Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-08-13


confusion. II won't keep you wait
ing" And. passing, with an averted
face. she ran quickly upstairs to the
second floor, taking the light with her.
Its glow faded from the walls above,
and kirkwood surmised that she had
entered the front bedchambcr. Fo.
some moments he could hear her NOV
ing about Once something scraped
and bumped on the floor. as if heavy
bit Of furniture had been moved
Again there was resounding thud
that defied speculation, and this was
presently followed by dull clang OF
metal.
Eventually-it was not really long
there came the quick rush Of Mrs.
Hallam's feet along the upper hall,
and the woman reappeared, one hand
holding her skirts clear Of her pretty
feet as she descended in a rush that
caused the candles flame to flicker
p>rilously.
halfway down "Mr. Kirkwood! she
called tempestuously.
Didn't you find it?" he countered
blandly.
She stopped jerkily at the bottom
and after moment of confusion "Find
what, sir?" she asked.
What you sought, Mrs. Hallam."
Smiling, he bore untlinching the pro.
longed inspection Of her eyes, at once
somber with doubt of him and flashing
with Indignation because of his impu.
dence.
"You knew l wouldn't find it, then,
didn't you"
81 may have suspected you
wouldn't"
Now he was sure that she had been
searching for the gladstone bag. That
evidently was the bone of contention.
! Calendar had sent his daughter for it,
Mrs. Hallam her son. Dorothy had
been successful. But, on the other
hand, Calendar and Mrs. Hallam were
unquestionably allies. Why, then
Where is it, Mr.. Kirkwood?"
Madam. have you the right to
know?"
Through another frightening pause
while they faced each other he mark
ed again the curious contraction Of hel
underlip.
81 have the right" she declared
steadily. where is it,"
"How can be sure"
Then you don't know!"
Indeed" he interrupted. 81 would
be glad to feel that ought to tell yor
what know"
what you know"
The exclamation. low spoken, moro
an echo Of her thoughts than intended
for Kirlwood, was accompanied by {
little shake of the woman's head, mute
evidence to the fact that she was be
wildered by his tinesse. And this de
lighted the young man beyond meas
ure. making him feel himself master
of difficult situation.
The woman would have led again
but young Hallam cut in none too
courteously:
II say. mamma, it's no good stand
in here palavcrin' like lot Of flats
Besides. I'm awf'ly knocked up. Let
get home and have 1t out there"
Instantly his mother softened. IN.
] poor boy! OF course We'll CO."
] AS they passed out Kirkwood shu
the door, and at the same moment tn
little party was brought up standin
| by Il gruff and authoritative summons
"Just minute. please. you there!'
: "Aha!" said Kirlwood to himself
II thought so. And he halted in vi
al LAM u IN
prcssive figure, CARRIED in blue an
j brass. barring the way to the cal
riage.
{ Mrs. Hallam showed less deferenc
Q for the obstructionist. The assume
+ hauteur and Impotence of her pos
were artfully reflected in her voice Il
n she rounded upon the bobby with Il
: Indignant demand. What is the meal
Y ing of this, ofiicer?"
Precisely what l wants to know
ma'am." returned the man. unyieldin
!, beneath his respectful attitude. "I'l
g obliged to ask you to tell me what yo
were doing in that 'ouse. And what
the matter with this ere gentleman
he added. with Il dubious stare ;
e young Hallam's bandaged head ar
g rumpled clothing.
r Perhaps you don't understand" al
mitted Mrs. Hallam sweetly. "(
course-I see-it's perfectly nature
& The house has been shut up for son
time and
II "Thank you. ma'am. that's just
e. There was something wrong going {
~, 7 70
to keep an eye on the premises. 1t
le duty, ma'am. I've got my report
ID make"
lie 1.-THE house," said Mrs. uallam, wi
the long suffering patience of one ell
ID cidating q perfectly plain propositi'
y to being of a lower order of intel
re gence, sis the property of my SO
)" Arthur Frederick Burgoyne Halla
TT of Cornwall This is
BEG pardon, ma'am. but | was to
d. Colonel George Burgoyne Of Cor
= WALL"
III Colonel Burgoyne died some til
lit ago. My son is his heir. This is L
re son. He came to the house this eve
n ing to get some property he desir
rs and, It seems, tripped on the stairs a
On fell unconscious. l became worri
st about him and drove over, acco
n panied by my friend Mr.. Kirkwoot
II, The policeman looked his troubl
es state of mind and wagged doubt
Nv head over the case. There was
elf duty, and there was, opposed to it, t
he fact that all three We're CARRIED in t
lis livery of the we'll to do.
At length. turning to the driver,