The Nevada County picayune., 1910-07-01

vested. and through an ugly stroy -Mr lnnes called and then rushed at me, I-l was alarmed. and flung the blanket at him
 Halsey was examining the cut on his forehead in q small mirror on the wall. It was not much of an in 'tsfs, -'2a r had blgd lFa@Iy. anf lis appearance was rather terrifying.
 Thomas ill2' he said. over his shoulder. Why, thought saw Thomas out there as you made that eyclonic break out Of the door and over the porch
 l could see that under pretcnse of examining his injury he was watch ing her through the mirror
 Is this one of the servants blank cts, Mrs. Watson" I asked, holding up it's luxurious folds to the light.
 Everything else is locked away" :" she replied. Which was true enough, no doubt. I had rented the house without bed furnishings.
 If Thomas is ill" Halsey said, some member of the family ought to go down to see him. You needn't bother, Mrs Watson. l will take the blanket"
 She drew herself up quickly as if in protest, but she found nothing to say. She stood smoothing the folds of her dead black dress, her face as white as chalk above f. Then she seemed to make up her mind
  Perhaps you would better go. l have done all l could"
 And then she turned and went up the circular staircase, moving slowly and with a certain dignity. Below, the three of us stared at one another across the intervening white blanket
 Upon my word" IIalsey broke out. this place is a walking nightmare l have the feeling that We three out siders who have paid our money for the privilege of staying in this spook- factory, are living on the very top of things. We're on the lid, so to speak Now and then we get sight of the things inside, but we are not a part of them
 Do you suppose" Gertrude asked doubtfully, that she really meant that blanket for Thomas?"
 Thomas was standing beside that magnolia tree Ialsey replied when 1 ran after Mrs Watsen It's down to this. Aunt Ray Rosies bas- ket and Mrs. Watson's blanket can only mean one thing. There is some body hiding or being hidden in the lodge 1t wouldn't surprise me if We hold the key to the whole situation now. Anyhow, I'm going to tie lodge to investigated ,
 Gertrude wanted to go, too. but she looked so shaken that l insisted she should not. l sent for Liddy ,o help her to bed and then Halsev and started for the lodge. The grass was heavy with dew, and, man-like. Halsey chose the shortest way across the lawn Half way. however, he stopped
 Wed better go by the drive he said. This isn't lawn; it's q field. Where's the gardener these days,
 There isn't any" said meel<ly We have been thankful enough, SO far. to have our meals prepared and served and the beds aired The gard ener who belongs here is working at the club
 Remind me tomorrow to send out a man from town" he said "I know the very fellow"
 record this scrap Of conversation, just as | have tried to put down any. tmng and everything that had beat ing on what followed, because the gardener Halsey sent the neSt day played an important part in the events of the next few weeks-eFents that culninated as you know. by stirring the country profoundly. 1t that time however. l was busy trying to keep my skirts dry, and paid little or no attention to what seemed then most trivial remark.
 At the lodge everything was quiet There was a light in the sitting room downstairs, and faint gleam. as if from d shaded lamp, in one of the up- per rooms. Halsey stopped and ey amined the lodge with calculating eyes
 T don't know, Aunt Ray he said dubiously; this is hardly a womans affair If there's a scrap of any kind you hike for the timber" Which was Halseys solcitous care for me. put into vernacular
 I'll stay right here" sa.l, and crossing the small veranda. now shaded and fragrant with honey. suckle, l hammered the knocker on the door
 Thomas opened the door himself Thomas, fully dressed and in his GUS tomary health. had the blanket over my arm.
 T brought the blanket, Thomas. said; "I am sorry you are so i'll"
 The old man stood staring at ne and then at the blanket. His eoa. fusion under other circumstances would have been ludcrouS
 What. Not ill?" Halsey said from the step. Thomas, I'm afraid you've been malingering
 Thomas seemed to have been debat