The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-04-05

mysteries hat cone once IN q nfe
time
Loder made no movement -Yol
must explain be said very quietly.
lillian smiled That's just what
want 70 do. When I was In my ten
on the night OF Blanche's party. a mar
came 20 he gazed for. He came JUS
ike anybody else and laid his hands
upon the table. He hnd strong. thin
hands llke-well. rather Ike yours
But he wore two rings on the third I'm
ger Of his left hand-a heavy signel
ring and plain gold one"
Loder moved his hand imperceptibly
till the cushion covered H. Lillian's
words cause him no surprise. scarcely
even any trepidation. He felt now
that be had expected them. even wait
ed for them. al along.
Il asked him 70 take on his rings. =
she went on. ''and iyst Tor a second be
hesitated-I could feel him hesitate
Then he seemed to have made up bis
mind. for be drew them OF. He drew
them on, Jack, and guess what l sawl
Do guessrT
Fer the first time Loder involuntari-
~ drew back into his corner Of the
couch. Il never guess" he said
brusqueiy.
Then I'll tell you His hands were
the hands of my Englishman! The
rings covered the scar made by Ko
Kos teeth. I knew IT instantly-the
second my eyes rested ON it, 1t was
the same scar that l had bound up
dozens of times. that had seen healed
before left Santasalare."
"And you? What did you dor Lo-
der felt 1t slngularly difficult and un-
pleasant to speak.
"Ah. that's the point. That's where
was stupid and made my mistake
should have spoken TO him on the
moment. but | didn't You know how
one sometimes hesitates. Afterward
1t was too late"
''But you saw him afterward-in the
roomsg' Loder spoke unwillIngly.
mo, | didn't-thats the other point.
haven't seen him since Directly he
was gone l left the tent--I pretended
to be hungry and bored-but, though
went through every room. he was no
where to be found Oncer--ghe hest |
tatcd and laughed again -once !
thought / had found him, but 1t was |
only YOU YOU, as you stood In that |
doorway with your mouth and chin |
hidden by Leonard Kaine's head. |
Wasn't 1t quaint mistaken |
There was an uncertain pause. Then |
Loder, feeling the need Of speech.
broke the silence suddenly. Where
10 / come inY' he asked abruptly /
What am | wanted for?"
ITO help to throw light on the mys-
cry! I've seen Blanche's list of peo-
lie, and there wasn't man couldn't
)lace no outsider ever squeezes
through Blanche's door. | have Ques-
Toned Bobby Blessington. but he can't
who came to the tent last
Ind Bobby was supposed to have kept
Ountr She spoke In deep scorn, but
lmost Immediately the scorn faded
nd she smiled again Now that I've
Explained. Jack" she added, what do
on suggest: -
Then for the first time Loder knew
THAT his presence in the room really
leant, and at best the knowledge was
1t is not every day
hat man is called upon to unearth
imself
"SuggestT he repeated blankly. 4.
Eyes. I'd rather have your Idea Of
nc affair than anybody else's. You q
re so dear and sarcastic and keen G
lat you can't help getting straight at 0
le middle Of a fact Ia
When Lillian wanted anything she
,uld be very sweet She suddenly
ropped her half petulant tone; she
iddenly ceased to be spoiled child
nth perfectly graceful movement q
re drew quite close to Loder and slid a
,ntly to her knees. s.
This is an attitude that few women a
n safely assume. IT requires all the q
tributes of youth, suppleness and .
rtain buoyant ease. But Lillian new
acted without justification and as
e leaned toward Loder her face lift o
, her slight figure and pale hair soft p
ed by the freight, she made a pic e
re that it would have been difficult 81
criticise.
But the person who should have ap-
eciated it stared steadily beyond It l.
the fire. His mind was absorbed by :,
e questionable question Of how he =
ght reasonably leave the house be- re
e. discovery became assured. II
Ito be Continued.) y