The Detroit times., 1911-07-18
(contiaued,.
CHAPTER XIV.

A Disappearance and an Encounter.
The next few days passed by with
out event; and the absence OF ex-
element was a welcome enough re-
lief, even 10 me. Adventures In mem
selves are all very well. but | prefer
mine uncomplicated with nervous
anxiety; and although my enlistment
in the family garrison had relieved
me in some measure from that tor
ment OF personal worry which had
bounded me before. yet the trouble
had only taken another form, the
more heavy for being less seiilsh. |
was inside the mystery now, In ac-
ton II not in knowledge. What taH
root OF the matter might be. knew
no better than before; nut somehow
had been quite sincere In saying
that I did no. really care. IL was as
II the nerve OF curiosity had been
plunted In me through oyerstrain.
And I knew now that come what
might. Lady had hegun to care Tor
me, and that lett little in the world
which for myself | could fear. Only
for her / feared everything, anu the
necessity OF ner remaining here NJ
the mercy OF dangers which | conid
neither dispel nCr understand was
too heavy borden for my frivolous
enjoymen. OF adventure. ! could no.
say so, nor tfi tigain TO persuade her
away from the fight. As her way
was, she had 'lropped my interrupt
ed protes. into ncthingncfs. hs Though
II had never been; and my only com
fort was the hope that, knowing row
wholly my blindfoid loyalty 10 them
all was for her sake, might be Sc
cret help to her.
Beyond taking care that one ~ ns
three men should be always In the
house, we did nothing. SO Tar as l
knew. except 10 await events passive
ly. Doctor Reid, or course, went daily
10 his office, where he remained OF.
ten until late in the afternoon; and
Mr.. Tabor, though understood that
he was retired from active business,
made two or three all-day trips TO
the city. What they might be doing
TO safeguard US from Carucci or In
affairs more intimate to the situation
I could not guess. At any rate, my
own periods of guardianship were
generally lonely; for Mrs. Tabor was
stiIl too shaken by our recent alarm
to he much out OF her room, and Lady
made occasion of shopping to accom-
nany her father. Perhaps. was
touchy: but II seemed that she avoid
ed the strain OF being long alone with
me, skating on thin Ice above emo
ton.
J Mrs. Tabor had gone to lie down
after luncheon. and l was trying "a
forget I'm a book the prospect OF q
long uninteresting afternoon within
| doors, when the telephone In the der
across the hall began TO ring. l hur
ried across. with an irritable impulse
+, to shout, Yes, I'm coming, and PICK
| ed IL up.
! "Hello!' drawled the little voice
Who is this?"
gave the number, with meptal
reservation concerning some un
known persons telephone manners
"Yes, l know; but who's there
Who is this speaking?
This is Mr.. Tabor.s house. saio
I sharply. do you want some one II
particular, or will you leave a mes
sage?" II may have been partly the
voice which annoyed me; thick
soft voice unnaturally sweet In Its
infection, a voice like the caress ol
fat hand. / thought there was
trace OF foreign accent. but tna'
might be imagination.
"Oh-might speak with Mrs. Ia
Dor, please?"
Hold the line a moment, said /;
and as I turned. there was Mrs. Ia
Dor herself in the doorway
| els Il for me?" she asked. fot
know. I'm sure It's the very same
person was going to call. Telephone
calls cross that way all the time
just like letters"
left her, and went back to my
book. A few minutes later Sheila
came In.
Mrs. Tabor"-she began. Their
with an astonished look about the
room, why, where is she?"
she was in Mr.. Tabor's study
tclephoning. moment ago. said
"Is anything the natter
~She never came upstairs again
at all. Will she be out around the
garden anywhere. wonder? Would
YOU mind looking, sir, while III bt
seeing II she's In the house?"
| searched not only the garden
but the entire grounds and ! did II
with hurried thoroughness and 9