Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-27
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seems 90 me were weaving
-~ST= pretty strong chain about
tsz<-zj our friend Tremaine But
why should he have waited this long 10
look for the dlamondY'
Perhaps he's just discovered its
loss" suggested Godfrey.
"Or perhaps this is the first oppor-
tunity he's had. I've never before left
him alone here. and keep the snap GA
50 that tie door locks itself whenever
it's closed"
Godfrey sat for fun minute motion
less. his eyes fixed on the door.
"Of course" he said at last ut may
not have been the diamond he was
looking for. though / can't imagine
what else IL could be. But I've a the
CRY I want 60 test Suppose we take
a look at your bedroom"
1 followed him ina and turned up the
light He glanced around keenly and
went finally 10 the closet. which was
almost opposite the door leading into
the sitting room. lie entered the closet
and closed the door behind him After
n moment beard n scraplng noise and
perceived knife blade working back
and forth IN a crack Of the door
Finally the blade was withdrawn. the
door opened and Godfrey came out. lie
examined the lock. tried IL once or
twice with the key. which was IN II.
then he turned % me.
What time DO you leave In the
mOrningf" he asked.
About 7.30"
'Seyen-thirU. Very well. Now
must be going. Look FOR me in the
morning"
wait" I said, for /. too. had a sud
den Idea. You have a photograph OF
Thompson. I suppose? Bring il up in
the morning with You. should Ike 10
look at IT,"
"Ail right" he said. and after had
made sure that the coast was clear he
stole away upon tlptoe
Scarcely was I out Of bed next morn
ing when there came a light tap on my
door aud Godfrey slipped In the instant
I opened IT,
Il had few properties TO arrange"
he explained, smiling, "and so thought
I'd best come early"
opened the closet door. Then he took
from his pocket stout bolt. with
screws and screw driver. aud pro-
ceeded 10 atfix Il 10 the inside OF the
door
Now. my dear Lester" he said. ris-
Ing when the task was finished, "I'll
have 70 ask you 20 run up this noon
and let me outs
let you out OF whereT'
"Out OF the closet. You see. unfor.
tunately. this lock works only from the
outside, so you'll have 10 lock me In
before you go. I've put on the bolt as
en- extra precsution."
You mean you're going 10 spend the
whole morning in that closet?"
That's precisely what mean"
"But youn surocate."
"No-yOu see I've cut a hole through.
That will let IN the air; besides.
through IL one can get an admirable
view or the outer room"
"Ah!" ! said, beginning TO under.
stand Its trapr'
''Yes, trap. Maybe Wen catch
something and maybe we won't What
time do you usually go TO iunch?"
About l O'clock"
That ought to bring you here by
100. Very Wen; lock me In and take
The key with you"
l did as he babe mo, though not with.
out some reluctance, and / confess that
thought Of little else during the morn
ing.
One o'clock came at last and I hur-
ried out and took the elevated uptown
as the quickest way OF getting there.
It was just 100 when / opened my
door. With a little shiver OF apprehen-
sion l inserted the key in the lock Of
the closet and threw back the bolt.
Godfrey walked out on the Instant
He was smiling, but pale with fatigue
IF you've got such a thing as nip
OF brandy anywhere about, Lester" he
said, sinking into the nearest chair.
I'D be infinitely obliged for it. / feel
rather shaky in the knees"
1 brinimed a glass for him, and he
set 1t down empty, with a sigh of sat.
isfacti0n.
That's better. Do you know, 1
thought for time toward the last that
l was going TO collapse One little
crack Is scarcely ventilation enough
for an active pair of lungs. However,
was repaid"
you wereT'
Yes" and he smiled at my impa-
thence. IN tell you the story and see
what you make of IL. First came the
chambermaid, who performed her du-
ties with neatness and dispatch Then
a dreary half hour passed. had about
come to the conclusion that / might |
have spared my pains when I caught |
the sound Of a key ia the lock OF the |
outer door / heard the door open and |