Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-05-19
BY WILLIAM LIE ouEux

lot dlOue III lIldt. "A Soou iue1hs pSo
PIE believe the same of me. | am
gratifled to think they believe it. 1t
is my intention that they should"
"But, Mr.. Statham, we have asked
YOU question to which you have re-
fused to answer. We wish to know
what has become of Marion Rolfe.'
you were. engaged to her-eh?
1 Yes. know" responded the old man.
"For that very reason I refuse to tell
you. can only reassure you. how
ever, that you need experience no
anxiety"
| But 1 do. l love her!"
Then am very sorry, your mind
still continue to. be exercised; At !.
present l cannot tell you anything"
why"
"Have l not already told you? l
am expecting visitor.
| 1t was all the satisfaction they could
obtain.
Charlie longed for an opportunity
to refer to the gruesome object in
that locked room upstairs. The man
who had so suddenly reappeared and
sworn vengeance upon the great
no doubt, to the old mans clever
| 3.
enticed there to his death. The Sc
cret reason of the white enamelled
door at the top of the stairs was now
quite plain. In that house was ter
rible death trap, as deadly as it was
unexpected
They held knowledge of the truth.
How would the old man act?
Contrary to their expectations, he
! o,,jto ir5iffaropt Hp ovnn
offered them drink, which they re-
fused.
His refusal to tell them anything.
regarding Marion and his treatment
Of Maud had incensed them, and they
both were bitterly antagonistic to-
wards him. He was, no doubt, play
ing huge game of bluff His disre-
gard of their discoveries was in order
to lessen their Importance, and his
story of visitor told to gain time.
Probably he intended to make good
his escape.
Both were expecting every moment
that his GOODNESS would break down,
and that he would suggest that they
kept silence as to what lay concealed
on the floor above.
Indeed, they were not mistaken, for
| 49,
rather strained voice said
Nov, gentlemen, I admit that you
have discovered my secret; that my
position is-well-a disagreeable one,
to say the least. Is there any real
reason why you should divulge it-at
least for the present."
| Charlie shrugged his shoulders, and
Max at the same time realised that
a deadly fear was creeping back upon
the old man whose enormous wealth
had stifed all human feeling from his
soul
'T merely ask your indulgence
said the old man, IN a low. eager
tone.
I "For how long?"
"For day-maybe for week-or
perhaps month I cannot tell.
"That means that we preserve the
secret indefinitely"
"Until the arrival Of my visitor"
"Ah! the visitor!" repeated Max,
with grin Of disbelief. "When do
you expect the visit?"
ri have expected it during many
months" was the millionaires b ief
reply.
"And you can tell us nothing more?
Is not your story a somewhat lame
one?'
"Very-I quite admit it. But I can
only assure you of it's truth"
"It is not often you speak the
truth. Mr.. Statham, is it," asked Max,
pointedly.
'I suppose am like many another
man, was his reply. "I only speak it
when obliged"
AS he uttered those words there
sounded in the hall the loud electric
bell of the front door, 1t was rung
twice, whereupon old Sam drew him
self up in an instant in an attitude Of
alertness.
"The visitor!' he gasped, raising
his bony finger. ''The long expected
caller!"
The two rings were evidently pre-
arranged signal.
| They heard old Levi shutting out
side. The door opened, and he stood
Iexpectant looking at his master, but
uttering no word
Gentlemen exclaimed old Sam.
eff you will permit me, will go and
receive my visitor.s May l ask you
to remain here until / return to you
return to answer any inquiries you
may be pleased to put to me?"
The old fellow was quite calm
again. He seemed to have braced
himself up to meet his visitor, who
ever he or she might be. 1t was one
of his secret agents, Charlie thought,
without doubt
Both men consented, and old Sam
/ withdrew with Levi.
| please remain here I ask you
both to respect my wishes" he said,
and going out, closed the door be-
hind him.
The two men listened with strained
ears
They heard the sound of footsteps
outside, but as far as they could dis
tinguish no word was spoken.
Whether the mysterious visitor was
male or female they could not ascer-
tain. 49,
For several moments they stood at
the door, listening.
Then Max, unable to resist his own
curiosity. opened the door slightly,
and peered into the hall.
But only Levi was there, his back