of Mrs. Douglas, and
that she would display acute uneasiness if her absent husband should
ever be particularly late in his return. On a quiet countryside, where
all gossip is welcome, this weakness of the lady of the Manor House did
not pass without remark, and it bulked larger upon people's memory when
the events arose which gave it a very special significance.

There was yet another individual whose residence under that roof was,
it is true, only an intermittent one, but whose presence at the time of
the strange happenings which will now be narrated brought his name
prominently before the public. This was Cecil James Barker, of Hales
Lodge, Hampstead.

Cecil Barker's tall, loose-jointed figure was a familiar one in the
main street of Birlstone village; for he was a frequent and welcome
visitor at the Manor House. He was the more noticed as being the only
friend of the past unknown life of Mr. Douglas who was ever seen in his
new English surroundings. Barker was himself an undoubted Englishman;
but by his remarks it was clear that he had first known Douglas in
America and had there lived on intimate terms with him. He appeared to
be a man of considerable wealth, and was reputed to be a bachelor.

In age he was rather younger than Douglas--forty-five at the most--a
tall, straight, broad-chested fellow with a clean-shaved, prize-fighter
face, thick, strong, black eyebrows, and a pair of masterful black eyes
which might, even without the aid of his very capable hands, clear a
way for him through a hostile crowd. He neither rode nor shot, but
spent his days in wandering round the old village with his pipe in his
mouth, or in driving with his host, or in his absence with his hostess,
over the beautiful countryside. "An easy-going, free-handed gentleman,"
said Ames, the butler. "But, my word! I had rather not be the man that
crossed him!" He was cordial and intimate with Douglas, and he was no
less friendly with his wife--a friendship which more than once seemed
to cause some irritation to the husband, so that even the servants were
able to perceive his annoyance. Such was the third person who was one
of the family when the catastrophe occurred.

As to the other denizens of the old building, it will suffice out of a
large household to mention the prim, respectable, and capable Ames, and
Mrs. Allen, a buxom and cheerful person, who relieved the lady of some
of her household cares. The other six servants in the house bear