Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-15
CHAPTER X.-Continued.)
BY Mary Roberts-Ri,1eha,

CHAPTER x.-Continued.)
l went to sleep Immediately, I be-
lieve. have no idea how much later
1t was that I reused. l Weakened sud-
denly and sat up in bed. There had
been crash OF some kind, for the
shock was still vibrating along my
nerves Dawn was close; the window
showed gray against the darkness in
side. and could make out dimly the
larger objects in the room. I listened
intently, but the house seemed quiet.
Still was not satisfied. got up,
and, lighting the candle, got into my
raincoat In lieu of dressing gown,
AMI prepared to investigate.
With the fatality that seemed to
pursue my feet in that house, with my
first step trod squarely on top of the
conch-shell, and fell back on the edge
Of the bed swearing softly and hold
ing the injured member. Only when
the pain began to subside did l realize
that I had left the shell on the door
sill, and that 1t had moved at least
eight feet while i slept!
When could walk l put it on the
mantel, it's mate from the other end
Of the hearth beside 1t. Then took
my candle and went out into the hall.
My door, which had left open,
found closed: nothing else was dis
turbed. The leather bag sat just in
side, as Wardrop had left 1t. Through
Miss Maitland's transom were coming
certain strangled and irregular sounds
now falsetto, now deep bass, that
showed that worthy lady to be asleep.
A glance down the staircase revealed
Davidson, stretching in his chair and
looking up at me.
I'm frozen," he called up cautious
.ly.. Throw me down blanket or two,
will you?"
I got couple of blankets from my
bed and took them down. He was ex-
aiming his chair ruefully.
There isn't any grip to this horse
hair stuff" he complained. Every
time | doze off I dream I'm coasting
down the old hill back of the farm,
and when wake up I'm sitting on the
floor, with the end Of my back bone
bent like a hook"
He wrapped himself in the blankets
and sat down again, taking the pre-
caution this time to put his legs on
another chair and thus anchor himself.
Then he produced couple of apples
and penknife and proceeded to pare
and offer me one.
Found 'em in the pantry" he said,
biting into one. II belong to the apple
society. Eat one apple every day and
keep healthy" He stopped and star
ed intently at the apple. II reckon l
got worm that time,'' he said with
less ardor.
"Ill get something to wash him
down." offered, rising, but he waved
me back to my stair.
mot on your life," he said with
things going upstairs?"
"You didn't happen to be up there a
little while ago, did you questioned
in turn.
mo. rye been kept busy trying to
sit tight where l am. Why?"
"Some one came into my room and
Weakened me-" explained. II heard
racket and when l got up found a
shell that I had put on the door-sill
to keep the door open, in the middle
of the room. stepped on it,
He examined piece Of apple before
putting it in his mouth. Then he
turned a pair of shrew eyes on me.
That's funny" he said. Anything
in the room disturbed"
Nothing"
"Where's the shell now?'
"On the mantel. l didn't want to
step on it again.
He thought for minute, but his
remark was wholly facetious
mo I guess you won't step on 1t
up there Like the old woman: she
says, 'Mctorman, if | put my foot on
the rail will be electrocuted? And
he says, No, madam, not unless you
put your other foot on the trolley
wire"
got up impatiently. There was no
humor in tie situation that night for
me.
"some one had been in the room"
reiterated "The door was closed, al
though / had left it OPEN
He finished his apple and proceeded
with great gravity to drop the par
ings down the Immaculate register IN
the floor beside his chair. Then
.I've only got one business here,
Mr.. Knox" he said in an undertone,
"and you know what that is But if it
will relieve your mind of the thought
that there was anything supernatural
about your visitor, I'll tell you that 1t
was Mr.. Wardrop, and that to the best
of my belief he was in your room, not
once, but twice, in the last hour and
q half. AS far as that shell goes, it
was that kicked it, having gone up
without my shoes
l stared at him blankly.
"What could he have wanted?' l
exclaimed But with his revelation,
Davidson's interest ceased; he drew
the blanket up around his shoulders
and shivered.
Search me-" he said and yawned.
I went back to bed, but not to sleep.
I deliberately left the door wide open,
but no intrusion occurred. Once
got up and glanced down the stairs.
Fer all his apparent drowsiness,
Davidson heard my cautious move
ments. and saluted me in a husky
whisper.
Have you got any quinine?" he
said. I'm sneezing my head Off"
But had none. gave him a box