Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-12-06
GcoNrrNUED.1

but was seeing everything now in
different light. and found myself no
longer inclined either to exaggerate or
to mlsinterpret these little marks of
flial solicltude. Trying to rejoice over
the present condition of my mind, l
was searching in the hidden depths OF
my nature for the patience of which
stood in such need when every thought
and feeling were again thrown into
confusion by the receipt of another
communication from the inspector in
which he stated that something had
occurred to bring the authorities round
to my way OF thinking and that the
test with the stiletto was to be made
at once.
Could the irony of fate go further?
dropped the letter half read, Querying
If 1t were my duty to let the inspector
know of the flaw | had discovered in
my own theory before proceeded with
the attempt l had suggested when l
believed in its complete soundness
had not settled the question when |
took the letter up again. Rereading its
opening sentence. | was caught by the
word something" 1t was a very in
definite one, yet was capable of cover
ing large field. 1t must cover Il large
field or it could not have produced such
change in the minds of these men,
conservative from principle and in this
instance from discretion. | would be
satisfied with that word something"
ana quit further thinking. was weary
of It, The inspector was now taking the
initiative, and | was satisfied to be his
simple instrument and no more
Arrived at this conclusion how
, ever. read the rest of the letter. The
test was to go on. but under different
conditions. 1t was no longer to lie
made at my own discretion and in the
: upstairs room; 1t was to be made at
luncheon hour and in Mr.. Grey's pri-
vate dining room. where, if by any
chance Mr.. Grey found himself out
ragged by the placing of this notorious
weapon beside his plate, the blame
could be laid on the waiter, who, mis-
taking his directions. had placed 1t on
Mr.. Grey's table when 1t was meant
for Inspector Dalzelrs. who was lunch
ing in the adjoining room. 1t was I.
, however, who was to do the placing.
With what precautions and under what
circumstances will presently appear.
Fortunately the hour set was very
near: otherwise I do not know how
could have endured the continued
strain of gazing on my patients sweet
face looking up at me from her pillow,
with shadow over its beauty which
had not been there before her fathers
return.
And that father could hear him
pacing the library floor with a restless
ness that struck me as being strangely
akin to. my own inward anguish of
tmpatience and doubt What was he
dreading? What was it l had seen
darkening his face and disturbing his
manner when from time to time he
pushed open the communicating door
and cast an anxious glance our way,
only to withdraw again without utter
ing word? Did he realize that cri-
sis was approaching, that danger men
aced him, and from me? No, not the
latter, for his glance never strayed to
me. but rested solely on his daughter
| was therefore not connected with the
disturbance in his thoughts. AS far as
that was concerned. | could proceed
fearlessly; l had not him to dread, only
the event. That | did dread as any
one must who saw Miss Grey's face
during these painful moments and
heard that restless tramp in the room
! beyond
At last the hour struck-the hour at
/ which Mr.. Grey always descended to
lunch. He was punctuality itself, and
under ordinary circumstances | could
depend upon his leaving the room with
in five minutes of the stroke of /. But
would he be as prompt today? Was he
In the mood for luncheon? Would he
go downstairs at all? Yes, for the
tramp, tramp stopped. | heard him APP
preaching his daughters door for a
last look in and managed to escape
just in time to procure what l wanted
and reach the room below before he
came.
My opportunity was short. but | had
tipe to see two things-frst. that the
location of his seat had been changed
so that his back was to the door lead
Ing into the adjoining room; secondly,
that this door was ajar. The usual
waiter was in the room and showed
no surprise at my appearance, I hav.
ing been careful to have it understood
that hereafter Miss Grey's appetite
was to be encouraged by having her
soup served from her fathers table by
her fathers own hands and that
should be there to receive it,
"Mr. Grey is coming" said |, ap-
. preaching the waiter and handing him
the stiletto loosely wrapped in tissue
paper. "Will you be kind enough to
place this at his plate, just as 1t is? A
| man nrnro IL 10 mo fnr Mr. Gror. enid