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The Seaforth News, 1932-08-18, Page 6PAGE SIX. THE SEA O Ti NEWS.' Ii 'THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, Revenge Mysterious Doyle ('Continue'd from last week) 'CHAPTER VII: Of Corporal Rufus Smith and His, .Coming To Cloomlber. In making this statement II have purposely couched it in ba'l'd' and sample language, for fear I shauld be accused of coloring my narrative for the sake of effect. I'f, however, I have told my story with any ap- p•roach to realism, the reader will un- derstand me when I say that by this time the successions of dramatic; incid- ents which had occurred had arrest- ed my attention and excited my im- agination to the exclusion of all min- or topics. How ,could I plot through the dull routine of an agent's work, or interest myself in the thatch of this tenant's bothy or the sails of that one's boat, when my mind was taken up by the chain of ,events which I. have described, and was still busy seeking an explanation for them? Go where 'I would over the countryside I could see the square white tower shooting out from among the trees, and beneath that tower this ill-fated family were watching and waiting, waiting and watching—and for what? That was still the question which stood like an impassable barrier at the end of every train of thought. Re- garded merely as an abstract prob- lem, this mystery of the Heather- stone family had a lurid fascination about it, but when the woman whom I lover a thousandfold better than I did myself proved to be so deeply in- tereeted in the solution, I felt that it was impassible to turn my thoughts to anything else until it had• been finally cleared up. My good father had received a let- ter from the Laird, dated from Nap- les, which told us that he had de- rived much benefit front the change, and that he had no intention of re- turning to Scotland for same time. This was satisfactory to all of us, for my father had found Branksome such an excellent place for study that it would have been a sore trial to him to return to the noise and tumult of a city. As to my dear sister and my- self, there were, as I have shown, stronger reasons still to make us love. the \l igtown;hire moors. In spite. of my interview with the general—or perhaps I might sayon account of it --1 took occasion at least twice a, day to walk toward 'Cloont'ber and satisfy myself that all was well there. He •had begun by re- senting my intrusion, but he had ended bytaking me into a sort of hall confidence, aid even by asking my assistance, so I felt that I stood upon 'a different footing with him than I had done formerly, and that he was le's's likely to be annoyed by my presence. 'Indeed, I met him . pacing around the' inclosure a few days of teeward, and lois manner toward me was civil, though he m'ad'e no allusion to our former conversation. Ile ap- peared to be still in an extreme state of aervousness, starting from time to time, and gazing furtively 'about 'him. I hoped that his daughter was right in naming the 5th of 'October as the turning -point of his complaint, for it was' evident to me, as I lodke'd at his gleaming eyes and quivering hands, that a man could teat live long in such a state of nervous tension. T found on examination that hehad had theloose rails securely fastened so as to 'block up, :oar former tryst- ing place, and . thaugh I. prowled round the whole long line of fencing, '1 was unable to find any other place where an entrance could he effected., Here . and there between chinks toff the barrier I could catch gli'mp'ses of the Hall, and once I saw a sough - Noising, mlfddle-aged' man tatanfding at a wlindow at the lower floor, wham -a 1 ,supposedi to be Iset Stakes,: the coachman. 