The Huttig news., 1910-05-28

ers-she isn't likely to talk, is she?"
 "No. That is. didn't say it was a lady" l groaned as I tried to get my splintered arm into a coat. Anyhow she didn't tell" I finished with con viction, and Mcknight laughed It 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" said. We can leave it next door, have story to tell you. tichey, and 1t requires proper setting
 Mcknight was puzzled, but he fol lowed me obediently around to the kitchen entrance of the empty house While we climbed to the upper floor ] retailed the events of the previous night
 It's the Enest thing I ever heard of" Mcknight said, staring up at the ladder and the trap. What a vaude-
 
 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 a lady? It 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 1t the better. Look here, Lawrence think you dreamed 1t You've been in the house too much. I take it all 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 well go down that way"
 According to the best precedents in these affairs, we should find glove aboIt 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 I don't understand is why yon let her go.' he said, stopping ence, puzzled. You're not usually qu:xotic."
 int h1 Richey," I replied gravely, q am go ing to tell you another story. and if you don't tell me I'm a fool and a craven, on the strength of it. you ars no friend Of mine"
 We stumbled through the twilight of staircase into the blackness of the shuttered kitchen. The house had the moidy smell of closed buildings even on that warm September morn ing it was damp and chilly. As wt stepped into the sunshine McKnigh gave a shiver.
 Now that we are out he said, '' don't mind telling you that I have the night you left, and the face a l the winaow?"
 When you speak of it-yes."
 Well. I was curious about tha thing" be went on. as we started u the street. "and | went back Tn street door was unlocked, and I ex amined every room l was Mrs. KloI tons ghost that carried a light an, 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 I glanced back Half block behind us john son was moving our way slowly When he saw me he stopped and pro eeeded with great deliberation to light cigar. By hurrying, however. he caught the car that we took. and stood unobtrusively an the rear platform He looked tagged and absent-minded ly paid our fares, to McKnight's de, light
 We will give him a run for his money" he declared, as the car moved countryward Conductor, let us ofl at the muddiest lane you can find"
 At ore o'clock, after six-mile ram ble. 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 ouI luncheon he staggered into the inn One of his boots was under his arm and his whole appearance was deplor able. He was coated with mud, streak ed with perspiration, and he limped as he walked. He chose table not far from us and ordered Scotch. Be yond touching his hat he paid no at tention to us.
 I'm just getting my second wind, Mcknight declared How do you feel, MT Johnson? Six or eight miles more and we'll all enjoy our dinners" John son put down the glass he had raised to his lips without replying.
 The fact WAS however that I was