Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-05-12

This impression Is no use, sir. It's
what they call paracentric lock,
and you must have impressions of
both sides, as well as the exact
width back and front before can
make you duplicate
| The man showed how the impre-
sions should be taken. Max, of course,
connecting story as to why it was
wanted, and then back to London he
travelled that same night to consult
with his friend.
The outcome Of this was that two
days later complete impressions were
taken of the same latch key, and
within three days came the duplicate
| by post.
Max bought two electric torches.
two pairs OF felt slippers, a piece Of
thin but very strong rope, screwdriv,
er, chisel. and other implements, I'M
til he had full burglars equipment.
The preparations were exciting dur
ing the next few days, yet when they
came to gedrock fact there was that
| locked door which stood between
them and the truth
Charles object In obtaining a du-
plicate latch key was to enter noise
lessly one night shortly before
eleven and secrete themselves some
where until Levi bolted the door and
retired. They must take their
chances of making any discovery they
could. Both were well aware of evils
vigilance and his quickness of hear
ing. Therefore they would be COM
PEELED to work without noise, and also
to guard against hidden electric bur-
glar alarms which might be secreted
in the sashes of windows or in lintels
of doors.
Nearly fortnight passed before all
| arrangements were complete for the
nocturnal tour of investigation. Daily
Rolfe, though attentive to his duties
as the old mans secretary, was al
ways on the alert to discover the ex-
istence of that key to the iron door.
BY all manner of devices he endeav-
ored to compel Statham to unwit-
tingly reveal it's whereabouts. He
made pretence of mistaking various
keys to deed boxes and nests of
drawers, in order that the old man
should produce other keys. But he
was too wary and never once did he
fall into the trap.
Yet often he left the study, passed
up the stairs, and through the door
swiftly, until the younger man began
to suspect that it might be opened by
means of some secret spring.
Standing below, he could not obtain
sight Of the old fellow as he opened
the door, and to follow him half way
Up was TOO dangerous a proceeding.
He had rsked a good deal, but he
dare not risk the old mans wrath in
that
Still that he passed the door quick
! ly and without hindrance was plainly
shown. He had q key secreted some
where--a key which, when applied,
turned quickly, with ease and without
noise, to admit the owner of the
great mansion to the apartments
where his secret was SO successfully
hidden.
Sometimes he would descend pale
haggard and agitated, his hand upon
his heart, as though to recover his
breath. At others he was flushed and
angry, like man who had a moment
before taken part in heated discus
sion which had ended in a serious
difference.
Charlie watched all this and won
dered
What secret could possibly be hid.
den in those upper stories that were
at times SO brilliantly lit?
Each evening he called on Max at
Dover street, and, with closed door.
SO that the man should not hear, they
discussed the situation.
OF Jean Adam nothing further had
been seen. Neither had the hunchback
engineer, Leonard Lyle, been at all in
evidence. Ever since Max had given
the Frenchman his decision not to go
to Constantinople Adam had held
aloof from him. They had parted per-
fectly good friends, but Max could
detect the bitter chagrin that his re.
ply had caused.
One evening as the two sat togeth-
er. Charlie related his curious exper-
fence Of the shot, dark haired, good
looking girl who had met him in
Paris and talked so strangely OF
Maud in the Tuileries Garden.
Max sat smoking his cigar, listen
ing to every word.
"Curious--very curious!" he ejacu-
lated. Didn't she tell you her name?"
"she gave it as Lorena''
"Lorena." gasped the other start
ing up. "Lorena--why, 1t must have
been I.orena Lyle-old Lyle's daugh-
teri"
His daughter? I never knew he
had one"
mo; perhaps not He doesn't often
speak of her, l believe. saw her
| not LOVE
They have quarreled-father and
daughter" exclaimed Rolfe. "And
that accounts for her exposure of the
plot against Statham to compel him
to commit suicide rather than face ex-
posure. Remember, she would not be-
tray who was Adams associate in the
matter. Because it Is her own father,
without a doubt
"She alleged that Statham commit
ted secret crime by which he laid
the foundation of his great fortune, y
Max remembered And further, that
confirmation of the charge brought by
Adam will be found behind that lock-
ed door,"
yes" said his companion in a hol
low voice; 81 see it all The girl
| :