'Tlhere, was. no sign, 'how- ever, of Gla!balel or a£ 'Mtor'daun!t, and their absentee alarmed me, 1 Was con- vinced that, tio'less. they Were unldler some restraint, they would have managed to• comm'unicate with my sister 'or 'myself. My fears became more and more acute as day follow- ed day !without our seeing or. hearing anything of them. One morning—it was the second of Otctolber-!I ,was walking toward 'th'e Hall, hoping <that I might be fortun- ate enough to learn slome niews of my' darling, -when I observed 'a man pendhed upon. a"stone at the side of the road. A's I came nearer to him.'I could see that he was' a stranger, anld from his dusty clothes and dilapid- ated appearance Inc - seemed to have come frons • a distance. He had a great hunch of bread on his knee and a clasp knife in :his hand, but he 'he'd apparentlyjust finished his break- fast, for he brushed the ,crumb's off his lap and rose to his feet when he perceived me.. . Noticing the great height of the fellow, and that he still held his weapon, I kept well to the other side of the road, for I knew that destitution m!alkea men desperate and that the chain that glittered on my waistcoat might be too great a temptation to him upon this lonely highway. ,I 'Sees confirmed in my fears when I saw hint step out into the center of the road and bar my progress. "Well, my lad," I said, affecting an ease which 1, by no means felt, "What can I do for you this morning?" The fellow's face was the color of ma- hogany with exposure to the weather, and he had a deep scar from •the cor- ner of his mouth to his ear, which by nomeans improved his ajlpearance. His hair was grizzled, but his figure was stalwart, and his fur cap was cocked on one side so as to, give him a rakish, semi -military appearance. Altogether, he gave me the impres- sion of being one of the •most dang- erous types of tramp that I had ever fallen in with. Instead of replying to myquestion he eyed me for some time in silence with sullen, yellow -sot eyes, and then closed' his knife with a loud 'snick. "You're not a beak," he said; '.'too young for that, 1 guess. They had me in chokey at Paisley and they had me in chokey at Wigtown, but by the living thunder if another .of them lays a hand on the I'll make him remember Corporal Rufus Smith! It's a :darned fine country this,. where they won't give a 'man work, and then lay him by the 'heels for having no visible means of subsist- ence." "I am sorry to see an ,old soldier so reduced," said I. "What corps did you serve in ?" all Battery, Royal Horse Artil- lery. Bad . cess to the service and, every one in i1! Idere I am _nigh six- ty years of age, with a 'beggarly pen- sion of thirty-eight pound ten—not enough --to keep me in beer and batty." "I should have thought thirty-, eight pound ten a year would have been a nice help to you inyour old age," I' remarked. "Would you, though?" he answered with a sneer, pushing his weather- beaten .false ,forward until it was with- in a foot of my own. "Haw much d'ye think that slash with a tulwar is wonth? And my foot with all the hones rattling about like a bagful of deice? What's that worth, eh? And a liver like a sponge, and ague when- ever the wand comes round to the east—what's the market value'' of that '? Would yolu take the lot for a dirty forty pound a year—would you new?" "We are poor folk in this part of the country," I answered. "You would pass for a thigh ,man down here," "They are simple folk and they have simple tastes," said he, drawing a 'black pipe from his pocket and stufiiinig it 'with tobacco, "I knotty what, goad living is, anti while I have a shilliing in • my podkelt I like to spend it as a shilling should be spent, I'•ve fought for my coutetry and my country lea's drone darned little for me. I`]'1 go to the Rnoshiana, so. help mel I could show them how to cross the-I-iim!alay;as, so' that it iwaa?kl. puzzle 'either Afghanis or iBritish•` to stop 'em: What'% -that sec eh worth in St, ,Petersburg,' I wonder!" "I'm as!haimed'to hear an old e j - tier speak sq, even injest," said I , sternly, y, Jest, indeed!" he cried, with a great oath, "I'd have .done it years ago, if the Rooshians' lj'ad been game to take it up. Skotbeloffff was the best Of the 'bunch, "unch but he's been snuffed out. However, that ':$ neither here nior there. What I want to ask you is whether you've ever heard anything in ,this quarter of :a man called IIiea- t'h'erisltonre, the sante who used to be colonel of the, 1l1at Bengalees? They told me at :W'igtotwn that he ' lived somewhere down this, way?" 