Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-05-14

strange one.
Old Levi, standing statuesque at his
masters side, uttered some words
But the millionaire was silent. He
only raised his grey head and sat
staring at the great painting opposite
staring like a man peering into the
| grim unknown.
| The door that divided the watchers
from the watched prevented the words
from being overheard The thick
ness of it's glass prevented the truth
being known to the two men stand
| ing breathless behind it. Had 1t been
ordinary glass they would no doHbt
have overheard the conversation be.
tween the old man and his fair visitor.
The anger of both men had been
aroused by Statham's attitude towards
the girl. Even Charlie, faithful AMI
devoted as, he had been to the mil
lionaire, had now become fiercely an
tagonistic, for he had seen by the old
mans countenance that some terrible
revenge was intended upon the girl
he loved so dearly.
Levi bent and placed his hand ten
derby upon his masters shoulder.
But Statham shook him off, and,
SLi otdS6OlS W Ills
feet and paced the room in frenzy
of despair
Charlie recollected his agitation
after the unexpected discovery of
Jean Adam lounging outside the park
ratings. This repetition of his ap-
prehension showed him to be in ter
ror of exposure and denunciation.
Maud, so slim, sweet-faced, and in
nocent, had defied him. She held him
the man whose power in every Euro
pean capital was recognized and fear
ed, in the hollow of her hand.
Why? Aye, to that question there
was no answer They had witnessed
the scene, but they had caught no
sound Of one single word.
At last Levi succeeded in calming
his master. He mixed him another
brandy and soda and handed it to
him. The old man seized it with un.
steady hand, and tossed it off at a
single gulp.
Then he walked slowly from the
room, followed by Levi.
An instant later the old servant
turned the switch, and the room, and
with 1t the neglected conservatory
were plunged in darkness.
The two intruders listened. Voices
sounded, and then died away. A mo-
ment later they heard thud, and
knew that the old man had passed
beyond the white enamelled door and
had closed it behind him.
For another few minutes they re
manned in silence, then Max whisper
ed:
"Well, we must get out at all haz
ards. We can't stay here till morn
ing and court discovery" Rolfe ar
gued. eff we only had little light
we might see what we're doing. By
Jove! You've got pocket lamp
Max. Where is it?"
els it safe yet to show light?'
Barclay asked obviously. at may b.
seen from outside, you know"
''It can't. There's a blank wall op
posite"
"But will not the reflection be seer
by Levi from below: asked Max.
Rolfe saw that, after all, there wa!
some danger Of detection, and admit
ted it.
"Then let's wait bit," his com
panion whispered. "By patience We
may be able to escape without detec
ton Don't let us act indiscreetly."
So the pair, leaning against one O
the stands Of dead flowers, waited il
silence, their ears strained to catcf
every sound. The moments seemed
hours, until at last, all being quiet
Max, at his friends suggestion, press
ed the electric button Of the little
hand lamp and showed light upol
the door,
1t was half of glass, with stron,
lock and double bolts. To escap1
meant to break away hole larg'
enough for a mans body to pass
Max suggested that they might fin,
the key hanging somewhere upon
nail, as conservatory keys are Otter
kept in that manner But though
they searched the whole place, tread
ing lightly as they went, they wer.
unable to discover it,
Levi keeps it upon his bunch, eS
pect,' Charlie remarked. 1--WE neve
seen this door open in my life
That's why the flowers are all deas
perhaps Max remarked grimly will
a low laugh.
Flowers! Old Sam declared tina
they were no use to him, Therefore
| nv loi DcuC Low W SlNC CACll cAy " q
ter, and they all died. The old maj
isn't fond of fower Says they'r
only useful at weddings and fu
nerals."
There won't be many at his OF
sequies!' laughed Max beneath hi
breath, as he made another examina
ton of the door.
Both agreed that to open it was i'm
possible, while to break out the glas
was far too risky a proceeding, TO
some of it must fall upon the pavin
outside.
Rain had begun to fall, patterin
heavily upon Tie glass roof above
and as they were both searchin
about blindly for some other mode Q
egress Max suddenly exclaimed:
why, look here!" and pointed t
a portion of the glass side Of the cor
servatory which had opened outward
ly upon hinge, but which had bee
securely screwed up.
Excellent" cried Charlie, reali;
@Lo4 IL =