The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-11-04
CHAPTE XIV.
The Cinematoqraph.

On Monday l went out for the first
m | did not go to the office. /
wanted to walk. l thought fresh air
and exercise would drive away the
blue devils that had MI by the throat.
Mcknight insisted on a long day In
his car, but I refused.
II don't know why not" he said
sulkily. Il can't walk. l haven't
walked two consecutive blocks in
three years. Automobiles have made
legs mere ornaments-and some not
even that. We could have johnson
out there chasing us over the country
at s. an hour!"
H can chase us just as we'll at five
miles an hour" l said. But what
gets me, Mcknight, is why l am I'm.
der surveillance at all. How do the
police know l was accused of that
thing"
The young lady who sent the flow-
ers-she isn't likely to talk. is she?
mo. That is, l didn't say it was q
lady" l groaned as l tried to get my
splintered arm into a coat. Anyhow,
she didn't TELL" l finished with con
v~iction, and Mcknight laughed.
1t had rained in the early morning,
and Mrs. Klopton predicted
showers. In fact, so firm was her be-
lief and SO determined her eye that I
took the umbrella she proffered me.
Never mind" l said. 1--WE can
leave it next door! have a story to
tell you, Richey. and it requires proper
setting"
Mcknight was puzzled, but he fol-
lowed me obediently around to the
kitchen entrance of the empty house.
1t was unlocked, as l had expected.
While we climbed to the upper floor
l retailed the events of the previous
night.
It's the finest thing | ever heard
Of" Mcknight said, staring up at he
ladder and the trap. What a vaude-
vile skit it would make, Only you
ought not to have put your foot on
her hand. They don't do it in the
best circles"
wheeled on him impatiently.
You don't understand the situation
at all, Richey!" l exclaimed. What
would you Jay If l tell you it was the
hand of a lady? It was covered with
rings"
"a LADY," he repeated. Why, I'd
say it was a darned compromising sit
utation, and that the less you say OF
it the better. Look here, Lawrence.
l think you dreamed it. You've been
in the house too much. l take 1t all
back; you do need exercise"
"She escaped through this door,
suppose" l said as patiently as
could. Evidently down the back stair
case. We might as we'll go down that
way"
According to the best preceeents
in these affairs, we should find a glove
about here" he said as we started
down. But he was more impressed
than he cared to own. He examined
the dusty steps carefully, and once
when a bit Of loose plaster fell just
behind him, he started like a nervous
woman.
What l don't understand is why
you let her CO." he said, stopping
once, puzzled. You're not usually
quixotic.'
When we get out into the country
Richey," l replied gravely, Il am go
ing to tell you another story, and Il
you don't tell me I'm a fool and
craven, on the strength of 1t. you art
no friend of mine"
We stumbled through the twilight
of staircase into the blackness OF thu
shattered kitchen. The house had
the moldy smell of closed buildings
even on that warm September morn
ing 1t was damp and chilly. AS w
stepped into the sunshine McKnigh'
gave a shiver.
Now that we are out" he said. :"
don't mind telling you that l have
been there before. Do you remember
the night you left, and the face Al
the Window"
when you speak Of it-yes."
We'll, l was curious about tha'
thing" he went on, as we started VI
the street, "and l went back. Tit
street door was unlocked, and | ex
amined every % l was Mrs. Klop
! tons ghost that carried a light. ant
clumb."
did you find ~anything?"
"Only a clean place rubbed on thu
window opposite your dressing room
Splendid view of an untidy interior
II that house Is ever occupied. you't
better put stained glass In that win
dow Of yours"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)