The newspaper., 1910-01-21
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continued gloom / felt sure the situa-
tion between them was unchanged.
Part of the afternoon ! believe he
read-Gertrude and l were out, as I
have said, and at dinner We both no
uced that something had occurred to
distract him. He was disagreeable,
which is unlike him, nervous. looking
at his watch every few minutes, and
he ate almost nothing. He asked twice
during the meal on what train Mr..
Jameson and the other detective were
coming. and had long periods of abb
straction during which he dug his
fork into my damask cloth and did
not hear when he was spoken to. He
refused dessert, and left the table
early, excusing himself on the ground
that he wanted to see Alex.
Alex, however. was not to be found.
II was after eight when Halsey or
dered the car and started down the
hill at pace that. even for him, was
unusually reckless. Shortly after
Alex reported that he was ready to go
over the house preparatory to closing
1t for the night. Sam Bohannon came
at quarter before nine and began his
patrol Of the grounds. and with the
arrival of the two detectives to look
forward to was not especially appre-
hensive
At halfpast nine heard the sound
of a horse driven furiously up the
drive. II came to stop in front OF
the house and Immediately after there
were hurried steps on the veranda.
Our nerves were not what they should
have been, and Gertrude. always ap-
prehensive lately. was at the door al
most instantly. A moment later Louise
Lad burst into the room and stood
there bareheaded and breathing hard.
Where is Halseyg" she demanded.
Above her plain black gown her eyes
looked big and somber. and the rapid
drive had brought no color to her face.
I got up and drew forward a chair.
He has not come back said
quisuy. sit down. child: you are
not strong enough for this kind OF
thing"
don't think she even heard me.
He has not come back?" she
asked. looking from me to Gertrude.
Do YOU know where he wentg Where
can ! find him?"
For heavens sake. Louise" Ger
trude burst out. tell us what is wrong.
Halsey Is not here. He has gone to
the station for Mr.. Jameson. What
has happened"
To the station. Gertrude7 You are
sure7"
Yes" I said. Listen. There is
the whistle Of the train now"
She relaxed n little at our matter
of-fact tone. and allowed herself to
sink into a chair.
Perhaps I was wrong" she said
heavily. "Ie-will be here in few
moments if-everything is right"
We sat there. the three of ms. with.
out attempt at conversation Both Ger
trude and | recognized the futility OF
asking Louise any questions: her
reticence was part Of a role she had
assumed. Our ears were strained for
the first throb OF the motor as IL
TUNED into the drive and commenced
the climb to the house Ten minutes
passed. -. 20. saw Louise's hands
grow rigid as they clutched the arms
of her chair. ] watched Gertrude's
bright color slowly ebbing away. and
around my own heart seemed TO feel
the grasp of giant hand
Twenty-Five minutes. and then a
sound. But II was not the chus of the
motor: II was the unmistakable rum
BILE of the Casanova hack. Gertrude
drew aside the curtain and peered
into the darkness.
Its the hack. am sure" she said.
evidently relieved. Something has
gone WI ong with the car. and no won
der-the way Halsey went down the
hill"
1t seemed long tim, before the
creaking vehicle came to a stop at the
ooor. 1 Cuise roso and stood Watching.
her hand to her throat And then
Gertrude opened the door admitting
Mr.. Jameson and stocky. middle
aged man. Halsey was not with them.
When the door had closed and Louise
realized that Halsey had not come.
her expression changed. From tense
watchfulness to relief. and now again
to absolute despair, her face was an
open page.
"Halsey?" / asked unceremoniously.
ignoring the stranger. Did he-not
meet your"
No" Mr.. Jameson looked slightly
surprised. II rather expected the
car. but We got up all right"
you didn't see him at ALT" Louise
demanded breathlessly.