'He' lives• int • that large house over :there,", said• I, pointing to Cloolmber Tawer. "You'll find the avenue gate a little way dawn the 'ro'ad, but the general ,isn't over fond ,olf sisttor's," 'The last pant _o'f1 my speech was lost upon Corporal Rufus 'Smith; for the 'inst'anit that I pointed out the gate he set off hopping down the road. His mode of progression:', Was the moat sigul'ar which I have ever seen, for he ,would only put his right l'o'ot to the ground once in every h'al'f amen strides,' while he worked' so hard and attained such a momentum with the. other ]•imb that he got over the ground at an astan•ishin'g speed. I was .so surprised that''I stood in the roadway gazing alter his 'hulkintg figure u'nti'l the thought suddentlAy struck me that s'onte serious' result might come Tram a meeting 'between a man of such b'lunit speech and the choleric , hot-he'ade,d general. .l there- fore 'followed him as he hopped along like •soave great clumsy -bird, and ov- ertook 'him• at the avenue gate, .where he stood grasping the ironwork and peering through at the dark carriage - drive beyond, He's, a sly old fox," he said, look- ing round at me and nodding his head in t'he direction of the Hall. "'He's a deep old, dog. Ansi that's his ,bunga- low, is it, among the trees?" "Ilhat is his house," I : answered; "but I _should advise you to keep a more civil tongue in your head if you intend to speak with the gen- eral: He is not a manto stand any nonsense." 'SRigh't you are. He was always a hard nut to .crack. But isn't this him coming down the .avenue?" I' looked through the gate and saw that it was indeed the general, who having either seen us or been attract- ed by our voices, was hurrying down toward us. As he',advanced he would stop front time to time and peer at us through the dark- shadow thrown by the trees, as if he were irresolute whether to come on or 1n0. "He's recomtoiberingl" whispered my .companion with a hoarse chuckle. "FIe's afraid—and I.kn'ow what lye's afraid of. He won'•t be caught in. a trap if he can help it, the old un 1" Then suddenly standing on his tip- toes and waving his hand through the'bars of the gate, he shouted at the top of his voice, '1Come on my gallant commandant! 'Come on! the coast's clear, and no .enemy in sight." 'This familiar address had the ef- fect of reassuring the general, for he came right for us, though, I could I could tell 'by his heightened color that his temper was at boiling point. '+W'hat, you here, Mr. West?" he said, as his eye fe'li, upon me. "What is it you dant, and why have you brought this fellow with you?" "I have not brought hilt with me, sir," 'I answered, 'feeling rather dis- gusted at being' made responsible for the presence of the disreputable -look- ing vagabond beside me. "I found. him on the road here, and 'he -.desired to be, directed to you, so I showed him the way. I know nothing of him myself." "W'h•at do you want with me, then?" the general asked sternly turn- ing to my 'comipanioat. "Pf you, please, sir," said the ex corporal, speaking in a " whining voice, "'and 'touching his thole -skin cap with a • humility .,which contrasted strangely wwi'tih' the ,previoti's rough in deipeitce o'f his 'bearing, "I''tn an old gunner in the queen's. service, sir, and kuowin•g your name by hearing it :in India 11- thought that ,maylbe you would take me as your, , groom or gardener, or ,give me anyother place as happened to be vacant." "I .alm isorry that a cannot do any- thing for 'you, m'y:mien," the old sold- ier answered, impasslively,' ' "Then) you'll give me a little just. to help me on any way, sir," said the cringing mend'icantt. "You won't see an old c!om:rade go to the ,bad for the sake of .a few rtepe'es. I• was swath Sa1e'Is bri,gald'e in 'the •;Passes, ale, and I was at the second taking 'o'f Calbul." General ',,Hte'atherstone :looked keen- ly at the supplicant, bait was silent to •hms.. app'e'al, "I ,was in iG!huznee;wi'th, you when the wall's were all shock 'dawn by am .earthquake,. and when we found for- ty thfouisland