San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-07-14

but he will not be of much use on the
first landing. Didn't you see her scurry-
ing along the road from your Window"
NO." stammered Mr.. Steinworth.
AFTER I heard the hall door opening I
stood at my own locked door. with my
ear glued to it, trying if I could find
out what had gone wrong-what was
the matter-but I could only hear your
voice and the sobs of woman. This
is terrible news, certainly"
Eyes. 1t is rather startling, especial
ly to those that belong to the house.
And now, young gentleman, will you
give me your attention for bit until the
doctor comes?''
Certainly" said Steinworth, pull
ing himself together. II suppose had
better abandon all hope of catching the
z 40 at Paddington?"
II should think so, said Constable
Metcaf. Now, sir, fat and foremost,
the locks of these bedrooms puzzle me.
They are different from other locks.
Can you explain about them?"
A dead body was not much of a mys-
terry to the constable, but the young
man locked into his room was a matter
that wanted clearing up.
ooh, yes" answered Steinworth
briskly. Il remember used to kick up
shine with Mrs. Davorn gasped
as he mentioned the name-''in the be-
ginning, and the unfortunate lady got
brass bolts fixed on the inside of the
doors. That's mine, as you can see, /"
pointing to small brass bolt fixed on
the door. "She told me that when the
house was being renovated-just before
she came to it-whoever did it up
thought the old locks were too good to
throw away" He had now recovered
his complacent manner, and he spoke
with the volubility which had in the
beginning disconnected the police con-
stable. Much too good to throw away.
Wonderfully good locks, understand.
at least, so understand A brass box
is all 1 have got for my money inside,
as you can see. No hole inside for the
key. No use in any one putting her eye
to the keyhole outside. l used to think
it very rummy myself in the start. but
I got accustomed to it in time. And it
has got its advantages. 1t is handy
enough if you want to leave the room
for a bit. Lock the door outside, put
the key in your pocket, and there you
are You haven't to go fishing for a key
inside, and there's no occasion to lose
your temper trying to fit it into the hole
outside. Capital lock, call it. And
then when do want to shut myself up
for the night there's the brass bolt that
Mrs. Davorn got fixed for me- But
this is awful news about herp The pal
lor overspread his face again, and his
voice grew husky. "She seemed quite
in her ordinary health last night. 1
wonder what did she die off"
"We must leave that to the doctors, !"
answered Constable Metcaf, gazing fix
eddy at the lock of Albert Steinworth's
door. 81 suppose, said he after a mo-
mentary pause, "the other room on the
same landing is bedroom?"
eyes"
Occupied, presumed"
eyes. A Mr.. Vickery occupies it. A
rum sort of customer. Always closeted
in his room with something or other
which he says he is inventing-unless
when he is out on the prowl He's a
strange old codger-not that he is so
very old either except about the eyes.
They seem to be 100 years of age"
"He sleeps pretty soundly-that is,
if he has not been awakened by Miss
Rodney's cry. +"
"Sleepl He's a rare one to sleep. 1
don't think he's ever out of bed before
IL O'Clock in the day."
"Let rs see if he is up now. /"
"You may take my word for it he is
now snoring like pig
e =