San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-09-08

e. am very near the end of that aw-
full night. he said II next pulled the
door into the room until had made
sufficient space TO let myself out between
it and the doorpost. was now fearfully
agitated any sudden or unexpected
noise would, think, have made me
collapse If Mrs Davorn had awaked
and screamed-a thing | was dreading
Il think | should have died of fright.
When got ont on the landing found ]
had more difficult task before me than
l expected. The key would not turn in
the lock; itwas at too sharp an angle
in the lock This added to the terrors
of the night, for it was ON the door
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 l accomplished my task.
No one but a very slender man could
have got back. "
Stelnworth again ceased to speak and
began to pant heavily. 1t was several
minutes before he resumed his story.
81 was now almost fainting from ex-
element and terror, but nerved my
self for final struggle with the door
I got it into its place, screwed up the
hinges and then painted them over until
I felt they would be as invisible as they
had been before had disturbed them
The paint was using would dry in
about IL hours, and then l should be
safe.
ut was the smell of the paint which
first put me on the right SCENT" OBJ
served Goringe. ''It 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 IS
sake, at what time did you enter the
house last night? OF course, you know
it is question you are quite justified
in refusing to answer.
mot only will tell you that gladly,
for it relieves me to speak, but l will
tell you freely why 1 came. 1t was at
the same time came tonight cannot
say the exact hour-but between IL and
| O'Clock. "
81 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 me p' said Steinworth,
his eyes lighting up. 81 was quite sure
the house was deserted
II must have slept more soundly last
night than l have slept for 90 years,
but all the same it is true that was in
this room while you were busy with the
keyhole. "
Il worked as silently as l could, but
it is strange did not disturb you.
"The air here evidently agrees with
you, Mr. Goringe," said Inspector
Briggs but our young friend is anx-
ious to tell us why he risked the visit
here.
"For the money, of course" said
Steinworth 81 had hoped to find the
key in the door. Then all would have
been done in one night. "
Possibly not, " said Goringe II 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 myself-at least, so j
thought at the time-I determined to
fasten fresh suspicion ON Leclerc. Ifan-
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 man S
story.
Suddenly a loud knock at the hall
door startled the three men.
Steinworth threw his hands up, his
eyes blazing with terror.
Heavens ~ he cried "What is this?"
CHAPTER XIV.