IAifgh'ans within 'gunshot of us, You 'ask me •about et, and ,you'll sed .whether ' II'm lying 'or not. We went tlarouglhcall dais' when we were; young, ;and uiolw:that. we are old' you ate .v to live in a fine !bungalow, and 11 am' to starys by the roadside. It don't seem to me kb be fair." ; "You are an. impertinent ;cow:ld- `I'1 you hadd said the general. rel," s Y been a ood soldier You would never b t g need to ask IncAWhelp. I. shall not give you a farthing.' "One word more, 'sir," cried the tramp, for The other was turning ras d ' away; ":"I've been in the 1e Pass." !The old soldier sprang rounid as if the ,words had 'been a plistol-shot. "Wh'aatr—wheat ,d'ye' meant?" lie' sitam- "I''ve Ibsen iti••thte Terada Pass, sir, add iI knew a man there called ,Ghoo- lab ;Shah:" !These 1als't words, were .hissed out. in an un'd'ertone; ,and a malicious grin overspread the .face .elf 'the speaker. Their effect upon the ge'nteral was extraordinary. He fairly staggered back' film the gateway, and, his 'yel low countenance branc'he'd' to a 1!tv- id'm'o',tttled gray. Ron a nto'm'ett't 'he he was Colo overcame to speak. tilt last he gasped out,. "Gulool'atb SIhahl —who aide you Who know IGlhoolab S'h'ah?" "Take another 'look,' ' said the tramp; "your sight is not as .keen as it Was forty years ago." • 'The ge'ne'ral took a long, earnest I'o'ok at the. unkempt ' 'wanderer in front of him, and as he ga'ze'd II saw the light of re'co'gnition spring up in his eyes. "God ,bless 'my soul!" the cried, '"Why, 'ft's (Corporal ,Rufus Smith."' • "You're& .come on it at last," said the other, •chuckling to 'himself. ' `"I was Wondering hlow l'on'g it would be before you knew me. And 'first of all just unlock this gate, will you? It's hard Ito "talk through 'a grating. Tit's too much like ten minutes, with. a visitor in the cells." 'The general, 'whose face, still bore evidences of his agitation, undid the 'b'olts, with nervous, trentibling fingers. 'The recogni'ti'on of Corporal Rufus Smith had, I fancie'd, ibeen. a relief to hint, and yet he plainly allowed by his manner that he regardie!d his pre- sence as by no means en unmixed blessing. "Wley, 'corporal," he said, as the gate 'swung open, "I 'have often won- dered whether you were dead or al- ive, but I never expected to see you again, 'Hew'h'ave you been all these long years?" "How shave II been the corporal answered :gruffly. 'Why I have been drunk for the most part. IW'hen I draw money'I lay it out in liquor, and as long as that lasts I get some peace in life. When I'm cleaned out I go upon tramp, partly in the hope of picking up the price of a dram, and partly in. order to look for. you." "You'll excuse 'us ,talking about these .private matters, ;West," the general said, looking round at tie; for 1 was beginning to shove away. "Dan''t leave us. You know some- thing of this matter already, and may find yourself entirely' in the swim with• us some of these clays." Corporal Rufus tsmith looked round- at ire in blank astonishment. "In the swim with' us!" he said. "However did he get there?" "V.oluatarily, voluntarily," t h e general explained, hurriedly .singing his voice. "He is a neighbor of .mine, and he has volunteered his 'help in case 'I should ewer need ;it," This expl3nationt seemed, if any- thing, to increase the big stranger's surprise `Well, if that don't lick cock-fightm'g1" he 'exclaimed, con- templating me with admiration. "I never heard tell of such a 'thing," "And now 'Shat you have found me, Oorponal' Snaith," said the tenant of Clooniber, "what is it that you want of me?'' "Why, every: I want a roof to cover me, and clothes to wear, and food to eat, and above' all 'brandy to drink," "Well, I'll take you iti and do 'what I can for you," said the general slow- ly. lowly. "But look here, ;Smith; we must have discipline; I'm the general and you are the corporal; I am The mas- ter and you are the than. N'dw, don't lett me have to remind you of that again." !The tramp drew himself up to Itis full height and raised his • right 'hand with the palm {forward in a military salute, "I• can take you on es gardener and get mid