Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-29
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Closed Door.


The Closed Door.
The road was once the highway, but
the tide having played so many tricks
with its numberless bridges new one
had been built farther up the cliff,
carrying with it the life and business
OF the small town. Many old land
marks still remained--shops, ware
houses and even few scattered dwell
ings. But most Of these were desert
ed, and those that were still in use
showed such neglect that 1t was very
evident the whole region would soon
be given up to the encroaching sea
and such interests as are inseparable
from it.
The hour was that mysterious one
OF late twilight, when outlines lose
their d1sttnctness and sea and shore
melt into one mass of uniform gray.
There was no wind and the waves
came in with soft plash, but SO near
to the level OF the road that 1t was
evident. even to these strangers, that
the tide was at its height and would
presently begin to ebb
Soon they had passed the last for
saken dwelling, and the town proper
lay behind them. Sand and a few
rocks We're all that lay between them
now and the open stretch of the ocean,
which, at this point, approached the
land In a small bay, well-guarded on
either side by embracing rocky heads.
This was what made the harbor at
c.
1t was very still. They passed one
team and only one. Sweetwater looked
very sharply at this team and at Its
driver, but saw nothing to arouse sus-
picion. They were now a half-mile
from c., and, Seemingly, in a per-
fectly desolate region
A mandatory here!" exclaimed
Mr.. Grey. It was the first word he
had uttered since starting.
mot far from here was Sweet
waters equally laconic reply; and, the
road taking turn almost at the mo-
ment of his speaking, he leaned for
ward and pointed out a building stand
ing on the right-hand side of the road,
with its feet in the water. "That's
It," said he. "Tney described it well
enough for me to know it when see
it. Looks like robbers hole at this
time of night" he laughed; "but what
can you expect from mandatory of
patent medicine?"
MT. Grey was silent. He was look
ing very earnestly at the building.
1T Is larger than Iexpected," he re.
marked at last.
Sweetwater himself was surprised,
but as they advanced and their point
of view changed they found it to be
really an Insignificant structure, and
Mr.. Wellgood's portion OF 1t more in
significant STILL.
In reality It was a collection of
three stores under, one roof: two Of
them were shut UP and evidently I'M
occupied, the third showed a lighted
window, This was the mandatory.
lit occupied the middle place and pre-
sented a tolerably decent appearance.
1t showed, besides the lighted lamp 1
have mentioned, such signs Of life as
la few packingIboXe tumbled out on
the small platform in front, and a
Whinnying horse attached to an empty
buggy, tied to a post on the opposite
side Of the road.
1 I'm glad to see the lamp" NUT
tered Sweeewater. Nov, what shall
we do? Is it light enough for you to
see his face, If can manage to bring
him to the door?"
Mr.. Grey seemed startled.
It's darker than thought" said
he But call the man and If can
not see him plainly, III shout to the
horse to stand, which you will take as
signal to bring this Wellgood near
er. But do not be surprised il I ride
Off before he reaches the buggy. I'll
come back again and take you up far
ther down the road
All right, sir" answered Sweet.
water, with side glance at the speak
er's inscrutable features. TITS got"
And leaping to the ground he ad-
vanced to the mandatory door and
Knocked loudly.
No one appeared.
He tried the latch; 1t lifted, but the
door did not open: 1t was fastened
from within.
"Strange!" he muttered, casting a
glance at the waiting horse and buggy,
then at the lighted window, which was
on the second floor directly over his
head. Guess I'll sing out"
Here he shouted the mans name.
"Wellgood! say, Wellgood!"
No response to this either.
Looks bad!" he acknowledged to
himself; and, taking a step back, he
looked up at the window.
1t was closed, but there was neither
shade nor curtain to obstruct the view.
DO you see anything?" he inquired
OF Mr.. Grey, who sat with his eye at
the small window in the buggy top.
Nothing"
mo movement In the room above?
No shadow at tie Window"
Nothing"
well, it's COMPOUNDED strange!"
And he went back. still calling Well
good.
The tied-up horse whinnied, and the
waves gave a soft splash and that was
all,-if / except Sweetwater's muttered.
oath.
Coming back, he, looked again at the
window, then, with a gesture toward
Mr.. Grey, turned the corner of the
bpilding and began to edge himself
a1nno re ci5n IN ~.