The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-30
tcontinued.o

his thought as if he had spoken It. "Do you wonder I've been frighten- ed?" she asked at last, when she was certain he was done with speaking on that matter.
 ..Of course,'' she said. after little. i've could not know that message had been sent and Horace agreed with me that we must get away and send aid as quickly as possible. We were also anxious. oh. so anxious. to find out what had become of father. At the same time, in spite of my protest. Horace declared he couldn't miss ths chance to make search for papers which, if they did exist, might be of untold advantage to father. even under the circumstances which we felt. with out saving so. had become so much worse than they were. He said that of course he couldn't make comp etc search. such as would be necessary to discover any secret hiding placa, but what he could do he felt it doubly his, duty to do. went back to the sitting room and tried to get myself auieted,. for was terribly nervous. He told. me later that the first thing he did was to run on evidence that some one
  i had been ransacled: a drawer had be n broken open: the strip of carpeting had been pulled aside and in the room up- stairs, where we had taken John Al tenburg, even the mattress seemed to have been torn open. Do you wonder that. while was afraid even to think of it. I could r-+ help remenbering that father was an anxious as Horace to get hold of any papers that might exist, and that. aside from us. no one could be interested in. them ?' The last was almost like cry from a. breaking heart. Judith had herself ul-s der control to the last poss ble mo- ment, and had to lind relief fors her pent up fear. M Don't be too certain of that. X said Grfmbleshaw ssIf there are or were papers. they related to the affairs of the Venezuelan syndicate. Until that is cleared uo how can we or any one else know how many bes des yourselves may be interested in them es'
 rHorace came back to the sitting room and found messrowing more and more nervous. I had had time to k myself what would happen if John Altenburg should die. and to convince Ilyself that he would. unless aid was summoned at once. Horace however. insisted that it was now or never for the papers. and come what would, he must go on with the search. While we were talking your buggy drove U , to. the house. startling us both. as you can well irias.ine. ilF = All the same said Horace I've got to search his bedroom and go through that trunk of papers.
 1T begged him to come away while there was time. but he would not hear of it, and sent nae out into the grounds. by way of the front door. to see who and how many you were. telling me to leave the sitting-room door on the latch and the front door open. so that | could slip back. saw you througfl the window when you came into the room where the accident happenad, l recognized you at once. and the sur prise held me so long that hadn't t time to slip back before you opensd the door, Then I said theA first thins that came into my head, and Knew in an instant that I had given myself away.''
 Grimbleshaw laughed more naturally than since the talk began.
 .Perhaps it ought to- he said. "b,it the receptive mind wasn't there. Shall confess it and be forsiven2 The only idea the incident conveyed to me at the moment was that the nams you asked for wasn't John Altenburg."
 aOh you horrid maf1." exclaimed Judith. attaining the very result which Grfnbleshaw as a physician. had hoped for. with hope that had gwen him courage to make the dang rous confession rDon't you think after that ought to keep on trying to satis- fy your curiosity 2"
 T admit 1t wasn't gallant" he said ssThe only possible excuse have is that it's the truth. 1"
 She looked at lhim in half-pourins surprise and seemed tempted to an swer aftersh his own line. Then there came to her the reality of the terr ble questions they were facing. and shs took the story up again with the feas, Jess strain because of this break.
 What should have done. if the wind hadn't blown out your candle I'm sure I don't know. The best guess I've been able to make is that sh2ul5 have slipped away into the dark. bu don't know. I could hear Horsc ce + John Altenburg's chamber. and fel that at all hazards he must be, warn ed. Just then the light went out"
 And do you remember my exclama tfon?" demanded Grinblesfaw.
 .eYes, it was most ungallant."
 My excuse must be thought yo' a man"
 'You did?'' she demanded. in unas sumed surprise GOT. my derbyi Ther too I had thrown Horace's coat owe my shoulder. never dreamed tha was what made you so stupld-an' brutal"
 As a physician he was glad 10 se that the tension was permanently re faxed: and as a man. who falt th charm of her nearness as a great ign in a time of darkness. he was happ in the, freer tone she adopted towar him. Without answering her in word he looked his satisfaction to her ful understanding. Then suddenly she be l.. <7 al7i,, d. s5S