Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-09-09

noticed in him on q previous occasion.
"You have the air Of man bringing
news. Has anything fresh. happened
in the old housew
I assumed frankness which seemed
to impose en- him.
do you know" I sententiously in
formed him, II have a wonderful in
terest in that old hearthstone, or, rath-
er, in the seemingly innocent engrav-
ing hanging over it Of Benjamin
Franklin at the court of France.
tell you frankly that I had no idea of
what would be found behind the pic
ture."
I saw by his quick look that had
stirred up hornets nest This was
just what had calculated to do.
Behind it!' he repeated. "There Is
nothing behind it,
I laughed, shrugged my shoulders
and backed slowly toward the door.
"Of course you should know" 1 re-
torted, with some condescension. Then
as II struck by sudden remembrance:
"Oh, by the way, have you been told
that there is window on that floor
which does not stay fastened? Ispeak
OF 1t 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 it hard enough,
the catch falls back, and any one can
raise it even from the outside"
II will see to it." he replied, drop
ping his eyes, possibly to hide their
curious twinkle. "But what do you
mean about finding something in the
wall behind that old picture? 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 a semipatronizing wave
Of the hand. Not until ! was nearly
out Of earshot did I venture to shout
back the following words:
''I'll 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. I don't be-
lleve any harm will come from leav.
ing the place to itself for awhile"
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 should find Uncle Da-
vid there, and I did. When after a
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 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 I placed
upon this evidence of his daring and
unappeasable 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 had forgotten to rehang
it."
Involuntarily he glanced again at the
wall overhead, which was as 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 it heavily with his fist
"What did you imagine that you had
found2"
smiled, shrugged my shoulders in
tantalizing repetition Of my former
action upon a like occasion and then
answered brusquely:
II did not come backito betray police
secrets, but to restore this picture tc
Its place. Or perhaps you prefer tc
have it down rather than up? 1t ISM
much of an ornament"
He scrutinized me darkly from ovel
his shoulder, wary CLEAN showing
itself in his shrewd old eyes, and thu
idea crossed me that the momen
might possess more significance thai
appeared. But I did not step back
ward nor give evidence in any way
that had even thought of danger.
simply laid my hand OH the pictur,
and looked up at him for. orders.