at him with something big and heavy and keen, and he had pulled back in time to escape most of it, But he was bout next day: he thanked me fory going out after him, but sat tighter than ever on the explanation thing. son it out for the last time. no use—the thing’s beyond yours truly, So here I am.” The singular eyes of Ashton-Kirk were full of interest; he arose from his rug and took a couple of turns up and down the room; then he threw open a bulky raflroad guide and his searching fingor began to run in and out among the figures. “There's a train for Marlowe Fur- 5° nace at 8.04," sald he, “We'll take it.” CHAPTER III. | The Hunt, “ | HO are Campe's netgh- W bors?” asked Ashton- Kirk, aa he and Scanlon j left the train at Marlowe Furnace that evening, “The nearest house ts the inn. A old-time place, Built in Colonial ‘3 two miles from Schwartzbers. “Landlord an oldtimer, toot” “No, I hear he's been there onty about six months. “Maybe it'd be as well if we went there and bespoke a bed, if they'll take us in,” said Ashton-Kirk, Scanion seemed surprised, “I guess they've got room,” said he, “But I had tt in my mind you were going to Schwartzbeng.” “I will pay it a vistt, 1f I'm pew mitted, when I've had a chance to seo something of {ts gurroundings. Your story, you see, shows plainly that, whatever the nature of Campe's danger, It comes from the outside.” A hundred yards further on they topped the crest of @ hill; before them loomed a dense growth of trees Which covered the slopes round about. Ashton-Kirk's head suddenly went up, Ho bent forward in the attt- tude of listening. Far away, among the hills to the north, came a deep utte Scanlon clutched the specialist's arm, That's it!" he erled. “Listen to tt lift, It's the thing I heard roaring in the night," Low, growling, ominous at first, the sound grew in volume. Then it pealed Uke @ mighty voice, rolling and echo (vee tet eae ing from hill ¢o hill, finally subsiding and dying in the muttering with which It began. “According to the dope,” spoke Scantion, in an uneasy tone, “Campe ig now due to take his gun in hand and dash for the gate. “And, if he does, they'll do more than slash him. I've got @ hunch they'll got him for ed, the count on the second try.” As he uttered the last word, a shaft of brilliant light shot from the tower of Schwartzberg and flashed to and fro across the country- side. Then came the quick, far-off pul- gation of a rifle; in the widening beam of white light they saw a wom- an crouching down as though in fear; and then they caught the fig- ure of @ man, running as though for his life. “Campe!" cried Bat Scanlon, his eyes upon the fleeing man and his hand going with the instinctive movement of an old gun fighter to his hip. “And giving his little per- more.” of the crime up detail: ed. He shook had picl whioh the other had m! his head. “No,” id he,’ “Campe is @ young man, you say. This one {s past mid- dio life, And @lso he scems sadly out of condition and does not run at all like a mun who once took mid- dle distance honors.” The searching column of light still clung to the running man; againand again came the light shocks of the distant rifle, “The woman has faded out of the Mmelight,” observed Scanlon. “And the man is trying his best to duplicate the feat. Look—there he es 1"? With a wild side leap, the fugitive vanished into @ shallow ravine, out of range of both the ray and the rifle. At this the searchlight was enapped off and darkness once more settled over the hills, “Your German Bergeant-Major ta no aurprising shot,” commented Ash- ton-Kirk, had his man in full view and mis him repeatedly.” Scanion shook his head t must have been the light, 1a, “Krets can shoot. I've seen him it. “That's the second time I've seen that girl out here in the nig! oon- tinued the big man, “And each time the noise came, and things started doing. I wonder what's the idea?” Ashton-Kirk did not answer. Apa presently they reached the tnn, Scanlon pushed open a heavy door which admitted then to a grent room with a low ceiling, beamed maasive- ly, and colored as with smoke. A short man with a comfortable paunch, a white apron and a red face cure forward to greet them. Ashton-Kirk glanced about the pub- Uc room. A small, cramped-looking man sat at a tablo with a draught board before him, studying a comple move of the pleces through a pal thick lensed glasses, A po d at one side of his avy Walking stick at the Deeply absorbed in the prob- working out Was another (rest frequency. looking landlord ca) t the glances of the crime specialist, and smiled, “My customers aro a fragile lot,” sald he