The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-10-05
CHAPTER XIV.

The cinems.osraph.
On Monday l went out for the drss
time. did not 60 to the office.
wanted to walk. l thought fresh air
and exercise would drive away the
blue devils that had me by the throat.
Mcknight insisted on q long day In
his car. but I refused.
Il don't know why not" he said
sulkily. Il can't walk. I 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"
He can chase US Just as we'll at i've
miles an hour" l said. But what
gets me. Mcknight, is why ! am un-
der surveillance at all. How do the
police know ! was accused OF that
thing?"
The young lady who sent the flow.
ers-she isn't likely to talk. is she?"
NO. That is. l didn't say it was
lady" I groaned as l tried to get my
splintered arm into a coat. Anyhow.
she didn't tell" l finished with con-
victicn. and Mcknight laughed.
1t had rained in the early morning.
and Mrs. Klopton predicted more
showers. In fact, SO firm was her be-
lief and SO determined her eye that
took the umbrella she prOffered me.
Never mind" l said. We can
leave it next door! l have a story tn
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.
II was unlocked. as l had expected.
While we climbed to the upper floor
I retailed the events of the previous
night
Its the finest thing ever heard
Of" Mcknight said. staring up at the
ladder and the trap. What 4 vaIde
vile skit it would make! Only you
ought not to have put your foot ON
her hand. They don't do 1t in the
best circles"
wheeled on him impatiently-
You don't understand the situation
1T ali, Richey," ! exclaimed. "Wha'
would you say II I tell you it was the
hand of lady? It was covered viii
rings"
a LADY," he repeated. why. IL
say il was a Garned compromising sit
utation, and that the less you say o
II the better. Look here. Lawrence
I think you dreamed II. You've beeI
in the house too much. take 1t al
back; you do need exercise"
"She escaped through this door.
SUPPOSE" I said as patiently as
could. Evidently down the back stair
case. We might as we'll go down tina
way"
According to the best precedent
IN these affairs. We should find a glow
about here" he said as We starte'
down. But he was more impressed
than he cared to own. He examiner
the dusty steps carefully. and once
when a bit of loose plaster fell jus
behind him, he started like a nervou
I woman.
What I don't understand Is VIII
you let her 60" he said. stoppin
once, puzzled. You're not usual
Quixotic."
when we get out into the country
Richey," l replied gravely. Il am e
ing to tell you another story. and
you don't tell me I'm q fool and
craven, on the strength Of It. you ar
no friend OF mine"
. We stumbled through the twiiigh
of staircase into the blackness Of tn
suffered kitchen. The house ha
the moldy smell of closed buildings
even on that warm September mort
; ing II was damp and chilly. Az "
; stepped into the sunshin" McNnigh
gave a SILVER.
Now that We are out" he said,
. don't mind telling ycu that ! iav
been there before. do yOu reEicmoe
the night you left. and n" face
the window"
When you speak Of tics
We'll, l was curious ah":h tha
thing" he went on. as We started u
the street, land I went back. Tn
( street door was unlocked. and l e.
I amincd every room. was Mrs. kloI
toms ghost that carried light. an
clumb."
did you find anything?"
Only a clean place rubbed on tn
window opposite your dressing room
: Splerdid view of an untidy interic
4 II tina. house Is ever occupied. you
better put stained glass in that VII
e dow Of yours"
=, ,TO EE CCNTINEEpJ
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