The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-09-17


l had another In mind. and l was anx
ious to test it before resting from all
further attempt to solve this riddle. l
And 1t has not failed me-"
AS | said this laid open on the table
before me the transcription of which
/ spoke. Instantly the two men bent
over it. When they looked up again,
their countenance showed not excite
ment only, but appreciation; and in the
one minute of triumph which then
enjoyed all that had wounded or dis
turbed me in the past was forgotten.
The major now proposed that we
should go at once to the old house. "A
| family secret like this does not crop
| up every day even in city SO full Of
surprises as Washington. We will
hunt for the SPRING under the closet
drawers and see what happens. Ell?
And on our way there"-here he turned
to mel should like to hear the par
ticulars concerning the little clew just |
mentioned. BY the way. MIR. Jeffreys
interest in this old drawing is now |
explained. He knew its diabolical
secret"
This was self evident. and my heart
was heavy for Miss Tuttle, who SEEM
ed to be SO deep In her brother-in-law's
confidence.
1t grew still heavier when Durbin.
joining us, added his incredulity to the
air of suspicion assumed by the others
: Our first move was to go in q body
to the southwest chamber, take down
the picture. examine 1t with magni-
flying glass and satisfy ourselves that
the words had picked out of It's may
q lines were really to be found there.
O This done and my veracity established.
y we next proceeded to the closet where.
q according to the instruction embodied
n in this picture, the secret spring was
v to be found by which some unknown
n and devilish machinery would be re-
q leased in the library below
d To my great satisfaction the active
o part in this experiment was delegated
d to me- Durbin continued to be mere
n locker on. Drawing out the two large
n drawers from their place at the end OF
n this closet | set them aside Then
: hunted for and found the small loop
K hole which we had been told afforded
I'd O glimpse of the library heartbstone
" but seeing nothing through it. called
n for a light to bePlaced in the room be
low.
| heard Durbin go down, then thu
lie. major and, finally, the district attor
Nv ney. Nothing could stay their curios
ity now, not even the possibility O
,e- danger, which rs yet was lurking
and mysterious one. But when ligh
shot ND from below and the irreguIa
~ opening before me became loophol
through which / could catch yer
, wide glimpse of the library beneath.
MT found that it was not necessary ior ~
to warn them to keep away from III
hearth, as they were all clustered yer
life near the door-a precaution not alt
nv gether uncalled for at so hazardous
moment
ext "Are you ready?" I called down.
"Readyw rose in simultaneous r
NV Spouse from below.
~ q .Then look out!''
,,no Reaching for the spring cleverly co
har cealed In the wall at my right vigc
o,,,- ously pressed 1T.
row The result was instantaneous. Siie'
we ". but with unerring certainty, son
had thing small, round and deadly 1
oc- plumb from the library ceiling
ago, where the settlr had formerly sto
con- against the hearthstone. Finding no
re- ing there but vacancy to expend It's
dge upon. it swung about for a nome
the on what looked like wire or wh
Trey. cord. then slowly came to rest VIII
ran a foot or so from the floor.
pic cry from the Mortified officials
/ no low was what first brought me 10
cites self. withdrawing from my narr
olice quarters, fastened down to them
added one more white face to the III
20 in found congregatel in the doorw
gain In the diabolical ingenuity we had
, MIR. displayed crime had reached It's ac
md the cup of human depravity Sc
and ed full.
When we had regained in some MI
oeak. ure our self possession we all
10 70. vnnced for closer look at the u
vour derous object dangling before us.
nroof found 1t to be heavy leaden we
g ac- nainted on its lower end to match
Tut- bosses of stucco work which appe;
q ot regular intervals in the orname
N on ton of the ceiilnS. "nen 49,"
deed into place-tnat Is, witch oeeupy ...s
hole from which it now hung susp
Sc. ed-the portion left to protrude W
It SO evidently bear so small propoi
effrey to its real DuiK as W Jusy 80
fine in believing it to be the mate. and
harmless mate, of all the others.
ok. ut hangs just where the
J Tut STOOD" observed Durbin signiiical
and just at the point where
show cushions invite rest, as the colon
suggestively puts 1t in his strange
laid l. zie Oh u conie''''
IN for trlct htlorney' .,.oJ
erself, "heplace tne oio nen'' 49, 20 :
or act major. land let us make sure OF I
GUS of Ready hands at once grasped II