The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-03-19

The half OF tne massive outer door swung open
before climbed The steps and stamped into
a dGrkencd entrance. 7 could hardly mnke out the
heure Of the maid who had admitted me- but l gath
e-rd the very distinct impression ;hat she suf-
lcrag N the stages % fright vanished and
cfi In ;bc gloom of the high. voultcd hall where [
removed my oyc-coat unbldcn and sroped for bear
DgS.
The Little Man.
Presently RUG OF lights flashed up above and in
doorway the left stood my white haired littlo man.
leaning his gun. His shavcn, wthcred checks were
pink with excitement, and though he must have Decn
aii Of seventy. he seemed clipper and active. We'll,
he said snappiy you're from Gurry'S? I offered
;he telegram N answer but he only glanced It and
waved ma past him into the beyond
''l entered q vast snowy apartment lighted by TALL
2arrow windows and richly furnished ON dlyan
sRrawled n handsome young fellow OF about twenty
Eve. with close cropped bullet head and a keen
unfrend!y black eye Opposite him In armchair
smother Of about the age. though smaller aud
with weaker face, where unfrcndIincSS was tinGed
with unmistakabc dread it turned To- ine. The old
chap closed the door behind him and stepped forward
stu dragging his shotgun. II was n stranGc circle
faced ~ he motoncd me 10 a seal He began without
preamble crlSply:-
u am Thompson Forbes This = my son. Ralph.
nndGiDg toward the shorter fellow in the chair ard
thl. is Mr.. Bedford Yool his friend There WAS n
subtle note in his voice at the laSr phrase. which,
coupled with the attitude of each member of The
group, told Instantly OF hostility between Tbomp
son Forbes and his sons friend. The two young
look notice Of the perfuncory murmur with which
/ acknowledged this Introduction.
'Ilc went on. Now Mr.
flames. | prompted.
James halfpIst live o'clock Yesterday after
noon It ceased showing. with slight drizzc and
cold snap. The household consisting OF thc three
here present. tour maids chef aud a chaultcur
indoors at that time BY eleven clock nj, had
tired Az ball-paSt one was awakened by faint
crash and pound down stairs. | armed myself and
descended from my ihc third 1oor. turning
on the lights of the house ard ringing ,hc servants
alarm arrived 10 lind my study. which opens to the
right there IN the gyeaIcSy disorder shall show yUu
the premises presently together with an inventory OF
missing articles. There was no Quo in sight and
dining window had been clunlSly shattered
From the outside. ! incrpoScd-
How d!d YOU guess that lac cried. 1t IS tie
Significant fact OF the whole situation. For the
rcason-he bni toward me With sparkling cyeS-'to7
the ha; neither below thnt window nor nny
oshcr Spo within 5bc surrounding this house
there single footprint ln the snow There had been
40 drifting accoun. OF the crust, aud the crust
Itself is zoe weak 10 bear without breaking as
!0u discovers, as YOU came up.
II nodded while lie hoccd his story in at me- eager
thnt SlIou!d grasp each point.
! innurdlafcly ordered the servants under She
guard uf he chauffeur man can trust, in the
wants mH We three have remained IN this
rnoin ever since. tclcploncd the message ia tho
sturion ond have held MI all tradcsmcn and visitors
during thr day at the point OF tiS weapon The space
adjacent TO the house remains undiSturbed. docs
The house itself. FOR your inspection
Very clear Mr. Forbes said rising, and very
wen managed Is there anything moreF
The Window.
..,op,v that vou should get 10 work nud-ycs here
* rho nvontorv very convenient and handy colcr.
ton FOR a burglary. YOU will notioe-Jcwels ncgo-
liable bonds worth $1,000 and q cabinet of rare
gold coins By the way. how did You Know about the
.. Just lucky guess, ! smiled
Are We to be set at liberty now. Mt Forbes? IN.