Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-02-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
Nocturnal Proceedings.


There was not q sounu to be heard
as Paul Capel stole softly down In his
dressing gown, and, as he expected,
the drawing room door was closed, but
not latched.
Pushing It softly, feeling certain
that Katrine, II 1t was she, had en-
tered there, he followed and went on
and on; iii he was about in the mid
die of the room, and listening atten-
lively.
He began to think that he must have
been mistaken, when there was faint
rustic, and u heavy breath was drawn,
the sounds coming from the lesser
drawing groom.
He listened more intently, his heart
beating heavily, and n strange sing
ing In his ears.
Another sound us of something be-
ing touched pen-tray on the little
card table where Mr.. Critic sat and
worked and what was that?
Undoubtedly one Of the keys that lay
there. Another and another was
touched, and as they were moved on
the thin mahogany that formed the
bottom of the receptacle for cards,
the sound seemed quite loud.
Then came faint scraping sound,
and he knew as well as II he had seen
1t that key was taken up.
Keys? Yes, there were several there
which the old lawyer used. Capel re-
called that the key of the plate closet
had been placed there when Pheenham
had handed 1t over.
He listened but there was no further
sound Yes; the low breathing could
be heard, and 1t suddenly dawned
upon Capel that Katrlne had been APP
preaching him-there she was close at
hand. He had only to stretch forth
his arms and the next instant she
! would have been folded to his breast.
1t was hard fight, but he had read
of a sudden awakening under such
conditions proving dangerous.
Az he listened there was faint
rustling as the soft. gray peignolr he
knew so we'll passed over the thick
carpet toward the door; and IL the
listener had any doubt, 1t was set aside
by tho light pat that he heard-it was
hand touching the panel.
Capel waited minute, during which
he heard the dress sweep against the
edge of the door. and then the sound
was quite hushed.
| lie knew what that meant, too;
the door had been drawn to, and so he
| hn OF lIuhtIu thnrn
opened 1t, and passed out on to the
great landing where he strained his
eyes upward to try and make out the
graceful draped figure rs 1t went up
the winding staircase to the bedroom,
1t was not so dark there. for faint
gloom-it could not be called light
fell from the great ground glass sky
light at the top OF the winding stair
case, like SO much diluted darkness be
ing poured down into we'll.
THAT great winding staircase sud
denly seemed to him full OF horror, rs
| he stood there, II had never struck
him before; but now how terrible 1t
seemed! That balustrade was so low
| suppose, poor girl, In her sleep, she
SHOULD lean over II. and fall down on
to the white stones, whore the black
fret-work of the glistcning stove could
be seen like square patch against
the white slabs
4 There was no reason for such fan
cics, but Paul Capcls hands grew wet
! with cold perspration
y Il ought to have stopped her, and
awakened her at any risk" he said
rs he still gazed up the great stair
ease, and then his heart seemed tc
stand still for there was II faint click
as Of a lock shot back, and It came
either from on II level with whore he
stood, or from down below.
In an instant he realized what had
happened. Katrine had been to fetch
the key of the late colonel's chamber
and had gone In there,
He hesitated moment, and then
} going close. he softly touched thu
| door. and felt 1t yield
Just then there came faint scratch.
! ing noise; and there was a CLEAN O.
light, showing him that the hcav,
, curtain was drawn,
Then the light shone more clearly
| and, pressing the door little NOR,
open. he glided through
: He was about to peer out softly
when the slight was set down. n,
heard the soft rustic of the dress. a,
arm was thrust round him from tn,
far side OF the curtain, and the doc
: was carefully closed.