The Washington herald., 1908-04-10
CHAPTER XVI.


distinctly heard the key in the lock; at
others fl. sounded as though the closed
door yielded 70 his touch and swung
aside for him TO pass beyond It closed
always with thud. as though felt had
been placed upon it to prevent any metal
lie clang.
While Charlie watched the great fnan-
ciers every movement, Max was unceas-
ing in his inquiries regarding Marion
Advertisements had been published In
the personal columns Of various news
papers. and the private inquiry agents
whose aid he had sought had been unre-
hitting in their vigilance.
The whole affair from beginning to end
now showed the existence of some power
ful hand which had directed and rem
dered the mystery beyond solution, The
strange temperance Of Jean Adam and
Leonard Lyle had been followed quickly
by the extraordinary flight OF DR.. Petro-
witch and Maud The latter had only an
hour before she had disappeared into
space made some remarkable confession
TO Marion-a confession which might or
might not save Samuel statham from an
ignominious death.
But the girl had preserved the secret
Of the confession eonfded to her by her
friend, and, preferring shame and mis-
judgment, she Ia turn had disappeared,
whittier no one knew
The two men. brother and lover. who
had now united their forces TO solve the
problem and at the same time ascertain
for themselves what the secret of the
house IN Park lane really was, were at
their wits ends. Their inquiries and their
efforts always led them into a cul-de-sac
At every turn they seemed foiled and
bafled. And was 1t surprising when 1t
was considered the power Of Samuel
Statham and the means at his command
for the preservation of a secret?
Charlie felt that he was being watched
hourly by one or other Of those spies who
sometimes gave such valuable informa-
ton TO the head Of the firm. Some Of
these secret agents Of Statham he knew
by sight, but there we're others unseen
and unknown.
Even though Max and his friend were
able TO enter unheard and secrete them
selves before the place was locked up by
old Levi, yet there wGs that white door
barring their passage 10 the mystery be-
yond. Many times they discussed the
possibilities, and each time hesitated
Charlie was sorely puzzled regarding the
key Of the iron door. Sometimes it was
undoubtedly used, some- INES not.
At last one evening, after both men had
olned at the St James, Of which Max
was a member. they resolved upon a bold
Tnoxra {fh4vE{a esro--rac4a4 IL +t- .+t.--
was at once ready and eager.
So after Max had been round 10 his
rooms TO put on a suit Of dark tweeds,
he went TO Charles chambers. where the
various implements were produced and
laid upon the table It was then nearly
10 o'clock.
Rolfe, having sent Green to the other
END of JeTmyn street out Of the way,
drew out the whisky decanter from the
tantalus stand. poured out two pegs
with soda, and drank:
Success to the elucidation Of old Stat
hams secret"
Then. carefully slowing the various
articles in their pockets, they slipped
down into the street and were out OF
sight before the inquisltiye Green had re-
turned.
Arrived in Park lane, after a hasty
walk, they strolled slowly along by the
park railings past the house. All was in
darkness save the hall, where the cleo
trie lamp showed above the fanlight, Old
Sam was probably IN his study, smoking
his last cigar, for the shutters were that
night closed. as they sometimes were.
The shutters Of the basement were also
closed behind their iron bars, while at
the upstairs windows all the blinds were
carefully drawn
Indeed, The exterior OF the house pre-
sented nothing unusual It was the same
as any other mansion IN Park lane. Yet
there were many who on going up and
down the ther0ughfare afoot or on the
motor buses jerked their thumbs at it
and whispered. The house had earned
reputation for mystery. Sam Statham
was mystery In himself, and OF his
house many weird things were alleged.
Thrice the pair passed and repassed.
At the corner OF Deanery street stood a
constable. and while he remained there
it was injudicious 70 attempt an entry
with a latchkey. So they stroued back IN
the direction Of the fountain, eonversing
in undertones.
Max glanced at his watch, and found
that It wanted a quarter to IL At last
they crossed the road and passed the
door. All seemed quiet AT that moment
the only object in sight was a receding
motor bus showing its red tail-light. Not
scul was on the pavement
All clear." cried Charlie, scarce above
a whisper, as he slipped up the two or
three steps. followed by his companion.
That moment was an exciting one. Next
second, however, the key was in the
latch, and without a sound the wards of
the lock were lifted
In another moment the pair stood
within the brightly-lit hau. and the door
was closed nOlselessly behind them.
Standing there, within 8 few yards OF
the door CT the library, where from the
smell Of tobacco smoke il was evident
that OLD sam was taking his ease, they
We're IN imminent risk Of discovery. Be
Sides Levi had habit Of moving With
out sound in his old felt slippers, and
might at any moment appear up the sairs
from the lower regions
Instinctvely Charlie glanced upstairs
toward the locked door But the next
second he motioned his companion TO fol-
low, and stole on tiptoe over the thick
Turkey carpets past the mllllOnairets
door and on into q kind OF small conserv-
atory which lay behind the hall and was
in darkness.
Though leading from the room behind
the library, 1t was a fairly good spot as
& place Of hiding. yet so vigilant was old
Levi that the chances were he would
come IN there poking about ere he retired
to rest.
ine two men stood together behind q
bank OF what had once been greenhouse
plants, but al Of them had died by neg
lect and want OF water long ago. The
range Of pots and dried stalks SIN re-
mained, forming an enectual barrier he /
hind which they could conceal Themselves
Through the long French window of the |
room adjoining the light shone and |
Charlie slowly creeping forward. peered |
within.