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Show rnAvStH Hmmrn !0B iiil THE RICH COUNTY REAPER. RANDOLPH. UTAH BANNER SERIAL FICTION- IPannaQ Eq A stoty o$ twe and LnUiyuz . . . Richard Exon, a poor young Englishman, befriends elderly Matthew Gering, who 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 uncles fortune and sets out to right Gerings wrongs ' En route he encounters Percy Elbert Virgil, son of the villainous Ferdinand and sees him in conference 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 Gerings wedding and had visited Brief. Herrick, due eventually to fall into an inheritance. Is at present unemployed and seeking pleasant work to while away a few months Exon and Herrick establish headquarters at Brenda Revokes farm at Raven, a few miles from Brief 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 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 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 with Percy Virgil, who seemed to b& very angry- and was pointing the way we had come.- Be sure I 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 enough to allow any car to turn 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 chaufe and feur applied his his engine off. The car switch 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 Wheres the wire?, snapped Virgil. Or have you forgotten that? It is here, said another man. And the change of clothes? Also, said a womans voice. All marked, as I said? That is so. " said Virgil, Then follow me, and bring the wire. ' Cautiously raising our heads, we saw the procession set out first Virgil, then the man, then the woman, with a dog on a lead. The chauffeur brought up the rear. They passed behind the car and disap' peared in th 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 But Which is absurd, said I. so is everything else. And where does the dog come in? Nothing comes in, said Herrick. Its all preposterous. But Im glad to have seen dear Percy extreme- THE CHEERFUL CHERUB With everything m BIRDII7RD Y&TE5 It thrills me I promise, said I. Dont bd whipping along a road by the time we get back to our job, we may long, and, with that, I was gone. find that weve missed the tide. Retracing my steps, I did not use This was sheer common sense, so the drive, but moved by its side I said no more. through the bracken beneath the Ten minutes perhaps had gone by trees. As I approached the track, I when the drive curled between the saw that the car was still there and foothills and then swung round to had not been moved. Now all I knew was that Virgil the left and began to climb. Almost at once the woods on its right and his companions had passed up fell away, and there was the castle the track out of sight. How far they had gone or whether they had kept before us, perhaps 300 yards off. It made a lovely picture, lit by to the track, I had no idea, but since the rising sun, for its tower and its it seemed pretty clear that they seven turrets stood out most bold would not be very far off, from now and brilliant against the blue of the 1 took greater precautions against sky and these and every projection being seen. When I moved, I did that caught the light were throwing so gently and went on my hands shadows so vivid that the castle and knees, and whenever I rose to looked heraldic and might have been look around, I did so against a as though, indeed, I were a blazon of black and gold. It was built of gray stone and must once stalking some wary prey. First of all, I took a good look at have been a fortress of considerable strength, but windows had later the car. This was roomy and powbeen set in its massive walls and erful and something the worse for had been added to wear. Its number-plate- s chimney-stack- s had been " oiled and were coated with dust. make it a residence. Herrick, I think, was more excit- One of its doors was ajar, and within ed than I, for, now that he saw the I could see an old suitcase, no doubt castle as he had seen and known it containing the clothes. But that tree-trun- k, v - hand-brak- , ... ' ly glad. Having seen and heard what we had, I was for following Virgil, to see what his business might be, but when I suggested this, Herrick raised his eyebrows and glanced at his watch. As you please, said he, but its 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 means stalking, mark you: sot Cautiously Raising Our Heads, We Saw the Procession Set Out. when he was twelve years old, he was all, and after a long look round, began at once to remember the plan I went on my way. It was nearly six oclock, and I of the house: since this was all to the good, I let him be and myself had been gone from Herrick a full when the track beside began to survey the heights which half-howhich I was moving came to an we hoped to use. Almost at once I remarked that end. This to my dismay, for now on one of these, three firs were I had nothing to go on, although, of n course, the track might have led me standing together to thrust a I wrong. steeple into the sky: this, In vain I sought for a broken stem was sure, could be seen from the farther side and so would make us a of bracken which might declare the landmark for future use. The next trail which my friends had left: in and thing I saw was a path which slant- vain I scanned the forest birds for the but ears: strained the my ed up from the meadows into woods, andwhen I had taken my and the squirrels, I might have had to myself. glasses, I found that it led to an the world the trunk of an oak Flat summer or against open elegant belvedere, house. This looked unfrequented, tree, I wiped the sweat from my and but for my glasses I could not face. Five paces ahead a ride had have picked it out, for the trees been cut through the woods: though which had been cut back had put this was thick with bracken, it gave forth new boughs. Because of the me a pretty clear view to right and veil of foliage, nobody standing to left, but the flood stretched there could ever.be seen from be- smooth and unbroken and I could low, yet he could see as much as see no sign of its having been he wished by peering between the crossed. Loth to admit defeat, I tried to leaves. To reach this spot from for what to do. To proceed was think it aboye looked easy enough, crest 30 below the but, for all I knew, feet a short enough, easy hung of the hill and the ground between with every step that I took I might be going away from the party I was covered with beech and fir. This was enough for me. My one sought. Yet to stay where