Pickering Serves Notice

The next morning Bates placed a letter postmarked
Cincinnati at my plate. I opened and read it aloud to
Larry:
On Board the Heloise December 25, 1901.
John Glenarm, Esq.,
Glenarm House,
Annandale, Wabana Co., Indiana:
DEAR SIR-I have just learned from what I believe to
be a trustworthy source that you have already violated
the terms of the agreement under which you entered into
residence on the property near Annandale, known as
Glenarm House. The provisions of the will of John Marshall
Glenarm are plain and unequivocal, as you undoubtedly
understood when you accepted them, and your absence,
not only from the estate itself, but from Wabana
County, violates beyond question your right to inherit.
I, as executor, therefore demand that you at once vacate
said property, leaving it in as good condition as when
received by you. Very truly yours,
Arthur Pickering,
Executor of the Estate of John Marshall Glenarm.

"Very truly the devil's," growled Larry, snapping
his cigarette case viciously.

"How did he find out?" I asked lamely, but my heart
sank like lead. Had Marian Devereux told him! How
else could he know?

"Probably from the stars,-the whole universe undoubtedly
saw you skipping off to meet your lady-love.
Bah, these women!"

"Tut! They don't all marry the sons of brewers,"
I retorted. "You assured me once, while your affair
with that Irish girl was on, that the short upper lip
made Heaven seem possible, but unnecessary; then the
next thing I knew she had shaken you for the bloated
masher. Take that for your impertinence. But perhaps
it was Bates?"