The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-06-14

toor were visible. Limp. cool-looking
rugs conceived in pleasing color.
schemes protected the hardwood floor
ing. To the right a door stood ajar
and permitted a broad shaft of light
to escape from the room beyond On
the other hand a similar door. like.
wise open, showed a DINNER glow.
Two other doors were closed:
O'Rourke assumed that they led to
the kitchen Offices.
Having waited a few moments with
out event, the Irishman knocked a sec
ond time, and would have knocked a
third when he thought better OF It
and glanced at his watch. II was only
a matter of ten minutes after eight;
strictly interpreting the intent of
Sypher's invitation, he was a trihe
early. Presumably the servants we're
all out Of earshot. preoccupied with
preparations for the meal: while
Sypher and his niece were most prob
ably still dressing.
With an impatient air ORourke
turned back to the veranda. a ham
mock In one corner was swinging idly
in the breeze. A number OF wicker
armehairs stood about, invitingly fur
nished with cushions. ORourke Sc
lected one and disposed himself to
wait
After five minutes ne frownsi
thoughtfully and lit a cigarette.
Faith, It's a fine surprise he's CIV
en- me-" he said, irresolute. But it
can't be premeditated insult. Why
should 1t be? And they can't all be
out. 'Tis sorry | am / 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 of the premises"
But at the head of the steps, with
foot poised to descend something re-
strained him; it would be difficult to
say what, unless 1t were the unbroken,
steadfast, mcanny quiet. "Ill have
look" he determined suddenly; per
haps ."
He turned to the right and stopped
before a long. open window. looking
into what seemed to be a music room
and library combined Brilliantly IL
Illuminated by hanging lamps of un-
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. If
tastefully. There was a grand piano
near the veranda windows with a mu-
sic rack and cabinet near by. Dis
persed about the floor we're a few COM
Portable chairs, a rug of rare Orien-
tai texture, two consoles adorned with
valuable porcelains. In the middle of
the room stood a draped center-table
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
ese manufacture, now swept aside,
was a small steel safe. Upon this
O'Rourke's attention was centered.
He remarked that 1t looked new and
very strong; it was open, disclosing
a variety of pigeonholes more or less
occupied by docketed documents, and
a smaller interior strong-boX.
Between the desk and the safe a man
lay prone and quite motionless. He
u,an Jroc.ad fnv a oarnvoorto,,. It~...
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 haft of a
knife protruded from his back, buried
to its hllt just beneath his l&t shoul-
der-blade.
O'Rourke moved over to the body
and lifted it by the shoulders, turn
ing the face to the light. Then, with
a 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
hat the noise resembled as much as
anything the hushed cry of child
iobbing in sleep, soft and infinitely
Unable to assign its source
he attributed 1t to the
stricken man at his feet; and in a des-
,erate hope that the pulse of life
night still linger in Sypher's body, he
melt, withdrew the knife, turned the
.orpse upon its back, and laid his ear
o its breast, above the heart Be-
'ond dispute, sypher was dead.
Poor divvle!" muttered the Irish
nan. THE Pool of Flamel
:"