Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-22
CHAPTER XIV.
The c,nematoarapl,

The Cinemato0raphs
On Monday went out for the first
time. / did not go to the office. ]
wanted to walk ] thought fresh air
and, exercise would drive away the
blue devils that had me by the throat.
Mcknight insisted on long day In
his car. but I refused.
IT don't know why not" he said
sulkily. II can't walk. 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 we'll at five
miles an hour" said. "But what
gets me, Mcknight, is why am I'M
der surveillance at all. How do the
police know was accused OF that
thing?'
1.-THE young lady who sent the fow-
ers-she isn't likely to talk, is she?"-
mo. That is, didn't say it was q
lady" I groaned as tried to get my
splintered arm into a coat. Anyhow,
BIC ulUA SSAl, AAAA0ASA "ASAA w.
viction, and Mcknight laughed.
It had rained in the early morning.
and Mrs. Kopton predicted more
showers. In fact, so firm was her be-
lief and SO determined her eye that l
took the umbrella she protfered me.
Never mind" I said. 1--WE can
leave it next door! have 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 had expected.
While we climbed to the upper floor
/ retailed the events of the previous
night.
TITS the finest thing ever heard
Of" Mcknight said, staring up at the
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"
I wheeled on him impatiently.
you don't understand the situation
1t 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 it was darned compromising sit
utation, and that the less you say of
It the better. Look here, Lawrence,
/ think you dreamed it. You've been
in the house too much. take it all
back; you do need exercise"
"She escaped through this door.
suppose" said as patiently as I
could. Evidently down the back stair
case. We might as well go down that
way"
According to the best presidents
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 a bit of loose plaster fell just
behind him, he started like nervous
woman.
What I 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," replied gravely, II am go
ing to- tell you another story, and II
you don't tell me I'm fool and a
craven, on the strength of it, you are
no friend of mine.'
We stumbled through the twilight
81 staircase into the blackness Of the
suffered 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 a shiver.
Now that we are out" he said, 81
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. I was curious about that
thing" he went on, as we started up
the street, "and 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 a 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"
As we turned the corner glanced
back. Half block behind US John
son was moving our way slowly.
When he saw me he stopped and pro
ceeded with great deliberation to light
q cigar. BY hurrying, however, he
caught the car that we took, and stood
unobtrusively on the rear platform.
He looked tagged, and absent-minded-
" paid our fares. to Meningitis de-
light.
eve will give him a run for his
money" he declared, as the car moved
countryward. Conductor. let us OF
ut the muddiest lane you can find"
At one o'clock. after six-mile ram
BILE, we entered small country hotel.
We had seen nothing Of johnson for a
half hour. At that time he was a
quarter Of mile behind us, and losing
rapidly. Before We had finished our
luncheon he staggered into the inn.
One Of his boots was under his arm.
and his whole appearance was deplor.
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