Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-11-17
and declared quite confidently to the

was before US of an unusual size and
make. Unlike any which had ever be-
| fore come under my observation, it
swung on a pivot, and, though shut
at the present moment, might very
easily, when opened, present it's huge
| pane at an angle capable Of catching
reflections from some of the many
mirrors decorating the reception-room
| situated diagonally across the hall. AS
| all the doorways on this lower floor
were of unusual width, an open path
was offered, as it were, for these re-
! Elections to pass, making 1t possible
for scenes to be imaged here which, to
the persons involved, would seem as
safe from any ones scrutiny as If they
were taking place in the adjoining
| house.
AS we realized this, look passed
between us of more than ordinary sig
nificance. Pointing to the window,
the inspector turned to a group of
walters watching us from the other
| side of the room and asked If it had
been opened that evening.
| The answer came quickly.
eyes, sir,-just before the-the-"
II understand" broke in the inspec-
tor; and, leaning over me, he whisp-
cred: Tell me again exactly what
you thought you saw"
But could add little to my former
description.
Perhaps you can tell me this" he
kindly persisted. 'Was the picture,
when you saw it, on level with your
eye, or did you have to lift your head
in order to see it?"
"It was high up,-in the air, as it
were That seemed it's oldest feature"
4 The inspectors mouth took salts.
fled curve.
Possibly might identify the door
and passage, if 1 saw Them sug-
gested.
Certainly certainly" was his cheer
full rejoinder; and, summoning one of
his men, he was about to give some
order, when his impulse changed, and
he asked If could draw.
| assured him, in some surprise, that
was far from being an adept in that
| direction, but that possibly I might
manage a rough sketch; whereupon
he pulled a pad and pencil from his
pocket and requested me to make
some sort of attempt to reproduce, on
paper. my memory of this passage and
the door.
My heart was beating violently, and
the pencil shook in my hand, but l
knew that it would not do for me to
show any hesitation in fixing for all
eyes what, unaccountably to myself,
continued to be perfectly plain to my
own. So 1 endeavored to do as he
babe me, and succeeded, to some ex.
tent, for he uttered slight ejacula-
| ton at one of its features, and, while
duly expressing his thanks, honored
me with very sharp look.
"Ts this your first visit to this
house?" he asked.
mo; have been here before
in the evening or in the after.
noon?"
'In the afternoon"
Il am told that the main entrance
! Is not In use tonight
mo. A side door is provided for oc.
casions like the present. Guests en-
tering there find special hall and
staircase, by which they can reach the
upstairs dressing-rooms, without
crossing the main hall. Is that what
you mean?"
Yes, that is what mean"
stared at him in wonder. What
lay back of such questions as these:
You came in, as others did, by this
side entrance" he now proceeded
Did you notice. as you turned to &c
up stairs, an arch opening into a small
passageway at your left?"
Il did not" l began, flushing, for
thought understood him now. "a
was too eager to reach the dressing
room to look about me-
4 very WELL" he replied; II may
want to show you that arch"
/ The outline Of an arch, backing the
figure we were endeavoring tc
identify, was a marked feature in the
sketch had shown him.
! viii you take a seat near BY
while I make study of this matter?'
turned with alacrity to obey. There
was something in his air and manner
which made me almost buoyant. Hat
my fanciful Interpretation of what
had seen reached him with the conyic
ton it had me? If so, there was hope
hope for the man loved, who hat
gone in and out between curtains, ant
not through any arch as he had men
toned or had described. Providence
"S"S s"oAhAAAso Aol lllC. i saw IL Ill UQS
way the men now moved about, swing
ing the window to and fro, under the
instruction of the inspector, manipulat
ing the lights, opening doors and draw
ing back curtains. Providence wax
working for me. and when, few min
utes later, l was asked to reseat my
self in my old place at the supper
table and take another look in tha-
slightly DETECTED glass, / knew tina
my effort had met with its reward, ant
/ that for the second time I was to re
ceive the impression of a place now
indelibly imprinted on my conscious
ness.
is not that it," asked the inspector
pointing at the glass with a last lool
at the imperfect sketch had made
him, and which he still held in hi.
hand.
yes" eagerly responded. "Al
but the man. He whose figure l SEE
there is another person entirely; Sc,
no remorse, or even fear, in hi:
looks"
"Of course not. You are looking a
the reflection OF one of my men. Mis-.