The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-09
The
Staircase.
By MARY ROBERTS RINEHART
COPYRIGHT 1908 BY THE BoBBs- MERRILL COMPANY

BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHARI

! was puzzling over that voice. with
ont result
And there were other things, too
! wondered what Gertrude's absence
from her room had to do with il all
or If ii had any connection. | tried
10 think that she had heard the rap
ping noises before | did and gone to
inv estigate. but I'm afraid I was a
moral coward that day. / could not
ask her.
Perhaps the diversion was good for
me. 1t took my mind from Halsey,
and the story We had heard the night
before. The day, however, was a.
long vigil with every ring of the tele-
phone fun of possibilities. Or. Walker
came up. some time just after lunch
con. and asked for me.
Go down and see him." / instruct
ed Gertrude. Tell him / am out
for mercy's sake don't say I'm sick.
Find out. what he wants, ana from
thii time on instruct the servants that
he Is not TO be admitted / Ioathe
that NAM"
Gertrude came back very soon, her
face rather flushed.
He came to ask us to get out -
she said. picking up her book with a
jerk. He says Louise Armstrong
wants to come here, now that she is
recovering"
And what did you say"
said we were Very sorry wa
could not leave. but we would be
delighted to have Louise come ,tp
here with us He looked daggers at
me. And he wanted to know If we
would recommend Eliza as cook.
He has brought patient, a man out
from town. and is increasing his es-
tahlishment~-that's the way he put
it,
Il wish him joy of ELIAS said
tart1y. Did he ask for Halsey?"
Yes l told him that We were on
the track last night. and that it was
only question of time. He said he
was glad. although he didn't appear
t. be, but he said not to be too san
sune,'
DO you know what believer" I
asked. Il believe as firmly az be-
iieve anything, that DIR. Walker knows
something about Halsey. and that he
could put his finger on him. If he
wanted to-"
There were several things that day
that bewildered me. About 8 o'clock
Mr. Jameson telephoned from the
Casanova station and Warner went
down to meet him. / got up and
dressed hastily. and the detective was
shown up to my sitting room.
No news?" ] asked, as he entered.
He tried to look encouraging, without
success. / noticed that he looked tired
and dusty. and, although he was or
impeccable in his appearance,
II was clear that he was at least two
days from a razor.
1T won't be long now. Miss Innes."
he said. Il have come out here on
a peculiar errand. which ! will tell
you about later. First / want to ask
some questions. Did any one come
out here yesterday to repair the tele-
phone and examine the wires on the
roof"
Yes ! said promptly; but it was
not the telephone. He said the wir-
ing might have caused the fire at the
stable. went up with him myself,
but he only looked around"
Mr.. Jameson smiled.
Good for yout" he applauded.
Don't allow any one in the house
that You don't trust. and don't trust
anybody All are not electricians who
wear rubber gloves."
He refused TO explain further, but
ne got slip of paper out of his
and opened 1t carefully.
Listen" he said. '.You heard this
before and scoffed In the light OF
recent Developments want you to
read 1t again. You are clever wo-
rs.nxArdiss Innes Just ~ surely as |
sit Re. there is something in this
house that liz wanted very anxiously
BY number 81 people. The lines
are closing up. Miss Innes."
Ito BE- conttnued.l