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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1927-10-06, Page 6The House of Mystery When Jealousy Casts its 1Jg1y Shad - cellars; the door leading down is locked," "But there was a light!" protested Philippa. And there have been pec- ple here lately. Look!" They inspected the stone kitchen in ow Aorose the Path of True Love,{ which they were standing. Only the Unexpected Can Avert a On a table were so1n0 dirty cups. Tragedy. To Philippa and Ned, the , In a cupboard were wood and paper, Jealous Young People of This and iu a pail before the eanpty•hearth Thrilling Story, There Came Sud- was a good supply of coal. A kettle denly a Peril Which They Had to stood in the grate. Face Together or Perish. "Might almost say we've wandered into a house of ghosts," suggested Ned, cheerfully. Philippa shuddered. Intuition told her something was wrong about this mysterious house of vanishing lights and unseen inhabitants. She didn't tray anything to Ned, however. "Well," she remarked, "the best thing we clan do is to make a fire. We shall be warm and dry then for the night. I don't believe in ghosts, any- way„ I few minuter later found Philippa, with Ned's assistance, persuading a rather reluctant fire to light up. Half -way through the task Philippa spoke suddenly. "I say, Ned, I've been an awful pig to -day, and I'm sorry. It was really Kitty Claire's fault, suggesting we leers in love and trying to make us both look fools. . . So that we tried to show we weren't, and quarrelled. Philippa's rich, dark complexion grew crimson as she spoke. Perhaps, though, it was just the reflection from the burning wood. "It wouldn't be such a bad idea if we were," suppested Ned, hopefully. An amused light sparkled in Philip - pa's dark eyes as she carefully laid on another piece of coal. "It would make Kitty mad, any- way," she laughed. The fire was now burning cheerfully. "And now," suggested Ned, rising, "I've got an idea. I saw some rugs in one of the rooms upstairs. They'd be something to sleep on—better than stone, anyway. I'll go for them•:" A little later he returned with a -few rugs. There was hardly a luxurious supply of them, but Philippa, who al- ways took her troubles cheerfully, laughed as Ned regarded his meagre findings ruefully. "Better than nothing at all events. I think I'll take my shoes off, any- way! !" remarked Philippa. , "P'raps there are more," suggested Ned, optimistically. "I'll go for an- other prowl." He -picked up his lamp, and went off once more. A few minute 'later, re- turning, he looked round the room in amazement. Philappa was gone! He flashed his lamp Chen, and called her wan no answer. Ned could hardly believe his eyes. 'What had happened to her? Her shoes were on the floor, still warm— but the girl had vanished as complete- ly as if the floor had opened up be- neath her. He stood for a moment puzzled. An eerie sensation crept over him. This forsaken house of lights that disap- peared like ghosts—what strange and terrible things might not happen here? He pulled himself together, though, and set off, lamp in hand, to search the house. It was as empty as ever, and no Philippa answered his anxious calls. After wandering through the dark passages of the ramblng old mansion, he found his way back to the kitchen. Then, with a sudden idea, he moved to the door. Might she be outside? It was locked! Ned went pale for a moment. Whoever was responsible Lor Philippa's disappearance was de- termined that he too should not leave the house. They were both trapped —far from help, At any rate, Ned decided, there was a human agency at work! Someone, unseen, was loose—perhaps dogging his footsteps!.. He glanced round for a weapon. On the cupboard door was a soiled towel on a roller. Ned detached the roller and felt it critically. It would be of some use against the mysterious marauders! Then Ned thought rapidly. There was only one place where they could have been hidden when the cyclists came in—in the cellars, below the barred door, and one, one of them By Richard Atwood. Philippa Exeter, the handsome, well- built girl riding in the second rank of the cycling club on its way to Riverdown, flushed crimson at a fresh witticism. It was lucky, she thought angrily, that it was too (lark for her sudden color to be noticed As quietly as she could she let her- self drop hack to the tail of the team. It was too bad, she told herself bit- terly, of Kitty Claire. Just because Philippa and Ned Keither had been good friends, Kitty had been sudden- ly moved to make them the subject of her jokes