The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-17
CHAPTER 1.-THE Portrait.

CHAPTER 1.-THE portrait
Ailsa stood there with a certain
curious exultation in the knowledge
that she was no longer afraid. Here
was real and tangible danger, so
different TO those suggested by the
utter loneliness OF the dreary Ola
house. This was no spirit from the
other world. but real, live man. who
hao no business here. He was bur
clar. after some OF the valuables with
which the house was crammed. and u
vas Ailsa's obvious duty 10 hand him
over 70 the police without delay
But was he no more than the avei-
age burglar? IL seemed absurd ID
think so. but Ailsas instinct told her
that there was something more than
met the eye AS she stood there she
could hear the passing cabs outside
and the tramp OF a policeman trud5-
inc along his beat. II would nave
been so easy for Ailsa 10 slip quietly
down the stairs and call the ofhcer III.
And vet she stood there, hesitating,
curious. and not afraid. II this man
had been a real burglar he could have
Filed his pockets and departed Is
quickly as he had come. But he seem
ed 10 be looking about him Tor some
definite object. AS he moved again
presently II struck Ailsa that he must
be familiar with the house There
was none OF that fumbling hesitation
about the stranger. Perhaps he had
forgotten his bearings for moment
hence the striking OF the match.
discharged servant, perhaps But dls-
charged servants do not wear diamond
rings Of price
Then a sharp and sudden thought
came 10 Ailsa. Had this man any
thing 10 do with the injury TO the old.
woman lying in the kitchen? Susan
had declared that her hurt had been
caused BY accident, she had been un-
necessarily emphatic on this POM.
Even In her semi-delusion she had
seemed very anxious TO shield SOME
BODY. Ailsa made up her mind that
she would go downstairs and make
sure. II was easy to feel her way 10
the handrall and creep down noiseless-
~ H. her stocknged feet.
Old Susan still sat In her chair with
her ewes closed. She was breathing
more easily now, she seemed TO have
fallen into a deep sleep. the heavy
sleep Of intoxication as Ii appeared.
ing OF the kind here. II might be
cruel thing To 40. but she laid a hand
on Susan's shoulder and shook her
forcibly. The old woman opened her
eyes. and glared round her as II In
terror.
You'll be found out" she whisper
cd HE IS ceTTafH 10 ffud 0trt,-tttttt
youTl 20 TO jail. Mind you, nothing
4
cutie an accident"
The woman repeated the last sen
tonce fjercely. as II trying TO convince
others Of what she did not herself De
ieve. Ailsa waited for the mt OF an
ser to pass.
What is that man doing upstairs.
she asked sternly. Tell me at once.
Susan sat up suddenly. and her eyes
cleaned. There was a look In them
So cold and rcvengeful that Ailsa fair-
~ staggered back The old woman
stsggered 10 her feet. and caught the
gi,l nv her two wrists In a grip Of
steel Her manly strength and vital
It's came positively as revelation TO
Ai)sa She was terribly frightened,
but She would not show II. She had
road somewhere that " was the best
thing to display GOODNESS and courage
yIn the face OF dangerous lunacy. and
that old Susan had suddenly gone
T. ad. she aid not for moment doubt.
70 cost the girl a great EFFORT TO keep
back the cry OF pain and fear that
struggled for utterance at her lips.
Ana she felt quite sure. too, that old
susan knew all about the man up
stairs. 1t was necessary TO take