The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-09-14
CHAPTER XIV.
A BATTLE OF WITS.

l saw the Dwift spasm Of hatred
winch crossed her face, as she .recog-
nized me; I even fancied that her fin-
ger ughtened convulsively upon the
trigger, and / braced myself for the
shock. But she did not fire. Instead,
sne lowered her pistol with grim
little laugh.
so. it's you'll" she said, and stood
liciously.
Yes. I answered. who did you
haps."
him.
9! always carry this pistol when 1
at night"
And know how to use It, 1 dare
say"
self"
I'm sure of 1t. Do you often go
back and forth at night?"
Its sometimes late when I get
through here"
But this time I pointed out. you
weren't leaving the house-you were
returning to It,"
is that any Of your business?" she
asked. her ewes beginning to CLEAN.
Perhaps not" ] admitted.
AND yet you're capable Of making
a mystery out of IT," she sneered.
Let me relieve your mind-Tm stay-
ing with Mrs. Lawrence. She sleeps
badly and wishes me near her."
AND your exits and entrances are,
l suppose. usually by the Window
It's the most convenient way"
Mrs. Lawrence doesn't object, then;
to your leaving 1t open?"
II don't leave It OPEN"
You did Just now"
She looked at me a moment without
replying, then laughed a short, little
laugh Of mingled amusement and vex-
alton.
TN leave you to puzzle 1t out, I
think" she said. You're so ingenious.
you'll surely hit upon the explanation.
l scarcely expected to see you here
again." she added. You thought II
worth while to return?"
Yes: there are one or two points
which are not quite clear"
And you expect to make them SOP"
she asked, with hooking smile. How?
BY lurking around the house like a
thief, and following women?"
There was something in her tone. her
look, her attitude, which caught my
attent1on--a sort cf confident triumph,
as OF one who plays for n higher stake
and wins. She was no longer anxious
and perturbed. as she had been the
day before-nay. that very morning.
She thought it safe to flout me openly.
so you convinced Mrs Lawrence
that you and your sister were not
guilty?" I asked. But of course you'd
do that"
Guilty OF whatT she demanded
flushing darkly.
Guilty Of causing Miss Lawrence's
flight" / answered bluntly. "Of wreck
ing her life"
do you believe that?"
II know it,"
She laughed scornfully.
You know great deal, it seems"
More than you think" retorted
She flushed again, and bit her lips
to restrain their trembling.
Though there's one thing I don't
know ! went on, determined to strike
home. II could. Il can't imagine why
Miss Lawrence should have chosen
your house as a place OF refuge. She
must know that you hate her--that you
waited. like snake In ambush. for the
moment when the blow would pierce
most deeply; she must see that you
are using her to avenge yourself"
A sharp click interrupted me, and I
found myself in darkness. heard the
closing of a door. the turning of a lock.
the wall, I found the electric button
and switched on the light again, I saw
that the door leading from the library
to the hall was closed. I tried tit
was locked. =
Good night. Mr.. Lester" called a.
low hooking voice from the other side.
please turn off the light before you'
go, and close the window after you.
Another thing-Td advise you not to
disturb my sister again tonight; 1t
would really not be safe. And hope.
you'll let me know when you succeed
in clearing up those little points you
were speaking of-Fm immensely I'm
terested in them"
She laughed again, and I heard her
footsteps die away down the hall.
Feeling absurdly foolish, l switched
off the light and left the house. Plainly,
Lucy Kingdom had ceased to fear me.
She believed that she had won the