, 1910-12-15
II Was Thomas,

II Was Thomas.
was fright, ana tina ne was nlolng
from something. I am sorry in more
than one way: | have always believed
that Thomas knew something, or sus-
pected something, hat he would not
tell. Do you know how much money
there was in that WORKOUT wallet of
his? Nearly $100i Almost two
months wages-and yet those darkies
seldom have a penny. Well-what
Thomas knew will be buried with
him"
With the death of Thomas, I felt
that q climax mad come in affairs at
Sunnyside. The night that followed
was quiet enough. Halsey watched
at the foot of the staircase, and a com
plicated system of bolts on the other
doors seemed to be effectual.
Once In the night / wakened and
thought I heard the tapping again.
But all was quiet, and I had reached
the stage where I refused to be dis
turbed for minor occurrences.
h Armstrong; were notified Of
Thomas death, and I had my first in
terview with DR.. Walker as a result.
He came up early the next morning,
Just as we finished breakfast, In a pro-
fessional looking car with a black
hood.
Il must make a double excuse for
this early visit, Miss Innes." he said
as he sat down. The chair was lower
than he expected, and his dignity re-
CURED collecting before he went on
"My professional duties are urgent
n long neglected. and'-a fall to the
everyday Misunderstanding must
be done about that body"
YES" l said. sitting on the edge of
my chair. 81 merely wished the ad.
dress of Thomas people. You might
have telephoned, If you were busy"
He smiled.
81 wished to see you about some
thing else" he said. "As for Thomas
it is Mrs. Armstrong; wish that you
allow her to attend to the expense.
About his relatives. I have already
notified his brother, in the village. 1t
was heart disease. I think. Thomas
always had a bad heart"
Heart disease and fright" I said,
still on the edge Of my chair. But the
doctor had no intention of leaving.
81 understand you nave a ghost up
here, and that o have the house
filed with detectives to exercise It,"
he said.
For some reason I felt I was being
pumped" as Halsey says. you
have been misinformed," I replied.
What, no ghost, no detectives!" ho
said, still with his smile. What a dis
appointment to the village!"
| resented his attempt at playful
ness. 1t had been anything but a joke
to us.
"Dr. Walker" l said tartly, II fail
to see any humor in the situation.
Since | came here, n man a been
shot, and another one has died from
shock. There have been intruders in
the house, and strange noises. If that
is funny, there is something wrong
with my sense of humor."
You miss the point" he said, still
good naturally. 1.-THE thing that is
funny to me is that you insist on re-
naming here, under the circums-
tances. l should think nothing would
keep you"
You are mistaken. Everything that
occurs only confirms my resolution to
stay until the mystery is cleared"
81 nave a message for you, Miss
Innes," he said, rising at last. Mrs.
Armstrong asked me to thank you for
your kindness to Louise, whose whim.
occurring at the time 1t did. put her
to great inconvenience. Also-and
this is a delicate matter-she asked
me to appeal to your natural sym
pathy for her. at this time, and to ask
o If you will not reconsider your de-
cision about the house. sunnysids ID
her home; she loves It dearly, and
lust now she wishes to retire here for
quiet and peace"
"She must have had a change Of
heart" / said, ungraciously enough
Louise told me her mother despised
the place. Besides, this Is no place
for quiet and peace Just now. Any
how, doctor, while l don't care 70
force an issue. l shall certainly 70
main here, for a time at least"
For how long?" he asked.
INV iaaaa Ia for ak mnntha- l ahan