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

made for the office door. He began
scratching at the threshold. and emitted
perfect volley of banks 1t did not sound
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 a low
voice. and the dog obeyed instantly. al
though he was quivering under his hand.
angry serpents under the smooth white
hair; he felt the crest of rage along his
back. But the animal was well trained
that he barked no more. He only growled
very softly, as if to himself, and quivered
Gordon ordered him to charge in whis-
per. and the dog stretched himself at his
feet. although 1t was like the crouch of a
softly to a window beside the door. The
office had very heavy red curtains. 1t was
impossible since they were Closely drawn.
that 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
could peep around the curtain and ascer-
tain. without being himself seen. what or
who was about. He had a premonition of
what he should see and he saw IL. The sta
BILE door was almost directly opposite that
Of the office. Between the two doors there
was driveway. On this driveway the only
pale thing to be seen In the darkness was the
tall black figure of a man standing per-
fectly still. as II watching. His attitude
was unmistakable. The long lines Of him.
upreared from the pale streak Of the drive
way, were as plainly to be read as sign
post. They signif1ed 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
"a knew the dark figure q 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 much as
his master, and now and then came the
low growl. Gordon began to formulate q 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 it 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.
DIR. 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
probably be puzzled. and Gordon thought
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 warning gesture to the
across the room to the table. in drawer
| of which he kept his own revolver. He
| opened the drawer softly and rummaged
| with careful hands: No revolver was there.
He made sure. He even opened other
| drawers and rummaged, but the weapon
| was certainly missing; He stood unde-
cided for a moment Then ne went softly
| dog to follow. He crept upstairs and
paused at a closed chamber door. Then he
opened i very carefully snst Mrs Ewing sT s., At
Yes. / wanted to tell you not to be
frightened. dear. If you should hear shot
| or the dog bark"
There was a rustling In the dark room
Mrs. Ewing was evidently sitting up in
| bed. ''Oh. Tom, what Is it?'' she whis-
pered
Gordon forced a 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 a shot at him. Do you know where
my revolver is?''
why. where you always keep 1t. dear,
| in the table drawer in the Office"
81 don't seem to see it ] guess will
| take your little pistol"
''Oh Tom. I am sorry, but know that
won't go or. Clesnency tried II the other
day. You remember that time Emma
dropped 1t. / think something or other got
bent. You know 1t was a delicate little
thing"
"Oh. WELL" said Gordon. carelessIy, II
dare say can find my revolver
81 don't see who could have taken It
away" said Mrs. Ewing. Il am sorry