The Springfield herald., 1912-03-15

by the front door, as the back door
was bolted from the inside. Will you
be good enough to let me have yours
for few momentsf" Clare moved
nervously.
Its queer about that key: can't
find it," she said hastily. II always
carry 1t in my purse. but when l
searched for 1t few moments ago on
my way over here 1t was not there.
For the life of me cannot imagine
where l could have misplaced 1t, for
have been very careful to always
keep It in that one place. simply
know have not lost 1t, but it is Just
as strange as 1t can be-" She squirm-
ed like worried schoolgirl.
Suppose we go back little. When
do you remember of having 1t last?"
he pursued. Her forehead wrinkled
with thought.
Three or four days ago when !
came over here. ] have not had oc-
casion to think of 1t since until Tom
called me up few moments ago. 1
am as worried about 1t as can be.
but am certain that have not lost
it."
Do" ASDuS o BaLc iuh oNci wv
graceful form of the girl and then
settle upon her face with an express
sion that was beyond doubt one Of
unequivocal approval. That Glare.
whose heart was as open to the world
as Is the heart of q flower to the
light of the sun, could harbor any
secret as dark as this was preposter-
Gus to one who knew her. l had never
met a 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 a
though 1t Is that one can never tell
what heights or depths a woman will
achieve to save the man who carries
her heart. Quietly I 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 l do
not understand 1t 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 l suppose there Is some good
reason back Of 1t. do not know
what 1t Is. Anyway. am worried"
She dropped her eyes and tapped gent
ly on the floor with her toe. 81 wish
you would try and get him on the
wire, Tom, and find out II he Is all
right. That Is all care, to know at
present" ! assented and started for
the telephone, but had made but a
step or two before / heard nrst 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 frst foot
fall l halted. listening. Usually he
mounted something after the fashion
of scurrytng 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 l stepped back.
He advanced to the doorway, fal-
tered there with one hand braced
against the jamb and the crimson
flushing his face as he saw Glare
amongst US. His eyes were as red
shot as a bloodhounds, and the hand
that hung by his side was aspen. The
unmistakable marks of an evil night
were stamped about his mouth and
his usually clear face looked puttyish
and mottled. l heard Glare gasp as
she arose and slowly approached him
with unbelieving eyes. He stepped
aside rs though to avoid her, his
glance falling to the floor.
'I 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 / gently pulled the girl back to her
seat and answered him In matter of
fact tones.
There is nothing to tell at present
except that the safe was burglarized
last night and the $4,000 stolen. I
spent the night downtown and found
Uncle Abner bound and unconscious
when / returned home this morning.
He was not much hurt and is all right
now. This is MIR. LeDuc, who has
been engaged by Uncle Abner to
try and ferret out the matter. think
that is the whole thing In nut she'll"
He stood as II in a half daze, his gaze
rambling over us.
ANY clues?" he mumbled at length
made no spoken reply, merely bow
ing in the direction Of the detective.
And at the signal LeDuc Immediately
assumed vocal command.
1.-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 Is
unable to offer any explanation. and
we therefore turn to you as one who
is frequently in her company in the
hope that you may offer suggestion.
Can you offer any thought along that
line?"
He shook his head decisively and
without hesitation, and leaned back
in nv chair with a long breath of