Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-05-30

Like the OJilGI houses III the IOM,
it looked Lalf asleep Not a winio@
but mad its blinds down, and not a
soul was stirring. But there was a
small Apartments in one
frame, that was all.
Now, thought CyrI, what shall |
do? what would a detective do?
would he go and knock at the door
and say: If you please, what do you
know of the attempt at burglary at
Lorme Abbey?' l rather fancy not.
No. think he would, having satisfied
himself that there is such place,
20 home and rest for an hour or two,
and plan out the campaign"
Tired as he was when he reached
the hotel, Cyril did not seek the short
rest he meant TO take, until he had
written 10 Leola.
Having written this, and taking a
CAP, drove TO the offices OF Messrs.
Surge & Surge, the lawyers.
1t was past noon when he jumped
into hanson, and was conveyed to
No. Is Suffolk street.
! At last he went up the steps and
| knocked at the door; what he should
say when his summons was answered
he did not know; but it would, at
least, be something to get glimpse
Of the interior of the house.
He waited for a few minutes, then
knocked again, and presently heard
footsteps ascending from the base
ment; a heavy chain Was withdrawn
and the door opened, about a foot
only, by a woman.
She was about middle age, very
thin, with a sharp, hatchet-like face,
who seemed n a Strange, indefinite
way familiar 10 him. During the
few seconds they stared at one an
other Cyril tried to recall her feat
ures, but failed. At last she said;
What do you want, sir? Apart
ments?'
Yes" said Cyril on the spur OF
the moment accusing himself OF
stupidity in not thinking of that ex-
cuse before.
The woman opened the door and
Cyril walked into the passage. 1t
was quite bare
Seeing him look round him with
some surprise, the woman said, IN a
quiet. constrained voice:
The apartments are are IN
furnished, and l think they are let; al
least a letter came from a gentle
man this morning, and | suppose its
someone IS wants TO take them
"A letter." said Cyril, quickly
what was the name on the en-
yelope?"
Here it is" said the woman, TAX
ing a letter from her pocket.
Cyril took it. 1t was addressed;
MIR. Cyril Kingsley,
No. l3 Suffolk street,
"Kingsland. -
and it was in the handwriting OF the
anonymous note.
Cyril nodded.
1T is for me- he said, and draw
ing a little away, he opened the let
ter. It was very short.
You did well to act on my intor-
nation. Take the apartments, and
keep in London for few days, IN
til you hear from me again
y will take the rooms-how much
are they?"
the woman.
Here is a sovereign in advance, "
said Cyril
Very good. sir" salu the woman,
and opening the hall door let him
out,
The first thing he did, when he got
round the corner. was to look at the
letter.
Yes. it certainly was in the same
handwriting, and it was even more
like Cicely stanhope's than before.
Unsatisfactory as it was, he felt
that he could trust Cicely Stanhope,
and that the mystery of the midnight
visitor could be cleared up,
The day passed, as the longest dar
will. and before seven O'Clock Cyril
was rafting down Suffolk street.
As there was not so much need for
disguise now. he drove straight to
the door and knocked boldly, There
was no answer. He knocked again,
and again. and again; the cabman
lounging over the top of the cab, ana
enjoying his fares discontinue, as
cabmen invariably do
Ten minutes passed in this way
and then Cyril concluded that Mrs.
Thompson had not returned.
What should he do? Wait He
lit a cigar, and tramped round the
I streets-the cab discreetly waiting
at a public house mean vhile-and
then. after the lapse of half an hour,
he came back and knocked again.
Still no answer. But presently 4
window Of the next house was opened,
ana a man looked down wrathfully at
Cyril and demanded what he was
knocking for.
An answer" said Cyril.
whats the use of that?" said the
man, and drew in his head: but pres
en4y he appeared at the street door.
You've made mistake in the
number I should think he said.
that's an empty house
We'll he said. perhaps you are
sight. ana much obliged, and sorry