Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-08-25
TIL CIRCULAR STAIRCASE


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ly, but think we may be certain 1t
was fright, and that he was hiding
from something. l am sorry In more
than one way; have always believed
that Thomas knew something, or sus-
pected something. that he would not
tell. Do you know how much money
there was In that WORKOUT wallet of
his? Nearly 500! 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, l felt
that a climax had come in affairs at
Sunnyside. The night that followed
was quiet enough. Halsey watched
at the foot of the staircase, and com.
plicated system of bolts on the other
doors seemed to be effectual.
Once in the night l Weakened and
thought ] heard the tapping again.
But all was quiet, and l had reached
the stage where refused to be dis
lrbed for minor occurrences.
The Armstrong; were notified of
Thomas death, and had my first in
terview with DIR. Walker as result
He came up early the next morning,
just as we finished breakfast, in pro-
fessional looking car with black
hood
II must make 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-
quired collecting before he went on.
MY professional duties are, urgent
and Ing neglected, and"-a fall to the
everyday manner-"something must
be done about that body"
YES" I said, sitting on the edge OF
my chair. 81 merely wished the adj
dress of Thomas people. You might
have telephoned, II you were busy"
II } smiled.
II wished to see you about some
thing else," he said. "As for Thomas,
1t 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, l think. Thomas
always had bad heart"
Heart disease and fright" said.
still on the edge Of my chair. But the
doctor had no intention Of leaving.
II understand you have ghost up
here, and that you have the house
filed with detectives to exercise It,"
he said.
For some reason felt was being
pumped" as Halsey says. You
have been misinformed," replied.
What, no ghost, no detectives!' he
said, still with his smile. What dis
appointment to the village"
/ resented his attempt at playful
ness 1t had been anything but Joke
to us.
DIR. Walker" / said tartly, II fail
to see any humor In the situation.
Since came here, one man has 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. "The thing that is
funny to me is that you insist on re-
naming here, under the circums-
tances. should think nothing would
keep you"
"You are mistaken. Everything that
occurs only confirms my resolution to
stay until the mystery is cleared
II have 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 it did, put her
to great. inconvenience. Also-and
this is delicate matter-she asked
me to appeal to y0ur natural SYM
pathy for her, at this time. and to ask
you If you will not reconsider your de-
cision about the house. Sunnyside Ii
her home; she loves 1t dearly, and
just 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 don't care to
force an issue, / shall certainly re-
main here, for time at least"
For how long?" he asked.
my lease is for six months. shall
stay until some explanation is found
for certain things. My own family is
implicated now, and shall do every
thing to clear the mystery Of Arnold
Armtsrong's murder"
The doctor stood looking down, slap
ping his gloves thoughtfully against
the palm of well-looked-after hand.
you say there have been intruders
in the house?" he asked. you are
sure Of that, Miss Innes?"
GRO BE CoNTINUED)