Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-02

i
and ourselves with double dummy. |
don't mind sitting up.
@You haven't such thing as revolver?s she asked.
o has, replied "She carries one IN the car; but
wouldn't pull the trigger for Empire! III bring it,
though, if you want it."
Bring it," she said
T DIDN'T tell 10 the whole truth. l said Natalie
didn't lose anything when she tainted, and she
didn't. When 10 was asleep went back to Natalie and
took the revolver We played double dummy, with the
wicked little weapon on the table, and talked about
everything except thieves until two o'clock Nothing
happened little slice of the dying moon hung in the
keep from yawning Both Natalie and growing
stupid. Finally she suggested that get some sleep,
and she would read. She wasn't afraid, with the re-
vover for she said she could shoot and shoot straight;
but perhaps she would go bed The petered
out the morning advanced night vigil began to
look bit wild and absurd.
yawned goodnight and went. l think asleep
before touched the bed dreamed, and the dreams
not pleasant l saw Winthrop, his arms covered
with emerald bracelets he plucked at them, and they
became little green snakes. Looking on, smiling
his Grace; but instead of being small and dark he
tall and fair with saber cut his cheek Then the
emerald bracelets chains, and was pushing frantic
was in cell where Winthrop walking up and down,
up and down, dragging his canking chains.
awoke. Everything quite still: | listened: |
heard nothing. After deciding wouldn't get up, did.
The doors securely locked, knew; but l tried
them each in turn 10 sleeping soundly | went
into the sitting room and looked out There the
fa1nt l1ght OF early enough to distinguish the
dim outline of trees. After awhile became conscious
of the fact that moving below. strained
my eyes to see, my heart beating wildly Then knew
it was-Winthropl He moved across the lawn | saw
him STOP raise his ARM and rub the back of his head.
! couldn't be mistaken in that gesture. l think he
turned back once; then the dim outline of his figure
retreated, and lost in the direction of the beach
While stood there wondering, my brain in muddle
of conjecture staring after Winthrop something else
moved on the lawn below. | looked straning my eyes
through the pale dawn. A man, yes-that much was
ol,IrOu he and sud
denly it came to me-Thomas, the footman. But not
the rigid hveried servant quick moving, alert,
crouchng, creeping Thomas. He darted the
lawn and vanished in the direction Winthrop had gone.
[ getting back into bed, too bewidered for
nected thought, when heard sharp, quick noise like
the falling of hammer some heavy object on the
floor. The sound had seemed to from overhead.
There overhead, unless in the
gallery. had no business investigating; but did.
sudden thought pushed forward in my now wideawake
mind that 10 had acted strangely about the gallery
T UNLOCKED my door carefully. Natalie'slgi1t
out No doubt she had decided to go to sleep. l
stood there beside my door for perhaps two minutes
perhaps tent seemed to be century,-and finally
my waiting rewarded. The sound came again just
overhead but this time muffled, and heard
footsteps. 1t occurred to me that 60
ing into danger when went toward the steps leading
rom. the wing to the floor above. | wanted to know
who in the gallery at that time of night-or
ing.
reached the top of the steps, feeling my way
fully. The corridors quite dark, for the shades
were drawn, keeping out what little light there
but knew the steps to the gallery just to my
right. Before turned to ascend that second flight
felt there was someone near me put out my hand;
but drew back quickly. had not touched anything;
but was scared blue. My fright must have made
lose my bearings for the moment.
My hand came in contact with door, knew it was
the cardroom door. I pushed it open and went in,
while tried to control my wildly beating heart and my
stampeding courage Once thought of switching
the light but II was afraid of the light. 1t occurred
to me that was in ridiculous position. The Dukes
suite just beyond. If he should hear me, and he
too should decide to investigate
knew thing, that going back to my room
instantly and let the noise in the gallery take of