The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1895-08-14
BEHIND THE DOOR.

81 am very near the end Of that aw
full night, he said II next pulled the
door into the room until l had made
sufficient space to let myself out between
II and the dOorpost Twas now fearfully
agitated; any sudden or unexpected
noise would. think have made me
collapse If Mrs DavoIn had awal1ed
and screamed--a thing l was dreading
i think should have died of fright.
When got out ON the landing l found l
he'd a more difficult task before me than
expected. The key would not turn in
the lock; it was at too sharp an angle
in the lock. This added TO the terrors
of the night, for it was on the door 1
placed my reliance In the end was
Obliged to drag the door back into its
place and then lock it. and then the
task was, having locked it, to force it
back sufficiently to allow me to squeeze
myself into the room between the door
and the doorpost without disturbing the
lock At length accomplished my task
No one but very slender man could
have got back.
Steinworth again ceased to speak and
began to pant heavily 1t was several
minutes before he resumed his story.
''I was now almost fainting from ex-
citement and terror, but l nerved my
self for final struggle with the door.
l got it into its place, screwed up the
hinges and then painted them over until
felt they would be as invisible as they
had been before had disturbed them.
The paint l was using would dry in
about / 9 hours, and then l should be
safe "
1T was the smell of the paint which
east put me on the right scent " OBJ
So we'd Goringe. ut was quite dry when
examined the door, but it had plainly
been put ON recently. Anyhow scraped
enough away with my finger nails to
satisfy me that-taking other things in
to accountable key TO the mystery was
the door. Now, Mr.. Steinworth, as you
have been so free with your confession,
will you tell me, just for curiosity's
sake, at what time did you enter tine
house last night? OF course, you know
it is a question you are quito justified
III Ttluhlllk W ullSMtI.
"Not only will tell you that gladly,
for it relieves me to speak, but l will
tell you freely why came. 1t was at
the same time l came tonight--I cannot
say the exact hour-but between 12 and
l o'clock.
60 / suppose you were not aware then
that l had only just tumbled into bed
in this very room when you arrived on
the landing?'
"You astonish mel said Steinworth,
his eyes lighting up. II was quit sure
the house was deserted
II must have slept more soundly last
night than l have slept for 20 years,
but all the same it is true that ! was in
this room while You We're busy with the
keyhole "
II worked az silently as / could, but
it is strange did not disturb you.
1.-THE air here evidently agrees with
you, Mr. Goringe," said Inspector
Briggs "But our young friend is anx-
ious TO tell us why he rislSed the visit
here. 4"
For the money, of course, said
Steinworth II had hoped to find the
key in the door Then all would have
been done in one night q"
Possibly not, said Goringe IL am
afraid the sight Of man slumbering in
your bed would have scared you.
Perhaps You are right, sighed
Steinworth "At all events, as i had
the house TO mysef-at least, so
thought at the time--I determined to
fasten fresh suspicion ON Leclerc. Il fan
cied something would arise to upset
Vickery's own theory of his being the
person who took the notes.
Steinworth paused again. He seemed
utterly worn out, and it was beginning
to dawn upon the two officers of the law
that it would have been safer TO have
sent for doctor at the beginning rather
than toward the end Of the young mans
story
Suddenly loud knock at the hal
door startled the three men.
Steinworth threw his hands up, his
eyes blazing with terror.
Heavens" he cried. "What is this?