The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1912-01-18

was bolted from the inside. Will yor
be good enough to let me have yours
for a few moments?" Clare moved
nervously.
It's queer about that key; I can't
find it," she said hastily. 81 always
carry 1t in my purse. but when
searched for 1t a few moments ago on
my way over here it was not there
For the life of me I cannot imagine
where l could have misplaced it, for
| have been very careful to always
keep it in that one place. l simply
know have not lost it. but it is just
as strange as it can be-" She squirm-
ed like worried schoolgirl.
Suppose we go back a little. When
do you remember of having it last?"
he pursued. Her forehead wrinkled
with thought
Three or four days ago when
came over here. l have not had oc-
casion to think of it since until Tom
called me up few moments ago.
am as worried about it as l can be,
but | am certain that I have not lost
| it."
saw LeDucs gaze run over the
graceful form OF the girl and then
settle upon her face with an express
sion that was beyond doubt one of
unequivocal approval. That Clare,
whose heart was as open to the world
as is the heart of a flower to the
light Of tho sun, could harbor any
! secret rs dark as this was preposter-
Gus to one who knew her. had never
met girl with sounder morals or
better instincts, and her character was
of spun gold And even though she
loved Bruce and had always defended
his frailties, did not believe that
she would have shielded him had she
believed him guilty OF as unnatural
crime as this. matter OF history
though it is that one can never tell
what heights or depths a woman will
achieve to save the man who carries
her heart. Quietly | asked her when
she had seen Bruce last. and knowing
her mannerisms as | did became in.
stantly aware that my question had
put her on the rack. for faint
shadow fitted cloudlike across her
face. Yet she answered me with her
accustomed frankness.
Day before yesterday-and I do
not understand it either. He was to
see me yesterday evening. but he
neither came nor sent word as To why
he broke the engagement. 1t is not
like him to do such thing, and
while / suppose there is some good
reason back of it, I do not know
what it is. Anyway, | am worried
She dropped her eyes and tapped gent
ly on the floor with her toe. Il wish
you would try and get him on the
wire. Tom, and find out if he is all
right That is al | care TO know at
present" | assented and started for
the telephone, but had made but
step or two before | heard first his
familiar ring at the door and a mo.
ment later his equally familiar voice
from the hall below. Then up the
stairs he came and at the first foot
fall | halted, listening. Usually he
mounted something after the fashion
OF a scurrying cat in series of light
leaps, but now his feet pounded the
boards with heavy uncertainty.
opened the door before him, but at the
first sight Of his face | stepped back.
lie advanced to the doorway. fal-
tered there with one hand braced
against the jamb aud the crimson
flushing his face as he saw Clare
amongst u.s. His eyes were as red
shot as a blooGhound's. and the hand
that hung by his side was aspen. The
unmistakablc marks Of an evil night
were stamped about his mouth and
his usually clear face looked puttyish
and notified. | heard Clare gasp as
she arose and slowly approached him
with unbclieving eyes. He stepped
aside as though to avoid her, his
glance falling to the floor.
IL have heard about tit is in the
papers Tell me the particulars" he
said with hoarse intonation. From
the bottom of my heart | pitied him
as I gently pulled the girl back to her
scat and answered him in matter OF
fact tones.
There Is nothing 10 tell ct present
except that the safe was burglarized
last night and the $4,000 stolen.
spent the night downtown and found
Uncle Abncr bound and unconscious
when returned home this morning.
He was not much hurt and Is all right
now. This is Mr.. LeDuc, who has
been engaged by Uncle Abner to
try and ferret out the matter. ! think
that is the whole thing In nut shell"
lie stood as if in half da-e, his gaze
rambling over us.
Any cluca?" he naumblcd at length.
made no spoken reply, merely bow
Ing in the direction of the detective,
And 1T the signal LeDuc immediately
assumed vocal command.
"The only thing we have learned as
yet which seems to be OF any particu-
lar interest is that Miss Winton's key
has mysteriously disappeared. All the
others have been accounted for and
We are anxious to locate hers. She Ia
unable To offer any explanation, and
NO bercfova turn tn Won ag one who