The Mystery of the Sycamore

For Samuel Appleby to pay a visit to Daniel Wheeler was of itself an astounding occurrence.The two men had not seen each other since the day, fifteen years ago, when GovernorAppleby had pardoned the convicted Wheeler, with a condition, which, though harsh, hadbeen strictly adhered to.They had never been friends at heart, for they were diametrically opposed in their politicalviews, and were not of similar tastes or pursuits. But they had been thrown much together, and when the time came for Wheeler to be tried for forgery, Appleby lent no assistance tothe case. However, through certain influences brought to bear, in connection with the factthat Mrs. Wheeler was related to the Applebys, the governor pardoned the condemnedman, with a conditional pardon.Separated ever since, a few letters had passed between the two men, but they resulted inno change of conditions.As the big car ran southward through the Berkshire Hills, Appleby's thoughts were all onthe coming meeting, and the scenery of autumn foliage that provoked wild exclamations ofdelight from Genevieve and assenting enthusiasm from Keefe left the other unmoved.An appreciative nod and grunt were all he vouchsafed to the girl's gushing praises, andwhen at last they neared their destination he called her attention to a tall old sycamore treestanding alone on a ridge not far away."That's the tree that gives the Wheeler place its name," he informed. "Sycamore Ridge isone of the most beautiful places in Connecticut.""Oh, are we in Connecticut?" asked Miss Lane. "I didn't know we had crossed the border.What a great old tree Surely one of the historic trees of New England, isn't it?""Historic to the Wheelers," was the grim reply, and then Mr. Appleby again relapsed intosilence and spoke no further word until they reached the Wheeler home