tn a low voles. ‘Tho inns get only that Kind in the winter,” ag though tn explanation, “and some of them are worse than these. It's the alr they come here for.” Just then there came a strident volce from another apartment, “What the deuce ts It?" tt demand- ed. “If matters of importance are to be interfered with In this way, it's time that something was done"— Here the man with the cough reached out and clapped to a door, ‘The land> sourtiag out the mae The Evening World Daily Magazine, Monday, Octdbii £9; 1913 IDER KAISERFISCH « « ‘xefiiee, « « By Robert Minor Next Week's Complete Novel in THE EVENING WORLD The Cottage on the Fells By H. De Vere Stacpoole This Book on the Stands Will Cost You $1.26, You Get It for 6 Cents, “Well,” with another nod, night. See you in the mornin, CHAPTER IV. Ashton-Kirk'’s First Visit to Schwartzberg. N the following morning Ash- ton-Kirk and Scanion break- fasted ut the inn; then they each smoked another of the abouts,” said Ashton-Kirk with @ quiet smile. “But none of them at all resembled you, Miss Knowles.” It seomed, to the eyes of Bat Scan- lon, that change came into the beautiful faco—a subtie sometht swift as the tava occasioned 4 gone as quickly You've been to the inn,” she sald “Poor them are really ei a i na ear ees A “I beg your pardon, Mr. Shaw,” sald he. “I know it's annoying to you, but Mr, Alva must be worse to-day, and 80 is very impatient.” sane ne man coughed jollowly. “I'm Very sorry for the gentleman's condition,” spoke he, huskily. “But he should remember that there are others here who are equally ill in thelr own way; and that his out- burete are not at all agreeable.” The strident voico was lifted more, thia time muffled by the door; then another voico was heard remon- Gretng nd apparently advising, hen sound, the door opened once more and an invaltd's chair made its ap- pearance, propelled by a squat, dark servant, Whose fiat nowe and coarse straight hair gave him the look of an Indian, Beside the chair ag Set @ peppery Uttle man with white hair and eye- glasses from which hung a wide string. “It makes no difference who he is,” declared the peppery little man, fi ing the glasses more firmly upon his nose and speaking to the occupant of the chatr, 6 facts remain as I have said, But, Mr. Alva, there seems to be very little use in advising you, In @pite of all I can say you keep in- doors. Suppose tt is dark? The k= ness can't hurt you. Suppose it is damp? You can protect yourself against that. Air is what you want— fresh alr—billions of gallons of it” The man in the chair was wasted and pale; his almost fleshiess hands Jay upon the chatr arms—his Itmbs seemed shrunken to the bone, Bat and nodded. “Whatover ft fe that's got him has got him for good,” spoke he, in a low tone, “I never saw any man's 80 close to death without being dead.’ The eyes of Ashton-Kirk were fixed upon tho eick man with aingu- lar interest. “And yot,” said he, in the same low Pitched way, “his head 1s very much alive, It probably would not be too way that it i@ the most vital thing in the room: The little doctor began arranging the blankets about the shrunkei limbs; and while he was doing #0, Ashton-Kirk arc “Let mo assist you," ald he, with that calm assurance which 1s seldom denied. Deftly he tuoked in the covertets ‘upon the opposite alde, and buttoned up the heavy coat. But when hoe reached for the muffiing folds about the #ick man's head, all the sureness seemed to leave his fingers; Scanlon was astonished to see him bungle the matter most Gisgracefully; in- stead of accomplishing what he set out to do, he succeeded in knocking the covering off altogether, “Pardon me," he sald, smoothly enough, When Seanion and Ashton-Kirk had retired to thelr own room the detective suddenly aaked: “That object you had given you on the bridge upon the occasion of your first visit and which afterward had h a@ startling effect upon young emp waes did you say tt was t was a etone—not very blg—dark ‘eon in color-—and with @ kind of a hump upon one side of It." Tho crime student nodded; there was a look in the singular eyes which Bat Scanlon had seen there only upon Tare occasions, “You mean to have a try at the Schwartzborg folks in the morning?” asked Beanlon, "Ye Scanlon turned and had hts hand upon the doorknob when the erlme specialist spoke asain, “Rather a pecuilarly shaped head that man tn the chatr has." “I noticed ft," replied Scanton, “It seems to slant back from just above the nose, Gives him an unusual look." “Unusual—yes, I don't think I ever saw that exact conten, aie cept int here he stopped acem 80 helpless. ie “You've