Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-18

gave low gnowl of fear and rage. and
made for the office door. He began
scratching at the threshold. and emitted
perfect volley of banks. 1t did not sound
like dog but whole pack. Gordon.
with an impulse which he could not under
stand, quickly put out the prism-fringed
lamp which hung over his table. Then he
sprang to the dog and had the dog by the
collar. BE still. Jack he said in low
voice, and the dog obeyed instantly. al
though he was quvering under his hand.
Gordon could feel the muscles run like
angry serpents under the smooth white
back. But the animal was so we'll trained
that he barked no more. He only growled
very softly, if to himself. and quivered.
Gordon ordered him to charge in whis-
per. and the dog stretched himself at his
feet, although it was like the crouch of
live wire. Then Gordon rose and went
softly to window beside the door. The
office had very heavy red curtains. 1t was
impossible. since they were Closely drawn,
that q ray of light from within should
have been visible outside. Gordon had
reasoned it out quickly when he ex-
tinguished the lamp. Whoever was with
out would have had no possible means of
knowing that anything except the dog was
in the office. but the light once out, Gordon
tain, without being himself seen, what or
who was about. He had premonition of
what he should see and he saw II. The sta
BILE door was almost directly opposite that
v
was a driveway On this driveway the only
pale thing to be seen in the darkness was the
TALL black figure of man standing per-
fectly still, as If watching. His attitude
was unmistakable. The long lines Of him,
upreared from the pale streak Of the drive
way, were plainly to be read as a sign
post. They signified watchfulness. His
back was toward the office. He stood face
toward the curve of the drive toward the
road where any one entering would first
be seen. Gordon, peeping around his cur
tain, knew the dark figure as he would
have known his own shadow. In one sense
1t had been for years his Shadow, and
that added to the horror Of it. The man
behind the curtain watched, the man In the
drive watched: and the dog. crouched at
the threshold OF the door, watched with
what sublmated sense God alone knew,
which enabled him to know as much as
his master, and now and then came the
low growl. Gordon began to formulate the
DRY in his mind. He remembered suddenly
the man whom Aaron had driven home. He
realized that the watching man might east
ly have mistaken him for Gordon him
self, going away with his man to make
call upon some patient. He suspected, with
intensity which became certainty that
the man knew that Clemency and Elliott
were out and would presently return. and
that Ii was for them he was watching.
All the time he thought Of the sick woman
upstairs, and was glad that her room
faced on the other side Of the house. He
was in agony lest she should be disturbed
Dr. Gordon was usually a man Of re-
sources. but now he did not know what to
do. The dark figure on the park drive
made now and then precautionary mo-
ton of his right arm as he watched, which
was significant Gordon knew that he was
holding a revolver in readiness. In the
event Of Aaron returning alone he would
that he might slip away. In the event OF
James and Clemency returning first, Cor
don thought that he knew conclusiveiy
what he purposed-a bullet for James, and
then away with the girl, unless he was
hindered.
Gordon let the curtain slip back into
place, and with a warning gesture to the
dog who was ready for action. he tiptoed
across the room to the table, in a drawer
| Of which he kept his own revolver. He
| with careful hands. No revolver was there
He made sure. He even opened other
drawers and rummaged. but the weapon
cided for moment. Then he went softly
out Of the room, bidding in a whisper the
dog to follow. He crept upstairs and
Ewaa
once spoke. as that you. dear?" she said.
Eyes, wanted to tell you not to be
frightened. dear. If you should hear shot
There was a rustling in the dark room.
Mrs. Ewing was evidently sitting up in
bed. ''Oh, Tom, what Is itr' she whis-
pered.
Gordon forced laugh. Nothing at ALL"
he replied. except there's q fox or some
thing out in the yard. and Jack is wild. I
may get shot at him. Do you know where
my revolver is?"
why. where you always keep 1t. dear.
in the table drawer In the Office"
II don't seem to see 1t. guess I win
take your little pistol.
''Oh, Tom. l am sorry. but I know that
day. You remember that time Emma
dropped 1t. / think something or other got
bent. You know It was delicate little
thing"
''Oh, WELL" said Gordon. carelessly, 81
dare say can find my revolver"
II don't see who could have taken 1t
away" said Mrs. Ewing. II am sorry