Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-07-13

body. This 1 knew was Jeans chamier.
yet l was in no way surprised at not
discovering her there. as the memory OF
the murder would be sufficient to keep
her from venturing within. Every
thing I touched reminded me of her
However. 1 found nothing disturbed
and no evidence that any one had been
there since the removal OF the lieu
tenants body. My heart was beat
ing rapidly as came forth once more
into the hall and tried the door of the
apartment opposite 1t was locked.
and L raped softly. There was a rus
tie within. then jeans voice:
.swho is it?"
Lieutenant King. WIN you speak
with me a moment?"
heard the lock turn. the door open
reakingly, and she stood before me.
her face calm. but her eyes troubled.
what is it? What has happened?
You have been fighting belowT'
Eyes, Miss Denslow, but nothing
that need alarm you. Affairs have
changed very rapidly, but you can
remain here In perfect safety. The
Federal troop OF cavalry that came
to my assistance was suddenly fred
on by parties concealed in the shrub
berry. We lost a number Of men, but
the survivors succeeded in getting into
the house and have driven their as
sailants back. Just now It is quiet
on both sides, but the truce probably
Is not lasting"
what soldiers came to aid your
"a troop OF Ohio cavalry. under
guidance of one Of my scouts"
'eNot-not Bill Daniels?'' And for
the first time I realized that ahe
shared with me the belief that this
man was responsible for the many
horrors OF the night
mo, he was not with Them az
sured her, clasping her hand I'm sud-
den desire to give comfort lie now
is In the Federal lines, and has not
been here at all Whoever the muir
derer may be. he is not Daniels"
Are you sure?"
absolutely so; O'Brfen. who IL on
guard yonder, asserts that Daniels
was never out of his sight until after
they returned to camp. He Is a sim
pie hearted Irish lad and, believe.
speaks the truth"
She looked from my face down In
the hall to where the Lad was barely
visible amid the far shadows, her
hand still within mine, as If she chung
to me unconsciously. Then her eyes
came back questioningly to my own
''What-what is he doing there"
Merely watching the hall while I
search the rooms"
'Why should you search the rooms?"
Because we cannot afford to be
taken by surprise from the rear.
am hunting for the secret passage"
isis that why you stationed him
way back there?'
The question was innocent enough.
natural enough. yet Instantly it awoke
my suspicion She knew now where
that entrance was-she may not have
known before. Donald must have still
been in the hall when she came up
stairs, and he had been compelled to
reveal to her his means OF escape from
the house. And we must have guess
ed right, for it was O'Brien's position
that alarmed her. Perhaps 1 could sur
prise the girl into a partial confession.
81 stationed him there" l said quiet
ly, because 1 believe that fireplace
to find out"
For an instant thought the shot had
carried home. Then her eyes smiled,
almost mockingly.
THAT is very bright OF you, 1 am
sure, but really I think you are mis-
taken. Have you searched all the
roomsT'
''An except those to the rear"
at have never looked into those my
SELF" she confessed May go with
you? Truly, l am as anxious to un-
cover this mysterious passage an you
are"
Certainly you may 60 with ma I
answered carelessly. -But the roona
can wait; that big chimney looks ia
me the more promising"
Convinced by the expressina On hee
face, not only that she knew the truth
but that ! was upon the right trail.
started toward the rear Of the hall.
never zlancing behind, yet Gware that
Miss Jean was following. In appear
ance it was a strange. old faahtonsd
fireplace, nothing more-large enough
to contain a great back log ana over
Swallowed by a huge mantel The
opening was concealed by an Iron nre
screen. leaving nothing visible to
arouse suspicion, yet the apparent die
of the chimney and that such a dre-
place should be located here upon the
second floor appeared sufficiently odd
to merit close attention.
Have you heard or seen anything
O'Bren" asked as came up
Not a thing, sor," his eyes on thu
girl, only the wind. There's a power
full dhraft BLOWN up the chimney" (
mo dOT1bf. II in Ia onnr~r t> e.v>