The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-16

capable looking hand and made {
significant motion as Of choking
himself. l understood the allusior
and saw the force Of his argument
rose and went with him in the
dusk to the hotel, where l was glat
to find the billiard table not only
occupied, but engaged-four deep
There was nothing to do but to sit
in corner and watch the play
while Herzog talked to his neigh
bors on the settee and advertised
our ostensible reason for being al
Totland.
At 10 o'clock we left the hote
and returned to Springihorpe, ant
on approaching the house l saw
that there was no light In the Chill
marks sitting room. Janet and hel
father had retired.
Hearing us enter, Mrs. Krance
appeared from the back regions, In
curl papers. "a Il
II don't know II you gentlemen
watn anything MORE" she said with
acerbity. This is an early house
and was about to go to bed"
Herzog gave her a sharp glance
and and pulled out his watch
why, 1t isn't half past TO-" he re
piled. Come" he added in his oil
lest manner, you are not yourself
tonight, Mrs. Krance. Something
has upset YOU"
well, yes; it isn't to you I ought
to be cross, DOCTOR" said the
woman, obviously notified. THE
fact is my other dodgers, that
thought were permanent, gave me
notice today of leaving at the enc
of the week. Then then took il
back again, after the young lady
came In from her walk, and want to
stay on indefinite. 1 don't hold with
such blowing hot and cold, and me
given no reasons"
For the fraction of second Her
zog's brows contracted. mo, Mrs
Krance, 1t is always annoying when
we cannot divine peoples reasons,
he said. But If you are not to lose
your dodgers, all is we'll that ends
we'll. So far as we are concerned
by all means go to bed as soon as
you like, for we are, going up, too
One word, though. Mr.. Martin is
an invalid, you know. Are you a
light sleeper-in case I should want
hot water, or anything, for him in
the night?"
Il can't say that am, sir; l have
such a hard days work that l sleep
pretty sound" the lady replied.
"Ah, well, let us hope that the
occasion for disturbing your rest
will not arise" said Herzog affably
Good night to you, Mrs. Krance
and pleasant dreams"
We took our candlesticks and
went upstairs. l felt that it was a
tribute to my dupi:ciiy that Herzog
parted with me at the door Of his
bedroom without any warning
against attempts to escape.
Left alone in my bedroom / re,
viewed the situation as | mechanic
ally began to undress. The revoca-
ton of the Chilmarks' notice to
leave l looked on in the light of a
message. 1t was blessed promise
that Janet would stick to me.
Presently I flung myself on the
bed and slept. But sound slumber
was not for poor, nerve racked
creature such as l had become, and
after a while l was awakened by
the sound of movement, faint but
unmistakable, beyond the partition
separating Herzog's room from
mine.
Late as was the hour my Gus.
todian was up and stirring. Yes
and he was doing more than that
he was stealthily leaving the house
For after l had lain breathlessly
but in vain. waiting for a repetition
of the sounds in the next room,
heard another of different kind a
little further off. Quite audibly to
one listening with straining ears as
| was "A stair creaked.