I was idea was to make for the Rolls and was useless. If only there had been then to go round by road and get to a hillock to add a few feet to my the belvedere as soon as ever I height, I could have looked down could. But Herrick, deep in mem- upon the bracken and that point of view might have shown me the ory, would not be moved. traces the others had left. But there said. Why rush your fences? he Weve plenty of time. Im doing was no hillock: the ground herelovely work I can even remember abouts was sloping, but nothing a picture that hung in the dining- more. Suddenly I thought of the oak at the room. Thats the dining-rooand lifted my eyes . . . tree from You see the stables cant end. If I could reach it, there was the here theyre behind to the left. But what Im on now is the tower. I place I desired. One of the mighty branches was stretching out over think it rises from the courtyard Im almost sure. But I know that it the ride a branch20twice as thick asI feet up. If had a door on the second floor. The my loins, some I could see for a quarwere there, that archway beyond courtyards You go on, if you ter of a mile, while the leaves of not very big the lesser boughs would save me like I shant be long. from being seen. I had a sudden idea. All right," I said. Ill go on. After a long look about me, I And on the way Ill see what Per- leaped for a sturdy sucker and swung myself up. My branch was cys up to." What could be better? said Her- not easy to come to, because what rick. But dont get involved. Were handhold there was was so far behere to find out not give battle. tween, and I must confess that, whilst I fought my way up, I could - Dont forget that. gray-gree- m ... mist hidP-hi- d. Vhen motor caro go $lidin so p'h.st to see them shid. not help wondering how I 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 sitting alone, with her back towards me. To say that I felt bewildered means nothing at all. What on earth she was doing there, I could not conceive, and at last I made up my 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, I had turned about and was standing upon the branch with my hands on the trunk, when the scream of a dog g in agony rent the ear. saw I the chauffeur again, standing where I had seen him last, holding the dog at arms length by the scruff of its neck and flogging the luckless cretir.with all his might. I was just about to'1 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 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 Half-turnin- ur I love the dz5 of cloud h.nd rt.in IS? E?(! WNU Srric O Domiord Yates SYNOPSIS - he could. The bay was up now and was WNU Service. HOUSEHOLD QUESTIONS Lengthen Life of Towels. Machine a piece of tape along each side of your roller towels before you use them. Frosting Windows. An inexpensive way of frosting the cellar windows to insure more privacy is to dissolve one-ha- lf pound of epsom salts in two pints of water and paint over the inside of the window with this liquid. When Washing Silk Stockings. Slip on a pair of rubber gloves when washing stockings. There will then be no danger of catching the silk and causing a ladder. Testing a Pillow. One test of a good pillow is to press it in the center ; the more quickly and fully the pillow comes back to its original shape and size, the better are the feathers. Washing Woodenware. Wooden kitchen utensils should be washed in warm water to which just a small quantity of soap or soap flakes has been added. Dry thoroughly as soon as they are washed. If allowed to soak or left to stand about while wet the wood will become discolored. Brighten the Window Sill. Small paper doilies placed under porcelain plant pots keeps the window sills clean and helps to prevent marks on the paint. A Bit Ahead. Call the children for their meals a little before time so they have an opportunity of washing their hands and faces without holding up the dinner. Stiff Curtains. To stiffen net or marquisette curtains take 5 cents worth of gum arabic, soak it in three quarts of water overnight and use instead of starch. Sun Ruins Mirrors. Place mirrors in a position where the sun will not shine on them for any length of time. Heat causes the quick-silvon the back of a mirror to crumble. er CONSTIPATED? Here is Amazing Relief for Due to Sluggish Bowels Conditions If you think all laxatives act alike, just try this all vegetable laxative. So mild, thorough, refreshing, invigorating. Dependable relief from sick headaches, bilious spells, tired feeling when associated with constipation. 'b?I-oNR ,rom your f Without Risk . the test then If not delighted, return the box to us. We will refund the purchase price. Thata fair. moving off through the bracken with Get but the flanks, heaving girl lay ALWAYS CARRY QUICK RELIEF crumpled up and perfectly still. To FOR ACID my surprise, instead of attending to her, the man and the woman INDIGESTION them lifted her up and began to stumble with her towards my oak. They passed directly beneath After Death That man scorches with his me, seeming to think of nothing but getting their burden along. Had this brightness and overpowers inbeen the carcase of a dog, they ferior capacities, yet he shall be could scarce have used it with less revered when dead. Horace. propriety. The girl was dead or senseless I could not tell which: but, instead of supporting her head, they let this hang, and one of her legs was suffered to trail on the ground. This was too much for me, and Help Them Cleanse the Blood at once I began to go down; but, of Harmful Body Waste for all my indignation, I could not Your kidneys are constantly filtering make haste, because, as I had waste matter from the blood stream. But kidneys sometimes lag in their work do feared, the descent was twice as not act as Nature intended fail to reStiff as the climb I had made. move impurities that, if retained, may the (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. system and upset the whole body machinery. Symptoms may be nagging backache, persistent headache, attacks of dizziness. getting up nights, swelling, puffiness under the eyes a feeling of nervous anxiety and loss of pep and strength. Other signs of- kidney or bladder disorder may be burning, scanty or too s frequent urination. There should be no doubt that prompt treatment is wiser than neglect. Use Boon's Fills. Boons have been winning new friends for more than forty years. They have a nation-wid- e reputation. Are recommended by grateful people the country over. Ask pour utigkborl poison - Eni |