all day. Amusing to Kitty, perhaps. When she had suggested to the rest that Ned Keither; rather shy and nervous as he was, and the reserved Philippa were in love, things had become try- ing for them at once. The two had grown awkward straightaway, and half way through the day's run had openly quarrelled, much to the joy of the mischievous Kitty. "Bitty Claire's a jealous little cat, and Ned is an awkward fool," Philip- pa told herself. Just then she heard a sudden pop. A Puncture? "I'll catch the rest of you up in a moment," she told the boy in front. A minute Iater, alone in the dusty road, with the red reflectors of the team growing dim, Philippa dis- mounted, and examined her tyre. In her present mood she didn't want help --from anyone. Nevertheless, it was a nasty job. A quarter of an hour passed, and found her still patching a nasty tear, by the light of her lamp propped up on a bank. Sha was making headway with the e job when she was interrupted. A cyclist came spinning down the road, and dismounted by her. "Hallo, Philippa] What's keeping yon?" She looked up. "I don't see that it's any business of yours, Ned Keither," she told him coldly. "I'm not so anxious for your company as you seemed to think this afternoon, anyway." "The rest sent me lied Ned, awkwardly. hand, ane way." He mended the puncture in silence, except for an icy "Thanks" from the girl. They mounted and rode off af- ter the team. "IIave to catch them up," ventured Necl, breaking the silence suddenly. "Obviously," Philippa told him more freezingly than ever. In the distance a growl like thunder was heard, and rain began to fall. The two put on speed. The team were stopping at Riverdown that night. "I say," said Philippa suddenly. Necessity forced her to speak. "Look at that signpost! We're off our road! We must have taken the wrong turn- ing.,, The pair halted. It was the fact, and things looked nasty. Charming as was the countryside the club had chosen for is week -end spin, it was de- solate. They had not passed a soul. They took what seemed , the most hopefail route, but another half-hour found them still far from anywhere, and very Net. "The first house we come to, we put up for the night!" suggested Ned. Philippa was going to answer sar- castically, but mutual misfortune had 'blunted the edge of the quarrel. "And the sooner we get toone the better. I say, it was decent of you to conte back to me. But I wish I hadn't got you into this mess, too." "A good thing I am here," Ned told her. "Look, there's a light." They slowed. down. Across the fields, a good way off in the dark, a dim yellow light flickered. Ned dis- mounted, and made for a gap in the hedge. "Shelter at last," he suggested, back for you," "Let's give a round the kit - name. There Philippa laughed ,and the wet pair was loose in the house, waiting to pushed their machines up a muddy catch him unawares. For, while he track towards the guiding light. was touring the house, someone had Farther off then had expected, a big returned to lock the kitchen door. house rose up against the night. The Ned made his plans. He took off only light was from the back. They his shoes and stole noiselessly to a pushed on upthe drive to the steps r. There, corner by the barred don with uplifted roller, he waited for the raider to return. His plans were well lad. Five min- utes' suspense; then quiet footsteps were heard, and Ned in his corner caught sight of a man coning down the passage. Just as the man put his key to the door, Ned brought his roller down. It (lid its work effectively.; the man fell stunned. Ned dragged his prostrate enemy into the shadows, opened the door and went down a flight of stone steps. There was a patch of light at the foot of them Then, roller uplifted, Ned emerged cautiously into a big cellar. The enemy was not there. But in a cor- ner sprawled Philippa. She had been tied up with rope and gagged by her captors. Ned ran across the cellar and' un- tied the gag. While he undid the Philippa brought la the machines, ropes, Philippa explained in a rapid wvhile Ned, taking a lamp, went off whisper, into the passage beyond. • There are three' of them in the "Soniething !tinny, Philippa,," he house, We've stumbled upon some 'tor'it her: "I've been over the house, secret, and they don't Mean us .te get radii% it's empty. No people—X ealled out alive. X wee taken by surprise ottt on every door—practically no fur- from the beef(, gagged, and carried nittrte.. ;Seem ayerywhere extent the down here. 