The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1910-12-29
CHAPTER Av.
The clnamataaeaah.

The Clne1sato0eapA.
On Monday ! went out for The arst
time. did not 60 TO the once. ]
wanted to walk. l thought fresh air
blue devils that had me by the throat
Mcknight insisted on . long day In
! bis car, but | refused.
Il 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 IS an hour!"
He can chase us Just as well at five
miles an hour" l said. But what
gets me. Mcknight. 10 why l am un-
der surveillance at all. How do the
police know l was accused Of that
thing?"
ers-she isn't likely to talk. is she!"
mo. That is. didn't say 1t was .
lady" l groaned A. l tried to get my
splintered arm into q coat. Anyhow.
she didn't TELL" ! finished with coz
viction. and Mcknight laughed.
II had rained in the early morning.
and Mrs. Klopton predicted moro
showers. In fact. SO hrm was her BE-
lief and SO determined her eye that I
took the umbrella she proKered me.
"Never mind" l said. I'VE can
leave it next door! I have a story to
tell you. Richey. and 1t requires proper
setting"
Mcknight was puzzled. but he fol-
lowed me obediently around to the
kitchen entrance Of the empty house.
It was unlocked. as I had expected.
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 vaude-
Vile skit 1t would make! Only you
ought not to have put your foot on
her hand. They don't do It In the
best circles"
l wheeled on him impatiently.
you don't understand the situation
at all, Richey!" l exclaimed. What
would you say If tell you it was the
hand Of = lady? 1t was covered with
rings"
"A LADY," he repeated. Why. I'd
say 1t was q darned compromising sit
utation, and that the less you say Of
It the better. Look here. Lawrence,
I \ - h
in the house too much. take 1t all
back: you do need exercise"
She escaped through this door,
suppose" I said as patiently as I
could. Evidently down the back stair
case. We might as well go down that
way"
According to the best precedents
in these affairs. we should find 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 bit of loose plaster fell just
behind him, he started like a nervous
woman.
What don't understand is why
|
once. puzzled You're not usually
quixotic"
When we get out into the country.
Richey," I replied gravely. II am 60
ing to tell you another story. and II
you don't tell me I'm fool and a
craven, on the strength Of 1t. you are
no friend Of mine"
OF, 11I hn wil
of staircase into the blackness of the
shuttered kitchen. The house had
the moldy smell of closed buildings:
! even on that warm September morn
ing 1t was damp and chilly. As We
stepped into the sunshine Mcknight
gave shiver
Now that we are out" he said, Il
don't mind telling you that have
been there before. Do you remember
the night you left. and the face at
the Window"
When you speak of it-yes''
Well, was curious about that
thing" he went on, as we started up
the street, land I went back. The
street door was unlocked, and ex-
amined every room. l was Mrs. Klop-
tons ghost that carried light. and
clumb.''
Did you find anything?"
only \ clean place rubbed on the
window opposite your dressing room.
Splendid view of an untidy interior.
If that house is ever occupied. you'd
better put stained glass in that win
dow of yours
tTo BE CONTINUED