of the fellow I.have got A's to lsrantdy, :ylou' shall have an allow- ance and no more. We are not deep drinkers at the Hall." ` • "Don't y'o'u take opium, or 'brandy, or nothing yourself, sir?" asked Cor- poral 'Rufus ,S'mlth a'Nothing," the ,general, said, Ifirm- "Well, all a can say is, that ;you've ,golt more .nerve and pluck :thlam if shall ever have. I dlonF;t 'wander nolyn at your winning that cross in the mutiny, Lf I was to go on listening night afiter 'night to ithem , things Without ever takinig a drop of same- thing to cheer any heart— Why, it would albout !drive me silly," !General Hea'therstoutle' put his hand up„ as if afraid' that his companion nt!ightt say too much: "I must thank you, Mr, West," he said, "for 'having shown this man pry door..I would' not willingly allow an old ;comrade; however liumlble to go to the bad, and 'if 1 did :not ael.nowledg e his claim more readily it was simply be- cause I h'al my 'doubts as to wheth- er he Was really What "Inc represented himself. Just :wait tip to the 'Hall, corp!onal, 'add 1 shall follow you in a minute." i "Poor dew'1,he ,cotutinued, as Inc watched the newcomer hobbling up the avenue in the ungainly manner which 1 have des!cri'be;d. "ITe got a 64-p'ound shot on, his foot, and it cruslh'ed, the 'hones, but ,the ab'stina'te fool would not let the doc'tors take it .off. I `t)elmember hint Maw as a seasart }^oung soidier in Afghanistan He nand -II were associated in •`some queer adventures, which I may tell you of some day, and T naturally feel sympathy, toward himand wrovllid be- friend him. Did the tell ,fou anything albo'ut: me before I came?" `"Ncet va w'o'rd," I replied, 'SOh,"'-s'aid the. general, .care'less'ly, but with an evident.expression of re- lief. ,"I thought perhaps lie might :have said 'alom•ethintg . of oil times. Weil, I must go and look after him, or the se•rvahts will be frightened, for he isn't a beauty to 'look at. 'Good- 'byl" With a !waive .of the h'an'd the, old man turned away frotin me mid hurried up the drive after .this . tuts expected addition to, his houses ol'd, while I sltrolled on round the . high blank paling, peering through every. chink 'between the •'pllanks, but with- out seeing a trace either of Mar -daunt or Of his sister. 'I have now brought this statement down to the canting of Corporal Ru fus ;Smith, xahioh will prove to 'Inc - the 'beginning ''o'f the end. I have set down soberly and in order the events which brought us to Wigtow*nshire, the arrival of the 'Heatherstones at Cloomber, 'the many strange incid- ents ,which excited 'first our curiosity and finally our intense interest in that family, and I have 'briefly touch- ed, upon • the circumstances " which brought my sister and .myself into a closer' and more personal rel'ation- ship' with them. I •think, that • there cannot be a better moment than this to hand the narrative over to those who ha'd means of knowing some- thing of what was going on inside Clooniber during the months that I was obserVing it from without. The evidence of the two individuals Whose statements I shall now lay before the reader, 'does not, it is' true amount to very much, but there are a few not- able facts contained in it, and it cor- roborate'$ 'and amplifies my own ex perienice, • Israel Stakes, the coaCh- mad, proved to be unable to read, or write, but 'Mr. .'Mathew •'Clarlc, the Presbyterian minister at 'Stoneykirk, has copied :down his deposition, daily attested by Ibe cross set opposite his name. The good clergyman has, I fancy, put some slight polish upon the narrator's story, which d • rather regret, as it might have been more interesting, if less intelligible,' when reported verbatim. It still preserves, however, considerable 'traces of Is- rael's in'd'ividuality, and may be re- garded as an exact record tea what he saw and did while in ,General 'Hea- tlterstoaae's service, CHAPTER VIII. • Statement of Israel Stakes, Copied and authenticated by the Reverend Mathew Clark, Presbyter- ian minister of IStoneykirk,- in Wig= towntshire.) :Mister. Fothergill West and the meenlister say that I mann tell all I can aboot General