led, parchment-like cheeks went a dull, unhealthy red. He
opened his mouth to speak and then drew back again. Merriton gave him a
keen glance.

"Of course, how foolish of me. As you say, sir, impossible!" he stammered
out, bowing backward toward the door. "I'll be getting back to my bed
again, and leave you to finish your rest undisturbed. I'm sorry to 'ave
troubled you, I'm sure, sir, only I was afraid something 'ad 'appened."

"That's all right. Good-night," returned Merriton curtly, and turned the
key in the lock as the door closed. He stood for a moment thinking, his
eyes upon the winking, flickering points of light that seemed dimmer in
the fast growing light. "Now why did he make that bloomer about dates, I
wonder? Uncle's been gone five years--and Borkins knew it. He was here at
the time, and yet why did he suggest that old wives' tale as a possible
solution of the disappearance? Borkins, my lad, there's more behind those
watery blue eyes of yours than men may read. Hmm! ... Now I wonder why
the deuce he lied to me?"

CHAPTER III

SUNSHINE AND SHADOW

When Merriton shaved himself next morning he laughed at the reflection
that the mirror cast back at him. For he looked for all the world as
though he had been up all night and his knee was painful and rather
stiff, as though he had strained some ligament in it.

"Beastly place is beginning to make its mark on me already!" he said, as
he lathered his chin. "My eyes look as though they had been stuck in with
burnt cork, and--the devil take my shaky hand! And that railroad business
yesterday helps it along. A nice state of affairs for a chap of my age, I
must say! Scared as a kid at an old wives' story. Borkins is a fool, and
I'm an idiot.... Damn! there's a bit off my chin for a start. I hope to
goodness no one takes it into their heads to pay me a visit to-day."

His hopes, however, in this direction were not to be realized, for as
the afternoon wore itself slowly away in a ramble round the old place,
and through the stables--which in their day had been famous--the big,
harsh-throated doorbell rang, and Merriton, in the very act of telling
Borkins that he was officially "not in," happened to catch a glimpse of
something light and fluffy through the stained-glass of the door, and
suddenly kept his counsel.

A few seconds later Borkins ushered in two visitors. Merriton, prepared
by the convenient glass for the appearance of one was nevertheless not
unp