The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-03-02
CHAPTER xEi.-(contlnued.)

CHAPTER XEi.-(continued.)
AND the door at the head of thu
stairs which leads from here into thu
kitchen, was that disturbed?" I asked
her as my first sensations faded. Shs
was painting from excitement and ths
haste Of her movements.
mo, the door was locked and Jus
Id + left 1t last night with the key
sim on the inside. He could no
have gone UP higher than the heat
81 The basement stuir. I just hap
pened TO remember that I had left 9
broom Down here yesterday, and wher
came down after 1t noticed this
door right away. Who on earth dc
you suppose could have done TT" She
was wTinging her hands weakly, the
pegspiration Of nervousness popping
from her forehead
Being In total darkness myself,
Z rnadetno attempt to enlighten her as
carefully examined the place. Out,
side Of the scanty supply Of coal that
remained from last winters supply
The basement contained little save an
ac@fnulation Of odds and ends and
50 nd chest Of mine that contained
articles that had stored away years
before. However, still retained the
key 70 It, and | now opened it and
{ made q careful inspection OF It's in
serlor. So far as j could discover by
minute scrutiny the articles within
as had remained untouched since had
last placed them there. and satisfied
90 that point shut ana locked it
again without having as yet received
the faintest ray Of light to assist
NY search must have spent at least
nail an hour In my examination of the
pace and my questions Of the house
Keeper, but at the end of that time
vas compelled to give up with abso-
lutely nothing learned that had not
xnoWn to start with Another thing
Iaaf perplexed me somewhat was as
whether or not I should inform my
ausle OF this new crime. ] did not
veg that anything would be gained by
'elltng him. while it would most GER
Mniy agitate him and lead to further
oasoursts; therefore / decided to
aeaVs him in ignorance Of il and re-
Vueated Mrs. Tebbets to do the same.
s'so decided to see LeDuc and get
ais opinion on the matter, and repair
Ivy tne outraged doors as best / could
N'a manner. boards and nails, and
eOOtaihg the housekeeper by my as
suashces that the incident was a triy.
tatV 70 which she need pay no further
a'snsloh. went upstairs and sat
VoWn 70 my breakfast with Uncle Abb
.ef as usual. But an hour later when
laa reached my office telephoned
N aesectiye with the request that he
ssu me at the noon hour. He readily
ssseRted and then went about my
daily work.
~ met me at luncheon and ex-
a,nea the matter to him without
Meuae' He looked serious minded
]. n, finished, What do you think Of
Ill i. ! asked. IN his abstraction he
e e.'a,eo MS reply for perhaps 80 Sec
seems peculiar. But I am more
~ ,uea 20 consider 1t as separate
~ ~ instinct offence rather than as
4. 'eerAlath OF the original happen
,is s' further than that ! don't be-
~ 49, lava any theory to advance as
~ S however, 1t may all come out in
Il. Aiai solution. provided there ts
MI. ald IN the meantime would dis
n ne 81 = from my mind If I were you,
loos sou md that difficult you may
MAJ, upon IL in this light. II re-
n,.aa Oei. we had sharp shower last
ao sas-the thunder awoke me. 1t is
hsss unreasonable to assume that some
storm saras prowler caught in the
nas., may have forced his wav in
II s,as, 20 secure dry nest in which
stocs !, While I did not take much
tormss y mat explanation and SO in
reoens d ai.n' ! added that being in a
nina q. mood would file it in nv
bega, ~, ~. future reference and then
l,,ova,n aasesfogating him as to his own
esthsras1 's since we had last fore
Id h.s but when it came to that
seemss aiesie to say and at first
tbas sa oisinclined to part with even
i > h, Later on as we ate, however
c y became trifle more $500,
J, a ~ Under the warning inf,ne un
,r.s sooacco and coffee he haaan ~
gn ass more satisfactory replies 20 NV ~
th,np - out If he had learned anv.
4 sin.a Importance ~ he did not betray
sne Gay upon which he had