'Then, atter giving me a< few kicks, the beasts Went off to get you too," • "Well, there's one out of action,"' said Ned cheerfully. The crisis found .him buoyant, his nervousness gong. "We'll get the others now. Philippa rose to her foot a little cramped, but ready for action. She tossed her blank hair out of her eyes and glanced round for weapons.- The cellar, lit by an oll-lamp, was practically vacant. A ''heap of leant lay in a corner, and somo strange tools. As she was glancing round, a sound of footsteps was heard above. The other two Were coming down! Ned and Philippa, tense with excite- ment, crouched in the shadows, welt- ing to make a sudden spring. Un- luckily, Ned's roller was on the other side of the cellar. But, as it was, the two intruders were taken suddenly by surprise. , Ned flung himself on one with a sudden jolt to the jaw that sent the man rolling, while Philippa collared the other and brought him to the ground. Taken unawares, the two raiders nevertheless fought desperately, They- were heywere both beefy, beery individuals in very bad training.;- their opponents were both athletic young people. Ned was thin but •wiry, and as his man staggered up he sent him reeling again with another uppercut to point. Philippa had scrambled on top of her fallen enemy, who was still makng frantic efforts to rise. - against the wall, the cyclist's keen eyes noticed the man's hand go to his pocket. Like a flash he was on him, his sinewy hand on the other's wrist. Ned dragged out a revolver—and the fight was up. Ned didn't know how the revolver worked, but that didn't matter, for his enemy was un- aware of it. His hands went up like clockwork. He stepped back, and by Ned's di- rection moved alongside his partner While the cyclist covered them 'with the revolver, Philippa tied up their hands and feet with the cords they had used for her. Ned and Philippa dragged down the other man, who was still unconscious, and ranged him against the wall with, the rest. Ned surveyed his three dejected and ruffianly prisoners. "Well," he told them cheerily, "the game's up now, you know. Tm going to get the police to take charge of you all. I rather fancy, since you were so anxious to keep some secret, that they will be very interested. "Now, one ga you can tell me the best way to the nearest police -station. It had betbee be the right way, too, or you'll get hurt when I come back?' After a few minutes, one of then, sullenly gave him ,the necessary. di- rections. While Ned mounted guard over the captives with his revolver, Philippa cycled off to the station before the front door, and Ned knock- ed heavily. There was no reply to his repeated knocks. As he turned puzzled. to Philippa, who was at the foot of the steps holding their machines, she ex- claimed: x-claimed: "Look! the light's gone out!" "P'raps they've just gone to bed," suggested Ned. "Well, round to the back we go. They can't refuse us." They made their •way to the outly- ing wing at the back from where the light had cone, They -found the door. Ned knocked, and, getting no answer, tried the liana die. After a moment's hesitation, they stepped into a stone kitchen. Ned detached his lamp and put it on a table. "Coyne on in," he said. "I'll go and find the people here, and tell them we ';want shelter." Bishop of Ripon Who advocates closing of laboratories for the period cade. scientific of a de - Sour Cream Some New and Attractive Ways to Add Zest to the Menu by the Use of Sour Cream To keep sour cream, pour into a clean glass bottle, cover and set in a cool place. In this way several days' remnants can be combined and used when needed. Bake slices of halibut in sour cream, for a delicious variation of the usual baked fish dish. Or use sour cream ,in place of milk in preparing white sauce for codfish. Potatoes mashed in hot sour cream have a fine texture and excellent flavor. Sour cream poured over to almost cover scalloped potatoes while baking makes a delectable dish. But do not cook sour cream too long or it will curdle. In many countries the best cooks stir two or three tablespoons of fresh- ly soured cream into soups just be- fore serving them. Beef, chicken, tomato and beet soups are especially improved by it. Hot sour cream seasoned with salt and a little celery seed and then poured over chicken fricassee gives an indescribably good flavor. Grated horseradish used with sour cream is a favorite salad dress- ing in many households. Veal With Sour Cream 'Bone and cut short as many veal chops as are needed. Lard on one side. Have ready four tablespoons of butter, one cup of sour cream, one well -beaten egg yolk, salt, pepper and flour. Season the chops lightly with salt and pepper