Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-12

thing bu, a cheerful meal. In
..,1rsS fact, it was evident that the
Sss house party possessed that ia
tai bar to succeeds, spirit of antag-
onism. Drysdale and Grace Croydon
maintained a careful silence, and Mrs.
Delroy was so obviously depressed that
her husband was alarmed.
As soon as the meal was over she
and her sister disappeared upstairs,
while the men lighted their cigars and
strolled down to the boathouse to view
the preparations made by the Grahams
for the protection of the necklace The
night was very close, with q promise of
rain unmistakable.
They went through the boathouse
without findin. any one, but out on the
pier beyond old Graham was sitting,
gazing across the water and smoking
an odoriferous pipe. Between his
knees he held Winchester repeater
and a revolver butt stuck from a case
at his side.
Delroy laughed quietly as he looked
at him.
"Why, you're regular arsenal" he
said. You're taking 1t in earnest for
sure You're not going to sit out here
all night, hope"
"Willum takes his trick at midnight,
sir. He's gone over t. tn house t. bring
cot an some beddin' down t TIL
penthouse. Well take turn an turn
about"
"Well." said Delroy, turning away,
II see can sleep without worrying
any over the safety Of the necklace"
AS they passed. through the boat
house again they perceived young
"Willum' busily engaged in making
up his bed on cot in one corner.
Delroy nodded to him and passed on
without speaking.
Its too nice 9, night to spend In the
house." said Drysllale, little abruptly,
as they mounted The steps to the door.
II believe III 60 for a tramp. I'll take
my raincoat, though. Then I needn't
hurry back"
Delroy shrugged his shoulders as
Drysdale entered the outer hall with
them and took down his raincoat from
the rack. Thomai, who was stationed
in the vestibule, helped him on with it.
''Goodby," he called from the door.
"Don't look for me. for an hour or two"
"All right, we won't worry" answer
ed Delroy. Though. for my part" he
added, as he and Tremaine went on
through the hall together, II prefer a
book before the fire. There's chill in
the air that strikes through one after
awhile, and Jack II soon get enough Of
1t. But I'd better go up and see how
my wffe's getting along. You'll ex-
cuse me7''
Certainly; and stay as long as you
like. I'm going to my room presently
myself. have some letters to write"
Delroy nodded and went on up the
stairs. Tremaine sank into one Of the
chairs before the fire and watched the
blazing logs, with an expression intent,
alert
=
For an hour or more Delroy sat
alone before the fire reading At last
he yawned, laid down his book, arose
and walked to the door. The wind was
rising; he could hear 1t roaring in the
trees, and every minute broad flash
Of lightning illumined the clouds on
the horizon.
There's a storm coming" he said
to Thomas, who was nodding at his
post. II wonder where the devil Drys-
dale went. He'd better be getting in
pretty soon"
As though In answer to the thought
dark figure appeared suddenly on
the walk, strobe UP the steps and open
ed the door. 1t was Drysdale.
He took OF his coat, threw it to
Thomas and went on into the inner
hall, where he stood rubbing his hands
before the fire, with face SO hope
less, fierce, despairlng, that Delroy was
fairly startled.
you may go to bed, Thomas" he
said. Then he went to Drysdale and