Proctor High School - Proctorian Yearbook (Proctor, VT)

Page 10 text:

5 THE SUTHERLA NU the mystery was still deeper. A servant announced that Jones, the valet, was missing. Private detectives were hired, but to no avail. They could find nothing that would explain the mystery. Gradually. the house settled down into its daily routine, and the shriek was heard no more. A month passed. and the Castairs were planning to leave the following day. Miss Miranda announced that she would not arise until late the next morning, as she had a long journey ahead of her. Hav- ing said this, she retired. Charles and Jean stayed up until about eleven o'clock. and then reluctantly went to their rooms. In less than an hour the midnight stilinees was again broken by a piercing shriek. Cutting the air like a knife, it was as a cry of some unearthiy being. Two doors flew 3,138.11 and two people faced each other. half in terror and half in relief. Where was Miss Miranda? Quickly, Charles went to her door and rapped. There was no answer. He waited a. few seconds. then opened the door. I'Phe room was empty. Then began a frenzied search over the house. But it revealed nothing. Again detectives were called in. At last they came to the money room and were about to enter, when Charles stopped them. Sorry, gentlemen. but you can't go in there. My unclets last wishes were that I should not enter that room until two weeks from this date. and of course that applies to everyone, as I am master here now. Were you alone when your uncle told you that? in- quired one of the detectives. t'Oh no. Jean and her aunt were there, and I think the butler had just come in. H-m-m, said the detective. Well, I shall be working on iris case. and with your permission I shall return in two wee 5. Slowly. the two weeks dragged by. At last the appointed day arrived. Jean. Charles and the two detectives proceeded slowly down to the money room. Sensing some menace, Charles was loath to enter the room. but finally he turned the door knob and went in. Those outside heard a gasp of horror, and peering in they beheld a grewsorne sight. Lying- in the middle of the floor was the distorted body of Miss Miranda Castair. and in one corner lay the lifeless form of Jones, the valet. Truly the sight was terrible enough to strike terror into more hardened hearts. Jean would have fainted had it not been for Charlest supporting arm.

Page 9 text:

THE SUTHERLAND 7 go near it, please don't.' Poor uncle! Always looking out. for the good of other people. and perhaps rather neglecting himself. Well, what are We to do now that weire here '2 inquired Miss Castair. Shall we go and see him ? Yes, 1 think that would be the best thing. He may have something to say to you, if he is conscious. Treading softly, as is the way with those nearing a sick person, they passed through the long narmw hall, and enter- ed at last the room of Mr. Hartworth. He was very pale and seemed scarcely more than a shadow, and when he spoke his voice was so faint it could scarcely be heard. Ah, Miranda. I am so glad you have come. And -at last I may see my dear Jean. How lovely you are, child. 'tAnd 1 am so glad to see you. uncle. You must hurry and get well. I'm afraid I'm not going to get well, my dear. Even as he said this he visibly weakened. Charles. I must tell you one thing- before I go. As he said this. the valet came in the door. and. taking in the situation at a glance, he stopped and listened. You know the money room? Well, don't go near it until two months from today. when you will be twenty- one. Promise me this, because if you don't you may never receive the money in store for you. and severe misfortune will befall you. Yes. of course. uncle, I promise. since you wish it. And now rest a while. and we'll come in and see you later. But there was to he no next time, for that night the old man died. After the funeral it seemed best for his cousin and her niece to stay at the manor for a while with Charles. All went well for a time, and then. one night about two weeks later. something happened. It was about eleven-thirty, and everyone had retired. except perhaps some of the servants. Suddenly there rose a long-drawn-out cry, partly a how! and partly a moan. Terrifying in its unearthliness. it was a. cry of mortal terror. as of someone being strangled. Doors flew open and out rushed Jean. Charles and Miss Miranda. With looks of horror on their faces, they listened for the cry to be repeated. But all was still. Jean looked inquiringly at Charles for an explanation. but none was forth- coming. He told the two women to go back to bed, and he and the servants would investigate. Next morning. when the family assembled for breakfast.

Page 11 text:

THE SUTHERLANU 9 Just as I thought. said the detective. 'Now the prob- lem is to find out the cause of these deaths. I figured out that these two people. both having heard the words of your uncle, would try to get the money before this time, and make a getaway. A careful search around the room revealed small holes in the walls and ceiling. Cutting away the coating of the walls, they found small pipes which contained a poisonous gas. At the end of them was a machine, so arranged and timed, that if the door was opened before the time specified, by the uncle, it would release sufficient gas to kill a person. The uncle must have had some such situation in mind when he planned it. How could he think of it? exclaimed Charlee, Any- way. it will never happen again. This is the end of the money room. - eComelia Gale, '32. W RAINBOW 01d Pierre Goddard spat into the river and exclaimed. Curse the luck. I didn't bring the right kind of tobacco. Trout don't bite when you use Culture; it's Old Briar for me! 1 wonder e. here the old fisherman was interrupted by :5. violent strike: then his reel sang in the cool crisp air of the spring day. A smile spread over his brown weather-beaten face as he fought the rainbow. It was heading for cover un- der a snag. His smile soon left him. He remembered that he had an old line and hook and if he pulled the line taut it would snap. and if he let the trout have the line it would reach and snag and become free. Pierre played the tricks that only a good fisherman knows, but to no avail. There was but one thing to do. wade in and reel in the line. Cautioas- ly he stepped into the river and wound up his line. He reach- ed into the water; he felt a hard surfacad animal. Picking it up he saw it was a turtle. Pierre spat again, then threw pole, line, and turtle back into the water and trumped furious- ly home. eA. Virta. 31.