and dip the 'unlarded About forty minutes later, she re- "side in flour. Put the butter in the turned with four policemen from frying pan and when lint add the Riverdown, telling them the tale on the way. They handcuffed the prison- ers. "Well, sir," a constable told Ned, "it's no wonder they were anxious about you finding the house. They're forgers -these are some of their things on the- floor. They fixed on this empty house to use, and like fools gave themselves away by showing that light. If you two young people hadn't come across them like that, they might be free men still. "I suppose. you two will came along with us to the village. A bit more comfortable than here, for the rest of the night. By the way, there's an item of news, sir, that'll be of interest to you and your young lady. There's quite a biggish reward out for these men. Come in handy for getting married on." He winked at Ned. "I think you're about right," said Ned. But he said it as a question, and he looked at Philippa as he spoke. • "So do I," answered the girl, glanc- ing downwards as she spoke. Hostess—"Yes, a lovely old clock, but always fast." Guest—"Ah, early American!' • chops. Fry slowly, turning to brown evenly; this will take about twenty minutes. Place them in a pan, pour sour cream over them and bake slow- ly twenty minutes more. Just be- fore serving, pour the sauce from the pan onto the beaten egg yolk, mixed with a little cream and serve on the Chops. Sour Cream Johnny Cake One cup of sour cream, one teaspoon of soda, one teaspoon of salt, one- third cup of sugar, one egg, three- fourths cup flour and three-fourths cup of cornmeal. Beat the egg well. Add salt, sugar and flour and mix until very smooth. set into the oven. The juices boil up Add the sour cream and cornmeal. pickled peaches and from benesth and cook the fruit. Syrup from Dissolve the soda in a little boiling When done, fill each jar with either pickled watermelon rind may be used µfl+or and stir ;n the tact thine be- lohot water{to make delicious apps;Tickle. Steam more boiling appe sauce r, and seal as usual. ' sweet apples until they can be .pierced Apples for Salads and Dumplings with a straw, add to the reheated Apples that hold their shape when , syrup, bring to a boil ant seal in small 000ked are best for dumplings, sal- sterilized jars, ads or garnishing for roast pork. When to be used for the two latter purposes, unpeeled, red -skinned ap- ples cut into halves give the prettiest effect, but care must be taken tboroughly to cook the skins. Baking is the surest means ,of keeping the pieces ufibroken. As the fruit is pre- pared, drop each piece into scalding hot water and when thereens enough for a pint can, pack the apples into the hot sterilized jar, pour over them "enough thin boiling sugar syrup to cover, lay the sterilized cap on top and set the can in the hot oven. A little red vegetable coloring added to the syrup will make the fruit very attrac- tive in a salad or as a garnish. When the apples may be pierced with a straw, fill elle jars, adjust the rubbers • Pigs a. share in profits A Real Estate Investment combining the following unusual 'advantages to the investor; 1. An assured interest return of seven per cent. 2. A perpetual ownership in The Commerce & Transportations Building and a participation in dividends after the original investment has been returned with seven •per cent. interest. 3. A bonus of common stock and a vote in the management of one of the finest' buildings in Canada. 4. An interest in one of the most prominent corners in the City of Toronto, rapidly increasing in value and importance. For further particulars fill in the attached coupon and mail to ems: G*STIMSON M urIITED The OldestEST.1883 Bond Mouse In Canada SOO BAY ST. TORONTO • For 44 years every Bond Issue recommended and solid by G. A. Stimson & Co., Ltd,, ' has paid interest and principal 'when due. .. __. _.. . __,.