Heatlterstone and his 'hoose, but that 'I m'aunna' say Muckle aboot mysel' bdcause the rea- ders wouldna' care • to hear 'alboot tic or any affairs. I am na sae sure o'. that, for the Stakes is a family weel kearned and respecked on bent' sides o' the lh'order, and 'there'satony in Nithsdale and A,nneitd ele as would be gey pleased to Bear mews a' the son o' Archie 'Stakes, o' Ecelefechan. I mann e'en do a5 I'm tau'ld, how- ever, for. Mr. Wesit's sake, hoping he'llno forget me When I chance to hae a favor tae, ask, 011110.01d rascal was well paid for his trouble, so he need not have made such •a favor of it; J•. F.W,) I'm No ah!le tae unite sysel' because nay 'feyther scut me oot to scare craws instead o' sending me tae school, but on; the ibher hoed he brought me 'up in the •preen'ciples and .practice o' the real kirk o' elle 'Oovenant, for which •ntay the Lord be .praised'', Iit was lash 'May twol'tti;o'ntle that. the factor body, Meister McNeil, ram ower tae pie in .,the street are !speer - ed ,whether 1 has' in want o' a place as a, coachman and gaird'ner. As it fell oot'I chanced, tae be on the look dot for something o' five scat mysel' at ,the time, bat I weave ewer quick to let him see that,vl-'wanted it. "Ye• cantale. it 'or" leave, it," says he sihlarp Dike. •"Ilt's a guild place, ;a'nd' tihere's many would be gla d o''t: I'f ye want it ye can came up tae my, office at gas be Continued), PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR. H. HUGH ROSS, 'Physiciva and Surgeon. Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and 't+hroat. Office' and tiN- dense behind Dominion Bank. Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104. ' • DR. F. J. BURROWS, Seafanth. Office and ;residence, Goderieh street, east of the United Church. Conner for the County of Huron. Telephone No. 46. ;DR. C.' MiAOKIAY.-C. Mackey,. horror graduate of Trinity University 'and gold medallist of Trinity Medical College; member of the "College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.: DLR. F. J. R. HO'RISIT,ER-Eye, Ear Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medi- cine, University of . Toronto 1897. Late Assistant New : York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's' Eye, and Golden Square throat 'hospi- tals, London, England. At Comm- ercial Hotel, Seaforth, 3rd Monday is each month, from • 11 amt. to 3 past. DLR. W. C. SIPRIOiAT.—Graduate ad Faculty of Medicine, University, of Western Ontario, London. Member of College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Ontario. 'Office in rear of Aberhart's drug' store, Seefor,th. Phone 90. Hours 1.30.4, p.m., 7.30 -9 p.m. Other hours by appointment. Dental DR. J. A. MUNN, Successor to Dr, R. R. Ross, graduate of North- western University, Chicago, Ill. 'Li- centiate Royal College of ,Dental Sur- geons, Toronto. Office over Sills' hardware, Main St,, Seaforth. Phone 151. • DR. F. J; BIEOHELY, graduate Royal College 'of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R, Smith's, grocery, Main St., Seaforth. Phones, office 185W, residence 1853. Auctioneer. 'GIDOIRIGIE ELLIOTT, Licensed' Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date a5 The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guranteed. WATSON AND REIDv . REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Succssors to James 'Watson) MALN ST., SIEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Coo FARM AND I'SOLATE'D TOWN PIRl0siERalY, 0 N L Y, INSURED Officers — John "Bennewies,''B'rod- hagen, :President•, Jas. Connolly, 'God- erich, Vice -'Pres,; D. F., McGregor, Seaforth No, 4, 'Sec, -Tres. Directors—Geo, R. McCartney, 'Sea- forthNo. 3l 'Alex." Broad'foot;` 'Sea - forth No. 3; James Evans, Seaforth' No. ,5; IRobt. •Ferris, Blyth No. 1; Jas. Sivoldipe, Walton No: 4; John Pepper, Brucefield; William "Knox,'' Landes - borough. Agents—'Jas. Watt, 'Blyth No. 1;'W. E, iHinichley, (Seaforth; . J. A, Murray, Seaforth No, 3; W. J.' Yeo, •Ol'inaoa' No..3; R. G. I3anmuth, Bornholm. Auditors Jas. 'Kerr, ISea'fanth; Thos, Moylan, Seaforth No. 5. 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