The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-03-01

ture"
l saw by his quick look that had
stirred up hornets nest. This was
just what had calculated to do.
Behind itv' he repeated. "There is
nothing behind it,
l laughed, shrugged my shoulders
and backed slowly toward the door.
"Of course you should know" re-
torted, with some condescension. Then
as If struck by a sudden remembrance:
"Oh, by the way, have you been told
that there is a window on that floor
which does not stay fastened? 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 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 semipatronizing wave
Of the hand. Not until l was nearly
out Of earshot did 1 venture to shout
back the following words:
It'll be back in an hour. If anything
happens, If the boys annoy you or any
enc attempts to enter the old house,
telephone to the station or summon
the officer at the corner. I don't be-
neve 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. felt
assured that I should find Uncle Da-
Nd there, and I did. When after a
noiseless entrance and a careful ad-
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 had so lately lifted the pic
ture. He started as presented myself
And almost fell from the chair. But
careless laugh uttered assured
him Of the little importance placed
upon this evidence of his daring and
unappeasable curiosity, and he con-
fronted me with an enviable air of
dignity, whereupon I 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. l
came back because suddenly remem-
bered that had forgotten to rehang
It."
Involu1tarily he glanced again at the
wan overhead, which was as bare as
bis 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
% any chimney piece ever made"
Here he struck it heavily with his fist.
4 what did you imagine that you had
1ound7"
! smiled, shrugged my shoulders in
tantalizing repetition of my former
action upon like occasion and then
answered brusquely:
II 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
y idea crossed me that the moment
might possess more significance than
appeared. But I 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'I hesitated these
words: 1.-THE pictures in this house are
supposed to stay on the walls where
they belong. There is a traditional SUI
perstition against removing Them
Immediately lifted the print from
the floor. No doubt he had me at a
disadvantage, if evil was in his heart
and my position on the hearth was as
dangerous as previous events had
proved it to be- But it would not dc
to show the white feather at moment
when his fate if not my own, hung in
the balance; so, motiOning him to step
down, put foot on the chair and raised
the picture aloft to hang it. AS l did
SO he moved over to the huge settle OF
his ancestors and, crossing his arms
over its back, surveyed me with q
smile / rather imagined than saw
Suddenly, as | strained to put the
cord over the nail, he called out;
look OUT You'll fair
If he had intended 10 give me q start
in payment for my preyious rebu6 le
did not. succeed, for my nerves had
grown steady and my arm firm at the
glimpse bad caught OF the shelf be-
low me. The fine brown powder had
scattered there had been displaced III
five distinct spots, and not by my fin
gers. had preferred TO risk the loss