The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-07-05


galow.
O'Rourke got down. discharged the
driver and assembled the steps, little
puzzled to find no one waiting to well
come him. whether Sypher, Miss Pyn-
sent, or at worst a servant Surely
he was expected. But nobody
appeared. The grating tires Of the
departing tikkagharry had made noise
enough to apprise the household Of
the arrival of guest, one would think
Nevertheless ORourke remained un-
greeted.
He str6ked his chm, perplexed, won
dering If by mischance the native
driver had brought him to the wrong
bungalow. But It was now too late to
call him back and make sure. And
this verandah. still and empty as it
was, softly lighted by lanterns depend
ent from Its roof. was to him a small
oasis In a world Of darkness. With
out advice he was lost, could ind his
way no other where. He would have
simply to wait until the house
hold came to life. or until by his own
efforts he succeeded In quickening It.
He tried to do this latter to the
best of his ability by tapping sum-
mons on the door-jamb. Through the
wire insect-screens a broad hallway
and a staircase rising to the upper
floor 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 1t
and glanced at his watch. It 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 were
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. ham
mock In one corner was swinging idly
In the breeze. A number of wicker
armchairs stood about, invitlngly fur
nished with cushions. ORourke Sc
lected one and disposed himself to
wait.
After five minutes he frowned
thoughtfully and lit cigarette.
Faith. tits fine surprise he's CIV
en- me-" he said, irresolute. "But 1t
can't be premeditated insult. Why
should 1t be? And they can't all be
out IT'S sorry am let that driver
go; more than likely this will be the
wrong house entirely. That must be
the trouble. III just go, quietly fold
up me tent and decamp before the in
habitants, II 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; 1t would be difficult to
say what, unless It were the unbroken.
steadfast uncanny quiet 'Tll have a
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 H.
Illuminated by hanging lamps of un,
usual brilliancy, the interior was clear
ly revealed. And with an abrupt ex.
clamation the adventprer entered, feel
ing for the revolver, to carry which
had of late become habitual with him.
The room was simply furnished, II
tastefully. There was a grand piano
near the veranda windows with a mu-
sic rack and cabinet near by. Dis
persed about the floor were few COM
Portable chairs. rug of rare Orien-
tai texture, two consoles adorned with
valuable porcelains. In the middle Of
the room stood a draped comfortable
Uttered with books and magazines; to-
ward the back long, fat-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 it looked new and
very strong; it was open. disclosing
a variety of pigeonholes more or less
occupied by docketed documents, and
a smaller interior stronghold.
Between the desk and the safe man
lay prone and quite motionless. He
was dressed for a ceremonious dinner,
and apparently had been struck down
in the act of stepping from his desk
70 Ahc ~. La.. k.,......a II l.