The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1910-08-03
IT1T CIRCULAR STAIR(ASF|
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ly. but l think we may be certain it
was fright. and that he was hiding
from something. | am sorry in more
than one way; have always believed
that Thomas knew something, or sus.
pected something, that he would not
tell. Do you know how much money
there was in that worn-out wallet OF
his? Nearly 800, Almost two
months wages-and yet those darkies
seldom have a penny. Well-what
, Thomas knew will be buried with
him"
With the death of Thomas, l felt
that climax had come in affairs at
Sunnyside. The night that followed
was quiet enough. Halsey watched
at the foot of the staircase, and com
plicated system OF bolts on the other
doors seemed to be effectual.
Once in the night wakened and
thought heard the tapping again
But all was quiet. and had reached
the stage where refused to be dis
; lrbed for minor occurrences.
The Armstrong were notified OF
Thomas death. and | had my first in
! terview with DIR. Walker as a result
4 He came up early the next morning
Just as we finished breakfast, in a pro
| fessional looking car with a black
hood.
Il must make a double excuse for
this early visit. Miss Innes.'' he said
as he sat down. The chair was lower
than he expected, and his dignity re
quired collecting before he went on
MY professional duties are urgen,
and .ng neglected, and'-a fall to the
everyday manner-"something must
be done about that body"
Yes" I said. sitting on the edge oil
my chair. Il merely wished the ad
dress of Thomas people. You might
have telephoned. II you were busy"
II smiled.
Il wished to see you about some
thing else." he said "As for Thomas
It is Mrs. Armstrong; wish that you
allow her to attend to the expense
About his relatives. have already
notified his brother. in the village. II
was heart disease. I think. Thomas
always had a bad heart"
Heart disease and fright" 7 said
still on the edge of my chair But the
doctor had no intention Of leaving.
Il understand you have a ghost Ut
here. and that you have the house
n I'd with detectives to exercise II.
he said.
| For some reason I felt I was being
pumped" as Halsey says. you
have been misinformed." replied.
What. no ghost no detectives,' he
said. still with his smile. What a dis
appointment to the village!"
resented his attempt at playful
ness. 1t had been anything but Joke
to us.
"Dr. Walker" ! said tartly. II fai
to see any humor In the situation
Since came here. one man has beer
shot. and another one has died from
shock. There have been intruders In
the house. and strange noises. II thai
is funny. there is something wrong
with my sense OF humor."
You miss the point" he said. still
good naturally. The thing that is
funny to me is that you insist on re
naming here under the circums
tances. should think nothing would
keep you"
You are mistaken. Everything thai
occurs only confirms my resolution tc
stay until the mystery is cleared
Il have a message for you. Miss
Innes." he said. rising at last. Mrs
Armstrong asked me to thank you fol
your Kindness to Louise. whose within
occurring at the time II did. put hel
to great Inconvenience. Also-and
this is a delicate matter-she asked
me to appeal to your natural sym
patty for her. at this time, and to ash
you II you will not reconsider your de
cision about the house. Sunnyside Is
her home: she loves 1t dearly. and
Just now she wishes to retire here fol
quiet and peace"
she must have had a. change Of
heart" l said. ungraciously enough
Louise told me her mother despised
the place. BESIDES. this is no place
for quiet and peace Just now. Any
how, doctor. while I don't care tC
force an issue, shall certainly re
main here, for a time at least
For how long?" he asked.
My lease is for six months. / shall
stay until some explanation is founc
for certain things. My own family IL
implicated now. and I shall do every
thing to clear the mystery of Arnold
Armtsrong's murder"
The doctor stood looking down. slap
ping his gloves thoushtfully against
the palm of a well-looked-after hand
You say there have been intruderi
in the house7'' he asked. You are
sure of that. Miss fnnesy'
Cro BE coNTINUED)