Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-20

1
f--7rg.,yy pretty strong chain about
E:G&J our friend Tremaine. But
why should he have waited this long to
look for the dianlondT
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 on
so that the door locks itself whenever
It's closed"
Godfrey sat for full 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 l can't imagine
what else it could be. But I've a the
DRY want to test. Suppose we take
a look at your bedroom"
followed him in and turned up the
light He glanced around keenly and
went finally to the closet. which was
almost opposite the door leading into
the sitting room. lie entered the closet
and closed the door behind him. After
moment heard n scraping 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Finally the blade was withdrawn, the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. He
examined the lock, tried it once or
twice with the key. which was in it,
then he turned to me.
What time do you leave in the
morning. he asked.
About 100"
'Seven-thrty, Very well. Now l
must be going, Look for me in the
morning"
Wait | said, for !. too, had sud
den idea. You have u photograph of
Thompson. ! suppose? Bring it up IN
the morning with you. | should like to
look a it,"
"All right he said. and after had
made sure that the coast was clear he
| stole away upon tiptoe.
Scarcely was | out of bed next morn
Ing when there came n light tap on my
door and Godfrey slipped in the instant
l opened it,
Il had Il few properties to arrange"
/
I'd best come early"
lie went on into the bedroom and
opened the closet door. Then he took
| from his pocket "A stout bolt, with
screws and screw driver. and pro
ceeded to affix it to the inside of the
! door
Nov. my dear Lester" he said, ris-
ing when the task was finished, "Tn
have to ask you to run up this noon
and let me out"
Let you out of where"
out of the closet. You see. unfor-
tunately. this lock works only from the
outside, so you'll have to lock me In
before you go. I've put on the bolt as
an extra precauton.'
You mean you're going to spend the
whole morning in thai closet!'
That's precisely what | mean
But you'll suffocate."
"No-you see I've cut hole through.
That will let in the mir; besides,
through it one can get an admirable
Wow Of the outer room
"Ah" | said, beginning to under
stand. ITS trap
Yes, tpap. Maybe we'll catch
something and maybe we won't What
time do you usually go 10 lunch?"
about l o'clock"
"That ought to bring you here by
100. Very we'll; lock me in and take
the key with you
l did as he babe me, though not with
out some reluctance. and | confess that
l thought of little else during the morn
ing.
One o'clock came Mt last and | hur-
red out and took the elevated uptown
as the quickest why of getting there.
1t was just 100 when l opened my
door. With little SILVER Of apprshen-
sion l asserted 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
l briAmed a glass for him, and he
set 1t down empty. with sigh Of sat
isfaction.
That's better. DO You know,
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 were?'