�...,.. �....._. Without obligation, Bend me further particulars. NAME ADDRESS W.L. Apple Recipes In September and October one can often pick up apples for nothing or for so little that it seems a shame, not to add them to the winter's sup- ply of appetizing food, Just a few minutes spent in the kitchen in the autumn will mean many pleasurable meals a little Iater. Sweet Pickled Apples Break into Pieces a two-inch stick of cinnaman and tie it in a cheese- cloth bag With 1 teaspoonful a .ch of whole cloves and the whole allspice. allow 1 cupful of sugar, %. teaspoon - Add 3 pounds of light brown sugar to ful of ground cinnamon and a pinch or 1 quart of vinegar; drop it in the ginger. Simmer down to the desired spice bag and boil it for 15 minutes. consistency, adding more or other Peel, core and cut into quarters, rather spices to suit the taste, if necessary. tart, well flavored apples, and simmer By taking every chance possible to them, a few at a time, in the sydup, 'cook hot pulp in the oven iustead of until they are almost done. If the over a direct flame one can Prevent fruit is not delicate pink in color, add the waste of considerable material and a little beet juice to the syrup. Pack time. If a flame must be used, put the apples carefully in hot, sterilized an asbestos sheet under the kettle. jars and leave them in a hot oven Pour the apple butter into sterilized while the sydup is' being boiled down glasses or a stone•crock and seal with rapidly for about 10 minutes. Fill the melted paraffin. hot jars with the syrup and seal.' Apple Honey These are delicious served with pork. For variety, add to 2 quarts of the Apples for Pies end Sauce apple butter 1 cupful of honey. Heat slowly but do not boil after the honey is added. Seal with paraffin. Apple Catsup Wipe, core and quarter 16 large cooking apples, cover them with water and simmer until they are wen done. and covers, and seal. Test for leaks and store in a dark place to preserve the color. Such apple clips on beds of lettuce, filled with chopped nuts or -celery, with a dash of mayonnaise and' a bit of currant :jelly as a garnish, make a combination as delightful to the taste as to the eye. Apple Butter Wash apples, core without peeling, cut into pieces and cook with as lit- tle water as possible until the fruit is very soft. This may best be done in the oven. Put the–fruit throughr a sieve, and to each 3 cupfuls of pulp Fruit that .cooks up into a mushy consistency is fine for apple sauce and pies. Thoroughly cooked without sugar and sealed securely in sterilized 'jars, the apples keep well. Sugar may be added as needed, when it will prob- ably be cheaper than during the can-, Rub through a sieve and to each 4 ning season. cupfuls of pulp allow 2. teaspoonfuls Canning of this kind is easily done of white pepper, 11/4 cupfuls of sugar, in the oven whiles other baking is going on. The rack from the broiler may be set on the bottom of the oven to keep the jars from getting too hot. The sauce may be partly cooked over the flame and finished by baking in the jars in the oven, or the apples may be put into the cans as they are prepared, covered with hot water and 1 teaspoonful each of mustard and all- spice, 11/3 teaspoonfuls of cinnamon, 1 tablespoonful of salt, ,1 large onion, grated, and 2% cupfuls on cider vine- gar. Add to the aeple pulp, bring slowly to a boil and simmer until of the right consistency, about 11/4 hours. Seal while hot, Sweet Apple Pickle fore baking. Bake in a moderate oven twenty minutes. Serves six. This bread is delicious served with a luncheon of salad and cold meat, tea and Johnny cake being the only hot dishes. Paquin Gras Grate five small, cold, boiled pota- toes finely. Mix with them five heap- ing tablespoons of flour, a saltspoon of salt and two beaten eggs. Mix well together, add one-fourth cup of thick sour cream, in which has been stirred a half teaspoon of baking soda. Drop by spoonful into deep, hot fat, These are particularly appropriate to serve with smelts or with any kind of amaa fish. Enough for four. "John, I wish you'd bring me home one of those tobloids." "The kind you take with a glass of water?" ,"No; the kind you take with a grain of salt." A Scene at Meadowbrook 5t'µ '••4 t,+••se "A SAVE" • A view 'of the.the Sour finest horsemen of the' British lntc+rnaticnal Poo challenge cup 'match between Ariny 1n India and the tour best iii thUnited Suites. "' W The Helpful Lemon. Patient—"So you think, ' doctor, lemon a day will help?" Doctor—"I think you can count on the lemon aid." Electric. A man was arrested and brought before the magistrates. � Magistrate (to prisoner)—"What id your pante, occupation, and what are you charged with?" Prisoner --"My name is Sparks. 1 am an electrician, and I em charged with assault and battery.' Magistrate—"Officer, put this pan in a dry cell.." , +, Health visitor (who, on a previous visit, .had 'given a thermometer to an old couple itt a stuffy cottage)—"I hope you're not letting the red lino go up above the 60 mark" Old John --"Oh, to, miss, assooct as I finds it climbing up too high I takes it out in the garden and eo018 it down!" Widow (to daughter)--''Whenyou are my age it will be time enough to dram's of a husband." banghter-- y'~ 'es, rawtna, for the second time." a