visited then?” and there was @ mud bx | inquiry in the pleasant voice. “Ob, mo; but I ride black cigars, At about 8 o'clock they paid their bill and left. On thelr way to Schwartsberg they met two armed men. there followed a soft rolling ot Scanion looked at Ashton-Kirk * “Campe and old Krets,’ id Soan- lon as they drew near, Here the .two advancing men came up. Young Campe was a well built fellow and of good height. But his face was pale, there was @ wild look in his eyes and his man- ner indicated extreme nervousness, Socanion's Gescription of the German sergennt-major was quite accurate; he was equare Lullt and grim faced} there was @ thick grayish patch ia the hair above each ear, and he car- ried himself witth the stiff precision of @ man trained in a European bar~ rack. “How are yout” orted Logs | baking Campe by the hand. would have got here last night, but T had a frie: with mo and we re dat the inn, Mr, Ashton- Kirke,” nodding towards that gen- tleman by way of introduction, Campe shook hands with the epe- clalist in crimes and Krets saluted after his military fashion. “Mr, irk latened to me tell about Schwartsberg until he felt thi jdn’t liv without taking {t in,” Scanlon In- formed them. “So hi come over this morning, hoping it wouldn't be asking too much.” Campe's haunted eyes searched Aston-Kirk; !t was on his lips to re- fuse the request, when the other stopped him by saying: “I hope you'll pardon me, but the fact is, L am something of a student of the period in which your house was bullt, and Its absolute following, line for line, of the anctent plan, of great interest. ‘The Count He bullder of th you, I understand, “AN ancestor of my mother’s.” “Indeed. That's charming. The Count’s career in this country was @ most romantic one, The part he played in the history of the re- public tn Its infancy has been ob- scured by the fanfare made in behalf of men not nea so notable, His duel with the Frenchman, De La Place, was an exquisite piece of knight errantry; and his defense of onoogth® ford below hore, while the British cupied the city, was an aot of daring which the historians do not make the mont of,’ no one, and here his gage went to Scanion, “since you are a friend of Mr. Scanion’s, and are on the ground, {t would hardly do,” and here he black #miled, though faintly, “to turn you ets took a huge key from pocket and unlocked the wate: ‘en he atood aside and the others passed in, The gate was at once relocked. "Thi Ashton-Kirk, as t, “would resist a consid- even at this day,” had wall | preered above was Great thick- itrength was evident, erable force, The high their heads; es! and hed oung Campe loo! shook his head hed up at It and “Ita atrong enough,” sald he, “But for all that, Mr. Ashton-! not keep out thoughts; Perit {f they are stron along @ definite 1! it can- 0. ly marked fi which Seanion had pa LJ ronierd Po! tered by the high, narrow 4. oor. gloomy we brought th f me, evi eS tly, in which Deen recetved, was furnished with heavy cake “ables and chaire of anctent design, had a vaulted and was ornamented ate eee of huge stags and are, an trophii La ony bend wd ents sh arian Git kirl @tood at one sti thrush through the are ot ene a she was attired in a gown flowing and white, her hair was the color of yellow silk, parted in the Pentre and hanging down over her a ‘ampe, "A friend of ‘se the young man, irl was very beautiful; her Itke ‘velvet, bey her color © wan amilin; crime e@pectalist bowed to her but upon the instant that his name wos menttoned the receptacle which held the grain she had been offering the bird foll to the stone floor and @mashed; the delicate color left her cheeks; she stood staring, her blue eyes full of consternation, “Grace!" oried Campe in alarm. But tn ingle instant she had re- covered herself; the color rushed back to her face, the smile returned to the lips. “It ts nothing at all,” she said, “That headache of which I com- plained yesterday seems not to have all gone. I've felt a little faint sey- eral times this morning. “You should not be about.” sata Campe anxiously, “And perhaps tt would be best {fa doctor saw you." The girl smiled sweetly. Her teeth were magnificent; and her lips were scarlet, “Some stunner, eh?" whispered Bat Scanlon to Ashton-Kirk, "To bo about ts the best thing T can do,” sald Mise Know Then with a mischtevous look, "Mr, Kirk will think I'm quite an Invalid.’ She was really a splendid ereature, large and beautifully formed; her complexion, her eves, the great crown of yellow hair and the flowing whito gown gave her the appearance, backed aa she was by the gray trophy-hung wall, of having stepped out of @ medieval picture—the stately hry in re thick brat; “Miss Knowles,” sai: the girl turned.” “At lady of so: t baron, or the Ba le TE ited earl. ar stem rather plenty here- among the hills of a morning. It's glorious place for that; and I meet them stalking slowly slong, oF being wheeled in their chairs. it is the contrast between the vigor of the season and their wretched state, but at any rate I feel very bad about At all “Mr, Kirk ts a student of Amert- can history, and ts interested tm Schwarzberg and the builder,” C informed the girl. “I am to show him @o along?’ “Tt is a tremendous castle,” gaia Ashton-Kirk, they moved @om room to room, “and muat req’ horde of servants to keep it in “We have only two besides Krets— and they are his wife and daughter.” As thoy reached the roof of Sohwartzberg, Ashton-Kirk saw the gearchlight which ho had witnessed in operation the night before mount- ed on one of the towers. It was @ owerful affa' nd eeemed in per- ect order. But as to its uses Campe said nothing; passed it by as though it did not exist. There was very little conversation while they remained upon the geet. Deacending, thoy wore passing aleng & broad corridor when ¢! aa. harp, waveringly played, was and a voice singing @ ited. paorvisally ehton-Kirk, trailing ol along in tho rear, saw the girl start at this and pause. “surely,” sho said, sweetly, “Gir. Kirk should not go without « view of the tapestries.” Young Campe looked lexed. “You seo,” sald he to Ashton-Mirk, ‘there are somo rare hangin, six or seven centuries old, I under- stand. And they are quite well worin seeing. But my aunt is there,” and he gestured toward a door, “and I'm ne at all ae that she—”* je heat! 3 and the girl spoke quickly. . “She'll be plensed to see a visitor.” Upon entering the apartment Ash- ton-Kirke noted ’that it was much more elaborately than the other portions of the castle. Various periods had been called upon for lum- urious fittings; costly rugs were upon the floor; magnificent paintings ered the walls; small carvin, miracles of workmanehip, 3 and the tapestries, which hung against and covered the far wall, were [ek aug @xamples of that ancient unt, Miss Hohenlo,” said “= pol Amton-Kirk ou! on tl trusion,” said tho crime apeclalist, sigue: Py HeneM amiled ; ie was @ a ‘woman, and with faded brown hair and dull one eyes. She was elaborately and rather showily; about her neek hung @ atring of aplendid jewels. Her hands were remarkably small white and well kept; she strings of a gilt harp a them delicately and to advantage, “Indeed,” sald she, “it is ne tm. trusion. Any friends of Precerte my friends; I try to impress ‘ast The ate, of ‘bout the place. Will you upon him, Ghe had « mincing, artificial ner of speech, much after the @ lady in a mid- once did ahe fo: fully she touch harp; with many flourishes she showed their their emaliness, their Between two windows was row strip of the tapestry and in ex- amining this the attention of Ashtome Kirk was drawn to @ huge, two handed sword which huag i. “A rather competent wenpon,” said he: “and one no doubt, has seen excellent vices, Miss Knowles came nearer. “And who can be sure inet Se days of service are over?’ she with a smile. hind her laugh; now he fancied « atill more subtle eomething was id. den behind the smile, “This blade was carried in the army of Barbarossa, at the siege of Milan,” said young Campe. “Tho vaulte!” said Miss Knowtee, Presently, ‘No one could say he had seen @ castle without visiting those parts of it that are underground.” But Campe did not at all take to the suggestion. damp and gloomy,” he dom go into them." He turned to Ashton-Kirk. ‘However, ff you care to see them, I'll be only toe With Kretz carrying a lamp, the three men descended into the regions beneath Schwarteberg. The damp from the nearby river had stained the walls and the stones of the pavement, growths the heavy arches hung wit! of fungus. The place was vast and the radius of the lamp was and beyond it the shadow: gloomy small thickened away into absolute black- ness. ‘The whole progress through the lace seemed a bore to Scanion. ara,” commented he, “are fine places to keep coal in, Men who Bex lleve In encouraging industry have also been known to store wine in their cellars, so that the spiders could have something to spin thelr webs around. hut for the purposes of exerciae or for mild morning atrolls they thelr drawbacks, for myself, I should prefor”—— Suddenly there was a smash of glass, the lamp fell into fragments and the place waa plunged into Scanlon, who was Kirk, felt’ him Socton