The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-09-14

fight. that her position was impregn-
able. Either she thought that Marcia
Lawrence had escaped, that we had not
traced her to the Umbria, or she knew
that the telegram was blind, and that
we had been misled by It, Which was
right, wondered. And she must have
come off well. too, in that interview
with Mrs. Lawrence, which l would
have given so much to have overheard
must have convinced her of her in
nocence, else she would not still be en-
ployed as maid in the Lawrence
house, and retained SO near her mis-
tress. How had she done it? How had
she succeeded In binding her mistress
SO completely?
Then sudden thought stabbed
through me. Was 1t possible, I asked
myself, that Mrs. Lawrence had been
a party to the deception--that she had
knowingly assisted in the farce of the
telegram, for my benefit? But, as I
reviewed her behavior at our morning
interview. could not believe 1t. She
was no such consummate actress as
that would imply. If I was dupe, then
she was dupe also.
Busy with this problem: made my
way through the grove along the path
back to the Kingdom cottage, and stood
Tor moment looking over the hedge
before opening the gate. There. was q
dlnlng room, but even as gazea'a 1t,
the iight moved, shadow crossed the
blind; the light reappeared in the
kitchen, faded and Misrepresentation
moment later. my heart leaped suf-
focatingly as l perceived a glimmer of
light at the ventiiator In the founda-
ton! What was this woman doing In
the cellar! What was the task that
was going forward there?
l entered the grounds and started
forward along the hedge, when sud-
denly a hand: reached up from the
shadow and held me fast. For an in
slant l struggled fiercely to free my
self-but only for an instant.
Come, Lester, sit down." said a
voice carefully repressed, but which I
nevertheless recognized as Godfrey's.
Il was looking for YOU" he added, as
l dropped to the grass beside him.
oh, Is 1t you, Godfrey? I asked,
much relieved. Il rather thought you
might be out this way, when found
you weren't at the hotel. What.are the
developer ents?"
Wait 4 minute. Iwonder where that
light has gomez"
It's in the cellar" I'said and pointed
out to him the faint glimmer which
marked the ventilator. 1T was there
last night. I sat here for over an hour
and watched It," and told him briefly
Of my adventures of the night before.
He listened without comment until
1 had finished.
IT'S 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. II is?"
Il don't know" he answered slowly.
Perhaps 1t is. Did Miss Kingdom men,
ton 1t when she saw you. this morn
ing?"
"Yes-she said she'd been in the Gel
lar, putting away some fruit"
Absurd! There's no fruit this early
true, she wouldn't have to repeat the
process again tonight. What else
haven't you told me?"
l laughted and recounted my adven-
lures from the moment Mrs. Lawrence
gave me her daughters telegram until
that other moment 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" he said, II saw Lucy Kingdom
leave the house few minutes ago. Her
sisters alone there now. What do you
suppose she's doing in the cellar?"
II can't imagine"
You could see nothing?"
Not thing except her shadow NOV
ing back and forth"
Moving back and FORTH"
Yes; it seemed 60 me that she was
alternately rising and STOPPING, as
though she were going through some
sort of exercise"
Shed hardly go into the cellar at
midnight to exercise"
NO, OF course not. But that's the
only explanation / could think Of I'M
less she's bowling up and down before
an idol"
Godfrey laughed grimly.
TtnA
he said. Fancy our headlines: Devil
Worship at Elizabeth! Fantastic Mid
night Orgies in a Cellar!' Wouldn't that
stir the public? But I'm afraid it's a
little too fantastic. Could you hear
anything?"
''only the faintest of faint sounds.
couldn't make anything of them"
We'll, there wouldn't be any sounds
at all II che we're merely bobbing up
and down before an idol. Was she
alone last niCht?"
Yes. Tier sister spent the night
with Mrs. Lawrence. Godfrey" I adj
ded, ''yo haven't told me yet why you
sent that telegram. Has Miss Law
renee returned?"
"Not that know Of Furthermore.
l don't think she will return very soon."
Then you think she really sailed?"
Il think-I don't know what to think,
Lester Give me a moment more. Isn't
there window to the cellar?"
Yes. but It's closely curtained"
We'll. I'm going to take look, my
self" he said. Wait here for me, and
be as patient as you can"
saw him go cautiously forward to-
ward the ventilator, and stoop down
before It., He remained there motion
less for some moments, then disap-
peared around corner Of the house.
1 sat there waiting for him, thinking
not without some chagrin, that, as us
ual, he had pumped me dry, and given
nothing in return. 1t was really un-
fair of Godfrey to. expect every one to
play into his hands. And yet, / re-
Elected, If he hadn't wanted to be
friendly. he would scarcely have, taken
the trouble to send me that, message.