The Four Pools Mystery

Plantation. It was one of the big plantations in that part of the state, and had always been noted for its hospitality. My vague recollection of the place was a kaleidoscopic vision

oy of twelve when I had seen her last, but she had impressed even my unimpressionable age with a sense of her charm. I had heard that Jeff, the elder of the two boys, had gone complete

an who wore riding boots and carried a heavy trainer's whip, and of whom I was very much afraid. My only remembrance of Rad was of a pretty little chap of four, eternally in mischief. It was with a mingled feeling of e

l shirt and a broad-brimmed felt hat cocked on one side, and he looked so exactly the typical Southern man of the stage that I almost laughed as I greeted him. His welcome was frank and cordial and I liked him from the first. He asked after my health w

nce to me, fresh from city streets and the rumble of elevated trains. I leaned ba

n illicit still in his cellar for fifteen years, and it had not been discovered until after his death (of delirium tremens). The young lady who lived in that house-one of the belles of the county-had eloped with the best man on the ni

burst ou

e any legitimate weddings with cake and rice and old shoes?" As I spoke

r returne

are more cruel parents in the South." Then he suddenly sobered. "

le," I

a pretty tough time. You'd best not mentio

el still feel h

rowned s

forgive,"

Jeff?" I ventured. "I have

ry much about it myself; I was only thirteen when i

w where he

shook h

down on my bank account. I've lost track of him lately-he isn't in need of

sighed. "He was a fin

he house was situated well toward the middle of the large plantation, and entirely out of sight from the road. The private lane which led to it was bordered by a hawthorn hedge, and wound for half a mile or so b

ed the length of the front, supported by lofty Doric columns. On the south side a huge curved portico bulged out to meet the driveway. Stretching away behind the house was a sleepy box-bordered garden, and behind this, screened by a row of evergre

d delightedly as I noted one familiar ob

said Radnor, "except the people, a

" I added, my eye resting on the cluster

eturned with a suggestive undertone in his voice. "You visit the p

xclaimed in astonishment

r lau

im for a good many years and had almost forgotten the story, when last week he reappeared. Devil fires have been seen dancing in the laurels at night,

s entertainment. I shall look

iting to welcome me. He was looking much as I remembered him except that his hair had turned from black to white

y boy! I'm glad to see

"my boy." It had been a good many y

s he led the way into the house through the group o

urniture was the same old-fashioned, solidly simple furniture that the house had contained since it was built. I was amused to s

efore! There are half a dozen colts in the pasture just spoiling to be broken in; you may try your hand at that, sir. And now I reckon supper's about ready," he added. "Nancy doesn't allow any

ry shudder. He was not a full-blooded negro but an octoroon. His color was a muddy yellow, his features were sharp instead of flat, and his hair hung across his forehead almost straight. But these facts alone did not account for his queerness; the most uncanny thing

s he led the way up the winding staircase,

was far from pleasant. But after he had deposited his load on the floor of my room, and, with a sidewise glance

atter with hi

back his head

e afraid of. He doesn't bite. The poor fellow's half witte

rsisted. "Where d

e a member of the family. He's my father's body servant and he follows him around like a

"What the deuce is the

ugged his

iggers' eyes are often yellow. The people on the place call him 'Cat-Eye Mose