The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-02-14
Continued from page q,

IL IL natural that Jacksor
should consider his own reputation A.
THIS anair. That is all, Jackson: vor
may go now" '''
~ was half an hour afterwards
wnen the end of breakfast had dis
persed the party. that spoke to Peace
ABOUT II. Offering to go to London nv.
sell and do my best to carry out hi,
instructions.
Il had bad luck in my call for vol
unteers," he said.
Il should have thought they would
nave been glad enough to gG the
cuance OF work. They can find nc
particular amusement In loafing about
the place all day"
doubtless they all had excellent
reasons" he said with a smile. "Bui
anyway, you cannot be spared. Mr.
Phillips"
You hatter me-"
Il want you to stay in your he'd.
room. Write, read. do what you like
out Keep your door ajar. II anyone
passes down the corridor, see where
ne goes, only don't let him know that
you are watching him II you can heir
II. l Will take my turn at half-past
one. don't mean to starve YOU"
obeyed. After all, it was. in
manner, promotion that the Inspector
mad given me; yet it was a tedious
anxious time. No one came my way
barring sour-looking housemaid. ]
tried to argue out the case, but the
deeper l got the more conflicting grew
my theories. was never more glad
TO see friendly face than when the
little man came in upon me.
The short winters afternoon crept
on, the Inspector and taking turn and
turn about In our sentry duty. Dinner
time came and went. I had been of
duty from nine, but at ten-thirty
poured out whisky and soda and
went back to join him. He was sit
ting in the middle of the room smok
ing a pipe in great apparent satisfac
ton.
BED time, isn't it," grumbled,
smiling at his strong tobacco.
"Oh, no." he said. 1.-THE fact is, we
are going to sit up all night"
l threw myself on a couch by the
window without reply Perhaps was
not in the best Of tempers; certainly
[ did not feel so.
'You insisted on coming down with
me-" he suggested.
IL know all about that" I told him.
81 haven't complained, have 1? If you
want me to shut myself up for a week
I'll do it.; but l should prefer to have
some idea of the reason why"
81 don't wish to create mysteries,
Mr.. Phillips" he said kindly; "but, be-
lieve me, there is nothing to be gained
in vague discussions"
I knew that settled 1t as far as he
was concerned, so nodded my head
and filed pipe. At eleven he walked
across the room and switched off the
light.
IF nothing happens, you can take
your turn in four hours from now" he
said. 'In the meanwhile get to sleep.
l will keep the first watch"
I shut my eyes; but there was no
rest in me that night. lay listening
to the silence of the old house with a
dull speculation. Somewhere far down
In the lower floor great gong.like
clock chimed the hours and quarters
/ heard them every one from twelve
to one, from one to two. Peace had
stopped smoking He sat as silent as
a cat at a mousehole.
I 1t must have been some fifteen min.
utes after two that l heard the faint,
faint creak of a board in the corridor
outside. l sat up, every nerve strung
to a tense alertness. And then there
came a sound l knew well, the soft
drawing touch of hand cropping In
the darkness as some one felt his way
along the panelled walls. 1t passed
us and was gone. Yet Peace never
moved. Could he have fallen asleep
1 whispered his name.
"Hush!"
The answer came to me like gen
tie sigh.
One minute, two minutes more and
the room sprang into sight under the
glow of an electric hand-lamp. The in
spector rose from his seat and slid
through the door, with me upon his
heels. The light he carried searched
the clustered shadows; but the CORR
dor was empty, nor was there any
place where a man might hide.
"You waited too long," I whispered
impatiently.
The man is no fool, Mr.. Phillips
Do you imagine that he was not listen
ing. and staring like hunted beast
A noisy board, stumble, or flash OF
light. and We should have wasted a tir
ing day."
Nevertheless he has got clear
away"
'I'think not"
AS we crept forward I saw that
strip of the oak flooring along the
walls was gray with dust. IL 1t had
been in such a neglected state in the
afternoon I should surely have noticed
A. Tn some curiosity stopped to ex'
anime the phenomenon.
"Flour." whispered the little man
touching my shoulder.
Flour"
Eyes. | sprinkled it myself. LOOK