Charred Wood

objurgation as he recognized the man speaking to the clerk. Mark's thoughts were no longer of holy things, for

could, Mark shook hands with the detective, greeting him with a fair amount of cordiality, for, perso

wered. "I can't say the same of you, Mr. Griffin. I knew you w

ant to see me for? No, no. I am bad material for you to work on. Bett

you think, Griffin. By th

N

l join m

ks; I

a corner and ta

Saunders began. When he did, it w

and looking straight at Mark, "Griffin, w

take refuge again in the picturesque slang which the

do. What are y

show a little pique, "you have remarkable

Griffin. I am not a bo

rk's turn

information to me. I knew it

that tell

that you make up splendidly as

ness, but it is my business. Now, look here, Griffin, I want you to help instead of hindering me.

, "the constable has not

e seen h

rywh

en if he is not a good detective." Saunders

nings now. He knew well ho

l, interested i

aunders h

ark quietly, "sit down. What

d to Miss Atheson?

n't sa

in. "You know nothing

ds are good enough

s the Pa

er. He fixed them on Saunders, and h

Saunders?

hat Ruth Atheson i

who is

hard at Mark for what seemed a long time

and ought to be given a job as town crier, or you

ledge which you possess. Get it off your mind, man-better do it soon, for

w-it really looks as if you didn't. Are you the simon-pure M

u get that last bi

ignored t

ere as a traveler, aiming

es

never k

is

h Atheson

N

hear o

N

ally-intere

es

end to stay

es

d I guess it's my duty to tell you

Mark was

Atheson is not Ruth Atheson. She's the daughter of a grand duke. I can't tell you the name of the Grand Duchy, but I'll say this: it isn't very far from a certain Big Kingdom we hear a gre

hat he could speak. He saw a tragedy that

How do y

like. I was instructed to watch her. She got out

"how do I know you a

led out a postal card. "This will te

d as is sold in every country with portraits of reigning or distinguished personages. The facs

ers, with some sympathy showing on his face,

nders. You had better te

an with a trusted attendant. The attendant was evidently not to be trusted, for she disappeared, too. They were traced to London, the

you spoke of-wha

bad English, piercing black eyes, sixty years old, upper lip sho

m Neu

he? I suspected that, but I h

sn't go

isfied now,

ill ask the questions. I have

ers n

he Duchess

he answered. "I hate to

I do

right to know. There w

d at his own

was

fell in love with him, that's all. I was here watching for him. I thought, for a while, that you might be the man, though the descriptio

they

dent that they don't want her to meet him. I can't arrest her, and neither can they; but they certainly could do for him if they want

'm afraid that I don't know just what to do

about the

find it very hard

ow you are a gentleman, and because you have a right to know

onfidence, Saunders

ff. I don't blame you for wanting her. You know bette

m. On his table lay a not

Holy Communion last Sunday. His Lordship is a charming man. I'm sure you would like to meet him. Come up and

cer

d Mur