Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-05-09
MYSTERIOUS
MISS DACRES
BY Mrs. Schuyler Crowninshield.
Copyright 1901, by j. B. Lippincott Co.
CHAPTER V.-CoNTINUEp.

"Hush!" he whispered. "Don't
move! Don't speak! Don't breathe!"
1t was Elder Wynne. I was struck
with amaze. He drew me under the
protecting enclosure of the back
stairs and whispered:
go upstairs to your room; I can
attend to this matter alone. Leave
me to handle it," I saw now that
the old man possessed more vigor
than [ had thought possible.
"But I am afraid" I whispered,
"afraid to leave you. What do you
think of it? Do you think she has
got into the hands of some. house
breakers? Oh, if Mr.. Beldon were
only here! You are so old, so frail.
Those men might murder you. Let
me stay in the dining room, that
may be within CALL"
Elder Wynne laughed, silent sort
of laugh
1--WE have no time now" he whis-
pered, ito explain matters. Do as I
tell you; go upstairs quickly. Leave
this matter to me-" At the same
time he threw back the lapel of his
cotton dressing gown, and flashed
forth little CLEAN of light from
somewhere which struck full upon
the shining shield bearing the badge
of the detective force. We heard
movement within the room, then
hand was laid upon the knob.
Rum" he whispered. "Run to
your room," and then began to cough
violently, following me and calling
1T the same time up the stairs:
Mrs. Brathwaite! Mrs. Brath-
waite!" I was only on the third
tep, and saw that he had lighted
match and was cropping his way to-
wards the dining room door.
At this juncture Mr.. Beldon's door
was opened. "Who is that?" he
called.
''It is only I, SIR" said Elder Wynne.
i am searching for some sugar. NY
cough is troublesome. It is too bad
to wake you al up
At this l came running from the
stairs. I was surprised to see Mr..
Beldon. "You at home?" said I. "Oh,
wanted to call you some time ago,
II had only known it!"
Wanted to call me?" He looked
annoyed and surprised.
Elder Wynne gave me quick,
warning glance.
Yes-yes- wanted to-to-call
you. Elder Wynne has coughed-
coughed-so--so-coughed So"
Il have not heard Elder Wynne
col bo
tie old man,-"at least not until just
now"
$50 Professionally" I continued,
''that I was afraid-afraid- he-'
Elder Wynne was now so convulsed
with his cough, that I turned to the
sideboard and got out the sugar.
bowl. I then went to the water-cool-
er and filled a glass half full of
water, and dropped some Jumps of
sugar within it,
Mr.. Beldcn watched me narrowly.
HAS anything alarmed you, Mrs.
Brathwaite? You seemed so upset
just now, So"
ooh, no." said I. 81 never felt safer
nor more courageous than have for
the last few moments"
Finding you in the house, my dear
sir" said Elder Wynne. between his
attacks of coughing; finding that a
gentleman was here who would be
sertain to protect a lady, and go for
help if it were needed, is what has
made Mrs. Brathwaite feel SO Sc
cure
At this moment another door was
opened and someone came into the
hall. We all three stepped hurriedly
out from the dining-room to find
Miss Dacres standing there in
wrapper. She staggered and seemed
dazed. She brought peculiar chem
lcal odor with her.
What on earth is ali this noise?"
she said ''Do you call this quiet
house? i have not been able to sleep