Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-09-21

house. and retained so near her mis-
tress. How had she done it? 10y had
She succeeded in binding her mistress
so completely?
Then a sudden thought stabbed
through me. Was 1t possible, l asked
myself. that Mrs. Lawrence had been
a party TO the d~eception-that she had
knowingly assisted in the farce OF tho
telegram. for my benefit? But. as I
reviewed her behavior at our morning
interview. l could not believe 1t. She
was no such consummate actress as
that would imply. If was a dupe, then
she was a dupe also.
Busy with this problem. l made my
way through the grove along the path
back to the Kingdom cottage, and stood
for a momen looking over the hedge
before opening the gate. There was a
light In the room which I took to be the
dlnlng room. but even az l gaZed at 1t,
the light moved, a shadow crossed the
blind; the light reappeared In the
kitchen. faded and Misrepresentation,
a momen later. my heart leaped suf-
focatingly as l perceived a glimmer of
light at the ventilator In the founda-
ton! What was this woman doing in
the cellar! What was the task that
was going forward there?
I entered the grounds and started
denly a hand reached up from the
slant I struggled ferccly to free my
self-but only for an instant.
Come. Lester. sit down. said .
voice carefully repressed, but which !
nevertheless recognized as Godfrey's.
Il was looking for you." he added. as
I dropped to the grass beside him.
"oh. is it you. Godfrey" 1 asked.
much relieved. Il rather thought you
might be out this way. when I found
you weren't at the hotel. What are the
developments"
wait a minute. 1 wonder where that
light a gone"
IT'S III the cellar" I said, and pointed
out to him h faint glimmer which
marked the ventilator. 1T was there
last night. I sat here for over an hour
and watched It," and I told him briefly
OF my adventures Of the night before.
He listened without comment until
I had finished.
ITS a pity you didn't tell me that
this morning" he said.
Il didn't see that 1t was connected
with the case In any way. 1t is?"
II don't know" he answered slowly.
Perhaps 1T is. Did Miss Kingdom men,
ton 1T when h saw you this MORN
ing?"
"Yes--she said she'd been in the eel
lar. putting away some fruit"
absurd! There's no fruit this early
in the year. Besides. even If 1t were
true, she wouldn't have to repeat the
process again tonight. What else
haven't you told met"
I laughted Inc recounted my adven-
lures from the Mrs. Lawrence
gave me her daughters telegram until
that other when Lucy Kingdom
left me alone In the darkened library.
He listened without interruption. his
eyes on the glimmer of light at the
ventilator.
Yes" no said. * saw Lucy Kingdom
leave the house a few minute ago. Her
sisters alone there now. What do you
suppose she's doing In the cellar?"
Il a imagine
You could see nothing?"
ing back and FORTH
Moving back and forth ?"
Yes: 1t seemed to me that she was
alternately rising and STOPPING, as
though she were going through some
sort Of exercise"
She'd hardly go into the cellar at
midnight to exercise"
NO. OF course not. But that's the
only explanation 1 could think Of. UNI
less shes bowling up and down before
an idol
Godfrey laughed grimly.
n woul be a unique solution"
he said. Fancy our headlines: Devil
Worship at Elizabeth! Frantastic Mid
night Orgies In a Cellar!' Wouldn't that
little too fantastic. Could you hear
anything"
only the aintest Of faint sounds. I
couldn't make anything of them"
Well. there wouldn't be any sounds
at all IL she were merely bobbine up
and down before an idol. Was She
alone last night? 2" :.
Yes. Her sister spent the night
with Mrs. Lawrence. Godfrey" I adj
ded, you haven't told me yet why o
sent that telegram. Has Miss Law
renee returned?"
MOT that I know of. Furthermore.
I don't think she will return very soon"
Then you think h really sailed?'
u hink|I don't know what to think.
Lester. Give me q more. isn't
there a window to the c~ellar?"
Yes. but It's closely curtained."
Well. I'm going to take a look. NV
self" he said. Wait here for me. and
be as patient az you can"
! saw him 60 cautiously forward to-
ward the ventilator. and stoop down
before 1t. He remained there notion
less Tor some moments, then disap-
peared around q corner OF the house
I sat there waiting for him. thinkinc
not without some chagrin, that. "a ua-.
ual. he had pumped me dry. and given
nothing In return. It was really un-
fair of Godfrey to expect eyerv one To
play INTO his hands. And yet, I re-
Elected. II he hadn't wanted n -.
friendly. he would scarcely have taken
the trouble to send me that message.
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