Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-05-03

chair once more and carefully sifted
over the high shelf the contents of
little package which had brought with
me for this purpose.
Then, leaving the chair where 1t was,
l betook myself out Of the front door,
ostentatiously stopping to lock 1t and
to put the key in my pocket.
Crossing Immediately to Mr.. Moore's
side of the street, encountered him,
as had expected to do, at his own
gateway.
"Well, what now p he inquired, with
the same exaggerated courtesy I had
noticed in him on previous occasion.
You have the air of man bringing
news. Has anything fresh happened
in the old housei"
I assumed frankness which seemed
to impose on him.
do you know" I sententiously in
formed him, II have wonderful in
terest in that old hearthstone, or, rath-
err, in the seemingly innocent engrav-
ing hanging bver it of Benjamin
Franklin at the court of France. I
tell you frankly that had no idea of
what would be found behind the pic
ture"
l saw by his quick look that had
stirred up hornets nest. This was
just what had calculated to do.
Behind it!' he repeated. There IL
nothing behind It,"
l laughed. shrugged my shoulders
and backed slowly toward the door.
"Of course you should know" l re-
torted, with some condescension. Then
as IL struck by a sudden remembrance:
"Oh, by the way, have you been told
that there Is window on that floor
which does not stay fastened? I speak
Of it that you may have it repaired as
soon as the police vacate. It's the last
one In the hall leading to the negro
quarters. If you shake 1t hard enough,
the catch falls back, and any one can
raise 1t even from the outside"
II will see to it." he replied. drop
ping his eyes, possibly to hide their
mean about finding something In the
wall behind that old picture7 I've
never heard"
But, though he spoke quickly and
shouted the last words after me at the
top of his voice, was by this time
too far away to respond save by du-
bious smile and semipatronizing wave
Of the hand. Not until was nearly
out OF earshot did venture to shout
back the following words:
"I'M be back in an hour. II anything
happens, II the boys annoy you or any
one attempts to enter the old house,
telephone to the station or summon
the officer at the corner. don't be-
lieve any harm will come from leav-
ing the place to itself for awhtle."
Then walked around the block.
When arrived in front again it was
quite dark. So was the house, but
there was light in the library. I felt
assured that I should f1nd Uncle Da-
vid there, and l did. When after
noiseless entrance and careful adj
vance through the hall threw open
the door beyond the gilded pillars it
was to see the tall figure of this old
man mounted upon the chair I had left
there peering up at the nail from
which I had so lately lifted the pic
ture. He started as presented myself
and almost fell from the chair. But
the careless laugh I uttered assured
him OF the little importance ! placed
upon this evidence Of his daring and.
indispensable curiosity, and he con,
fronted me with an enviable air OF
dignity, whereupon / managed to say:
Really, Mr.. Moore, I'm glad to see.
you here. It is quite natural for you to
wish to learn by any means in your
power what that picture concealed. I
came back because suddenly remem-.
bered that l had forgotten to rehang
It."
Involuntarily he glanced again at the
wall overhead, which was az bare as
his hand save for the nail he had al
ready examined.
ut has concealed nothing" he re-
torted. "You can see yourself that the
wall Is bare and that it rings as sound
as any chimney piece ever made"
Here he struck 1t heavily with his fist.
What did You imagine that you had
found!"
I smiled. shrugged my shoulders in
tantalizing repetition Of my former
action upon q like occasion and then
answered brusquely:
81 did not come back to betray police
secrets, but to restore this picture to,
its place. Or perhaps you prefer to
have it down rather than up? 1t isn't
much Of an ornament"
He scrutinized me darkly from over
his shoulder. a wary CLEAN showing
itself In his shrewd old eyes. and the
idea crossed me that the moment
might possess more Significance than
appeared. But / did not step back
ward nor give evidence In any way
that had even thought of danger. -
simply laid my hand on the picture
and looked up at him for orders.
He promptly signified that he wished
It hung. adding as hesitated these.