River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-07-18

floor were visible. Limp, cool-looking
rugs conceived in pleasing color
schemes protected the hardwood floor
ing. To the right 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. 1t was only
matter of ten minutes after eight;
strictly interpreting the intent OF
Sypher's invitation, he was trifle
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 O'Rourke
turned back to the veranda. A ham,
in the breeze. A number Of wicker
armchairs stood about, invitingly fur
nished with cushions O'Rourke Sc
lected one and disposed himself to
wait
After five minutes ne frowned
thoughtfully and lit cigarette.
Faith, It's fine surprise he's CIV
en- me-" he said, irresolute. But 1t
can't be premeditated insult. Why
should it be? And they can't all be
out. 'Tis sorry | am let that driver
go; more than likely this will be the
wrong house entirely. That must be
the trouble. I'll just go, quietly fold
up me tent and decamp before the in
habitants. if any there be, discover
me and run me off the premises"
But at the head of the steps, with
| foot poised to descend, something re-
| strained him; it would be difficult to
say what. unless 1t were the unbroken.
steadfast. uncanny quiet. ri nave a
look" he determined suddenly; per
| maps
He turned to the right and stopped
| before long, open window. looking
| into what seemed to be music room
and library combined. Brilliantly IL
Illuminated by hanging lamps of I'M
usual brilliancy, the interior was clear
| ly revealed. And with an abrupt ex-
clamation the adventurer entered. feel
| ing for the revolver. to carry which
had of late become habitual with him.
The room was simply furnished. if
! 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 a few COM
| Portable chairs. a rug of rare Orien-
tai texture. two consoles adorned with
valuable porcelains. In the middle OF
the room stood draped comfortable
Uttered with books and magazines; to-
ward the back long, tiat-topped desk.
And against the rear wall, ordinarily
hidden by a folding screen of Japan
csc manufacture, now swept aside
was small steel safe. Upon this
/ O,Rourkes attention was conferred
He remarked that it looked new and
very strong; it was open, disclosing
variety of pigeonholes more or less
occupied by docketed documents. and
a smaller interior stronghold.
Between the desk and the safe a man
lay prone and quite motionless. He
was dressed for ceremonious dinner.
and apparently had been struck down
in the act of stepping from his desk
to the safe. For beyond all doub. he
had been murdered. The haft of a
to its hilt just beneath his left shout
der-blade.
! O'Rourke moved over to the body
and lifted it by the shoulders, turn
ing the face to the light. Then, with
a low oath, he dropped it.
A small sound. so slight as to be all
but indistinguishable, penetrated
ORourke's stupefaction. He stood
erect, looking about. telling himself
that the noise resembled as much as
anything the hushed cry of a child
sobbing in sleep, soft and infinitely
pathetic. Unable to assign its source
elsewhere, he attributed it to the
stricken man at his feet; and in a des-
perata hope that the pulse of life
might still linger III Sypher's body. he
knelt. withdrew the knife, turned the
corpse upon its back. and laid his ear
to its breast, above the heart. Be-
yond dispute, Syp5er was dead.
Poor divvlei" nsuttered the Irish
man. THE Pool of Flame!