The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-05-13
CHAPTER v.
- AN

CFifNT ~
Blind clews.
'But this is preposterous," cried
Mrs. Melville, you must have seen
him had he come out OF the room; you
were directly in front of the doors all
the time"
81 was" admitted the colonel; "can
can the boy be hiding to scare us?'
He spoke to Miss Smith. She had
grown pale; he did not know that his
own color Ind turned. Millicent stared
from one to the other.
How ridlculousl" she exclaimed;
"of course Tot; but he must be some
where; let mo look"
Look as they might through all the
staring empty rooms, there was no
vestige OF the boy. He was as clean
vanished as IL he had fallen out OF
the closed and locked windows. The
colonel examined them all; had there
been one open, he would have peered
outside, frightened as he had never
been when death was at his elbow.
But It certainly wasn't possible TO
Jump through a window. and not only
shut. but lock II after one.
Under every bed, in every closet, he
prowled; he was searching still when
Mrs. Winter returned. By this time
Mrs. Melville was agitated. and, natur-
ally, irritated as well. Il think 1t is
objectionable in Archie to sneak out
in this fashion," she complained.
II suppose the boy wanted to see
the town a Bit" observed Aunt Re-
becca, placidly. Rupert, come in and
sit down; he will be back in mo-
ment: smoke a cigar. IL your nerves
need calming"
Rupert felt as IL he we're boy OF
ten, called back to common sense out
of imaginary horrors Of the dark.
But. II he wanted to go out. why
did be leave his hat and coat behind
him?" asked Miss Smith.
"He may be only exploring the
hotel" said Mrs. Winter. Don't be
so restless, Berthe; sit down."
The colonels eye was furtively pho
tographing every article of furniture
in the room; It fingered longest on
Mrs. Winters wardrobe trunk, which
was standing in her room. Randall
had been dispatched for hot-water
bottle In lieu of one which had sprung
a leak on the train; so the trunk
stood, its door ajar.
Maybe he is doing the Geneyra
stunt there's that what you are
thinking?" she jeered. well, go and
look"
Light as her tone was, she was not
unaffected by the contagion of anx-
iety about her; after moment, while
Rupert was looking at the wardrobe
trunk. and even profanely exploring
the swathed gowns held in rigid safety
by bands of rubber. she moved about
the rooms herself.
There isn't room for a mouse in
that box" growled the colonel.
"Of course not" said his aunt,
languldly, sinking into the easiest
chair; but your mind is easier Archie
viii come back Cor dinner; don't
worry"
How could Re get by me?" retorted
the colonel.
Perhaps he went into the neigh
boring rooms" Miss Smith suggested.
shall | go out and rap on the door
of the next room On the left?" On the
right the last room OF the party was
corner room.
why, you might" acquiesced Aunt
Rebecca; but Mrs Melville cut the
ends OF her words.
pray let me go. Aunt Rebecca."
she begged. suting the action to the
words. and was out of the door almost
ahead OF her sentence.
The others waited; they were ST.
lent; little Hecks of color raddled
Mrs. Winters cheeks. They could
hea. lVrlcent's knock reverberating.
The.,y was no answer. Telephone to
Tia adjacent ROOM" proposed the
cct,nel.
'T'll telephone" said Mrs. Winter,
Gnd rang up the number OF the next
room. There vas no response; but
when she call1d the number of the
room adjoining. she seemed to get an
answer, for So announced her name.
Have you seeE young lad?" she con-
tinued. after an apology for disturbing
them. He belongs TO our party; has
he by chance got into your room? and
Is he there?" In a second she put
dowr .he receiver with a heightened