The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-22

early. Presumably the servants were
all out of earshot, presccupied with
preparations for the meal; while
Sypher and his niece were most prob
ably still dressing.
With an impatient air O'Rourke
turned back to the yeranda. A ham,
mock in one corner was swinging idly
in the breeze. A number of wicker
armchairs stood about, invitingly fur
nished with cushions. O'Rourke se-
lected one and disposed himself to
wait.
After five minutes he frowned
thoughtfully and lit cigarette.
Faith, it's fine surprise he's CIV
en- me-, he said, irresolute. But it
can't be premeditated insult. Why
should it be? And they can't all be
out. IT'S sorry l am l let that driver
go; more than likely this will be the
wrong house entirely. That must be
the trouble. I'll just go, quietly fold
up me tent and decamp before the in
habitants, if any there be, discover
me and run me off the premises"
But at the head of the steps, with
strained him; it would be difficult to
say what, unless it were the unbroken,
steadfast, uncanny quiet. iii have
look" he determined suddenly; per
maps
He turned to the right and stopped
before long, open window, looking
into what seemed to be a music room
and library combined. Brilliantly H.
Illuminated by hanging lamps of I'M
usual brilliancy, the interior was clear
ly revealed. And with an abrupt ex-
clamation the adventurer entered, feel
ing for the revolver, to carry which
had of late become habitual with him.
The room was simply furnished, II
tastefully. There was a grand piano
near the veranda windows with mu-
sic rack and cabinet near by. Dis
persed about the floor were few COM
Portable chairs, rug of rare Orien-
tai texture, two consoles adorned with
the room stood a draped comfortable
Uttered with books and magazines; to-
ward the back long, flat-topped desk.
And against the rear wall, ordinarily
hidden by a folding screen of Japan
csc manufacture, now swept aside,
was a small steel safe. Upon this
O'Rourke's attention was centered.
He remarked that it looked new and
very strong; it was open, disclosing
a variety of pigeonholes more or less
occupied by docketed documents, and
a smaller interior stronghold.
Between the desk and the safe a man
lay prone and quite motionless. He
was dressed for ceremonious dinner,
and apparently had been struck down
in the act of stepping from his desk
to the safe. For beyond all doubt he
had been murdered. The hiatt of
knife protruded from his back, buried
to It's hilt gust beneath his left shoul-l
der-blade. IL
O'Rourke moved over to the body
and lifted it by the shoulders, turn
ing the face to the light. Then, with
low oath, he dropped it:
A small sound, so slight as to be all
but indistinguishable, penetrated
O'Rourke's stupefaction. He stood
erect, looking about, telling himself
that, the noise resembled as much as
anything the hushed cry of child
sobbing in sleep, soft and infinitely
pathetic. Unable to assign its source,
elsewhere, he attributed it to the
stricken man at his feet; and in des-
perate hope that the pulse Of life
might still linger in Sypher's body, he
knelt, withdrew the knife, turned the
corpse upon Its back, and laid his ear
,, to its breast, above tho heart. Be-
yond dispute. syphsr was dead. n.
Poor divvle!" muttered the Irish-1
man. :. The Pool q I1A11l
: -; 3 s