290 FUR FACTS 



So that evening I bundled and shipped my furs, gathered up my 

 traps and, about six o'clock, found myself outside the door of my 

 newly-acquired friend. His house, to my surprise, was of good 

 size, and up-to-date in every respect. I did not have to knock, for 

 as I stepped upon the porch Mr. Henderly came around the house 

 and, relieving me of my baggage, led me around to a rear door. Here 

 he led me into the kitchen where a negro cook was preparing supper- 

 Inquiring if supper would soon be ready, to which the dusky 

 lady answered in the affirmative, he ushered me into the large front 

 room. This room was very long, with a lofty ceiling, and the win- 

 dows which were draped with sombre curtains, were also long and 

 narrow. The room was plainly furnished, but there was a noticeable 

 nicety of arrangement which bespoke good taste on the part of the 

 mistress. 



Knowing my passion for the craftsmanship of hunting and trap- 

 ping, my friend asked me if I would like to look over his collection 

 of private trophies gathered through his twenty-five years of cruising 

 on trips between the Gulf and the Great Lakes. I assured him that 

 nothing could give me greater pleasure. Bidding me wait until he 

 could get the key he made his way again into the kitchen, closing the 

 door after him. 



I was struck with the gloomy silence that seemed to pervade the 

 house. There was a marked absence of vitality about the premises, 

 and the entire scene impressed me as being very dull and colorless. 

 To all appearances, my friend was living entirely alone, except 

 for his house-keeper, but this, I thought, seemed hardly probable 

 for a man of his age and inclination as revealed to me during our 

 short acquaintance. 



Presently he returned with the key, but as supper was ready he 

 invited me into the dining room, promising to show me his collection 

 immediately after supper. 



We seated ourselves at the table, and I noticed that there was 

 a third chair drawn up to one side with the usual plate, knife and 

 fork on the table in front of it. Thinking that possibly another was 

 to come, I did not start eating immediately, but my friend, noticing 

 my hesitancy, invited me to "pitch right in", and stating that 

 "Alice" for whom the other plate was intended, usually dined alone. 

 I did as he suggested, and partook of the biggest supper I had eaten 

 for many weeks. 



At the close of the meal, while we were lighting our pipes, and 

 the cook was clearing away the dishes, the door opened and the frail 



