Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-17
CHAPTER VI.

Dorothy turned and answered: TO
the studio. Even if he has left Henri
will tell me something about him, for
Henri would do anything for me-"
'But--but it's almost daybreak," OPP
posed Mrs. Winfret. Its bad enough
as it is, but for you to go looking up
murderer at such an unseemly hour
Dorothy laid her hand on the bell but
ton and rang.
Then she walked to the door opening
into the corridor and Mrs. Winfref
heard her call to the servant below and
order the carriage.
''All right, miss!" came up from the
hall beneath in sleepy accents.
Mrs. Wfnfret rose and came to her
niece, her two hands outstretched.
"Wait until morning, darling" she
begged. "You viii accomplish Just as
much and run no risk Of being talked
about"
eff you don't go with me go alone
burst from the determined girl. Get
ready; will dress myself in a moment"
II won't be long," said Mrs. Winfret.
resignedly. - know nothing else will
satisfy you. You are simply in love,
and love knows no reason"
Ten minutes later the two ladies
stood shivering in the dark asphalt
paved portecochere waiting for the car
riage. When the wondering coachinan
drove round they got into the vehicle
and drew their wraps around them.
'Rembrandt Studio building, James"
said Mrs. Winfret, her teeth chattering.
Not word passed between the Oc-
cupants of the carriage on the way up
Mrc fro hQr arT ri
her stately niece and made gentle eff
fort to draw the girls head to her shout
der, but Miss Huntington sat stiffly
erect. The tragedy had, as it were,
turned her to stone. She drew long,
trembling breath as her aunt removed
her arm and that was al.
When the carriage stopped at the
studio building, Dorothy opened the
door, and stepped quickly down to the
sidewalk. Her aunt followed her into
the dimly-liEhted hall. A co1Sred boy
sat asleep on bench at the open eleva-
tor and the Earring of the car as they
entered it awaked him. 9
MIR. Gielow's studio" said Dorothy,
hoarsely.
The boy rubbed his eyes with one
hand and with the other grasped the
lever, and they began to ascend.
rs be in?" asked Mrs. Winfret.
j'I can't say, madam. 1 came on al
three o'clock"
IF he is not in" said Dorothy, This
servant will give me the information
wish"
Tenth floor" said the boy, sliding the
door open. Second door on the left"
The two ladies passed down one Of the
long corridors till they came to door
the transom of which transmitted a soft
greenish refulgence from subdued
lights within. Dorothy had just rung
the bell when she noticed that the door
was not latched. She pushed against
it, it opened. and she preceded her aunt
inside. They found themselves in .
private hallway, and further on,
through parted oriental curtains. they
saw the lights of the large reception
room. Entering it they found it still
and vacant. The roof had a great sky
light and the several windows looking
eastward were of polished plate glass.
Through them, when the curtains were
parted, the rays of the moon fell weird
~ and blended anonymously with the
low burning lights of the chandelier
soyerhead. In hooks and recesses dark
bronze and white marble statues doomed
like suggestions of the good and evil
they represented. As they stood in the
center of the chamber. undecided what
to do. they heard step in the adjoining
room. and Henri presented a terrified
visage over the top of grotesquely
carved wooden screen.
..Who is it?" ne cried out in a voice
that shook strangely. He had not rec
ognized the visitors.