The Washington times., 1907-08-11


gone for good. resolved not 70 risk
staying there after that Somebody
else might come
He had just about shot back the bolt
on the front door. ready TO 60 out.
when he thought Of the prisoner. She
must not be left there. locked in. But.
before he could take one step 20 re-
lease her. he heard a football on the
walk outside, the bell rang again. and
the dO0rknob ratified He sprang into
the front room just IN time % avoid
facing the newcomer. for the door
swung open as he shook the knob and
he entered. crying OUT
DO you keep your doors unlocked
here2"
At the same moment there came q
vigorous humping on the floor from
underneath. as II # were being
pounded with a stick OF timber. The
stranger exclaimed under his breath
and FASTENED down the cellar stairs.
when Hobus. knowing what he would
discover there, softly slid into the
street and hurried away. That was all
he knew about H. He had not In
tended 20 hurt the woman. only 10
scare her and show her how sometimes
the best Of US cannot 90 as we would:
and he had not seen any money IN the
house 20 say nothing Of taking any
away. The man. whoever he was. had
certainly let the woman out. for he
knew she or somebody was down there,
and Hobus had heard him descending
the cellar stairs.
This story was ridlcUled By the, po-
lice. yet they could not account f0r
the fact that no money was found on
the prisoner. He was sober. too. which
hardly would have happened II there
were any cash where he. could get hold
OF H. They took him 10 Miss Wetcheu
for Identification, and when she de-
clared him 20 be the guilty one he re-
peated his yarn over again.
7 heard the dOorben ring she said.
In answer. and I thought I heard
voices. So knocked on the floor with
a stick. Then somebody came down
the cellar stairs. and I ran 20 the door
and cried out that 1 was locked IN
there. but as the person turned
around and went Up. I supposed Il was
you and that nobody had come in In
deed. how could anybody get IN with
the door Jocked2 didn't suppose you
would open II for anybody"
Wa al-he ratified the knob, and ths
door come open began Hobus,
when she started Up and stared al him.
crying out IN agitation:
Did you say he shook the door
knob?"
Yes" saic Hobus. suIenly. I've
said II afty times. Amt that eEough?"
She sank back on the couch, where
she had been lying. with a pale anu
troubled fact
What IS IL, Miss WetcheL?" asked
the officer Of police who had the pris-
Oner In charge
1T can't be anything bUt q coin
cidence,' she said IN low voice, but
IL Is very strange, very strange"
But what is stranger" he urged
gently Miss Wetcheu was a person
o. property, and as such entitled %
the respect and Difference OF the guar
dians OF the city's peace They were
all OF them very polite when they came
in contact with her.
Well she answered. you know
am alone hers, and I don't like 70 an
swer the bell unless I can see who is
running Il, especially at night. So US
ually / 70 upstairs and look from the
window down onto the steps. But 30
save me that trouble with my own
fOlks-I haven't many. you know. only
two or three distant relatives-it IS
understood that when II is one CE
them al the door. she viii pull the
bell and then loudly rattle the knob.
so III know. That is all II the per
son OF whom this man speaks ratt-td
Il Il was-was very She looked
at the officer and he looked from L1r
20 Hobus. with & subtle change Of eE-
pressive fitting over his face.
Are all your folks women ls
asked her. You said she would rat
tie"
NO. they are notr' Miss WetcheI
cried, sitting up And II you can find
out that any Of them did this horrible
thing, and II you get this money
back
1T was him done IT," interrupted
Hobus. nodding his head wisely.
"'Twan't me"
The officer again glanced at him and
back at Miss wetcheu swiftly.
Miss WetGhell." he said, do you
suspect anybOdyT'
Yes. I do-now!'' she answered. with
emphasis "One OF my folks IS not a.
woman He Is q man. OF a small part
OF one. and It would ts more like l.m
70 do tt She stopped speakilS
and lay back on the couch as II eK-
hausted. But she no sooner had
touched the pillow than she bounded
up again His name" she almost
screeched. is Ferdinand BOSWELL. and
he lives at Il Pearl street. IN Went1u-
Vile. II any man rang that bell ana
at the same time ratified the doorkn05,
he is the one I always knew Es
wanted my money, and would do any
thing tc get 1.-THE wretched per
SOM You come heret'
The last phrase was addressed 20
Hobus. She seemed 20 think she had
had done him an injury by suspectirg <
him Of the theft Of the money, and,
overlooking his treatment OF her in
the past she sought now 20 forgive
him for this. as a Kind woman would
do. and make honorable amends for
her suspicion.
Hobus stood where he was
You so sizzIe," he said, disguised
". There's people that's low. n
there's people that's high ] s'pose.
Folks SAYS SO. anyhow. 4 never seen
no low people but you You say
come here You say Il 10 me. Waal,