Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-04-02

wv" 'aN' " NAsShs
"All right" Godfrey said. But TIL
fix this break"
He got out his p%enknife. loosened
two or three of the staples which held
the wire In place. drew it out. scraped
back the insulation and twisted the
ends tightly together
There" be added. that's done. II
the invader hampers with the window
again he will set off the alarm. But
| don't believe he'll touch it. fancy
he already knows. his little game is
discovered"
How would he know it," / demand
ed incredulouSly
IF he is Keeping an eye on his Will
dow. us he naturally would do. he has
seen my light Perhaps he is watch
ing MS now. Now for the cabinet"
He led the way back upstairs.
Rogers was still sitting dejectedly on
the cot. and, looking at him more
closely, | could see that he was white
and shaken.
Have you anything to tell us this
evening. Rogers?" | asked kindly. But
he only shook his head.
1--WE told You everything | know.
sir" he answered in Il low voice.
"Well,' | added briskly. "l'll have to
ask you to get up. Move the cot away
from the door, Parks
Parks obeved me With astonished
face.
You're not going in there, sir" he
protested as l turned the knob.
YES. we are" l said, and opened the
door. 'Is-is"-
mo. sir" broke in Parks, under
the coffin and put him in it and moved
him over to the drawing room this aft
ernoon, sir"
I'm glad of that. | want all the
lights lit, Parks. just as they were last
night"
Parks reached inside the door and
switched on the electrics. Then ne
went away, came back in a moment
with a taper and proceeded to light
the gas lights. A moment later the
lights in the inner room were also blaz-
ing.
There you are. sir" said Parks. and
retreated to the door. will you need
me?"
mot now. But wait In the hall out
side. We may need you"
| led the way into the inner room.
well there it is" | said. and nod
ded toward the Boule cabinet. ut isn't
too late to give it up. Godfrey"
"Oh. yes. it s." he said coolly, re-
moving his coat. 1T was too late the
moment you told me that story. Why.
Lester. if ! gave it up l should never
sleep again! Draw up a chair and
watch me-"
He pulled back his shirt sleeves and
placed his electric torch on the floor
beside the cabinet. Then he paused
with folded arms to contemplate this
masterpiece Of NJ. Boule.
ut is q beauty" be said at last. and
then drew out the little drawers, one
after another. looked them owe and
placed them carefully on a chair.
"Now," he added, "let us see if there
is any space that isn't accounted for"
He took from his pocket a folding
rule Of ivory. opened it and began a
series of measurements so searching
and intricate that half an hour passed
without a word being spoken. Then
he pulled up another chair and sat
down beside me.
II seem to be pretty much up against
it." he said. mo doubt just as the de-
signer of the cabinet would wish me to
be. The whole bottom Of the desk is
incloSed. and those three little drawers
Then the back OF the cabinet seems to
be double-at least. there's a space of
three inches | can't account for. So
there's room for a dozen secret draw
ers, if the Montespan required so many.
And now to find the combination"
He adjusted the steel gauntlet care
fully to his right hand and sat down
on the floor before the cabinet.
"Pll begin at the BOTTOM be said.
IF there is any spot l miss. tell me
Of it."
He ran his fingers up and down the
graceful legs. carefully feeling every
inequality Of the elaborate bronze or
namentation. Then he examined the
bottom Of the table infinitely. using his
torch to illumine every c~revice. but
again without result.
Another half hour passed so, and
when at last he came out from under
the table his face was dripping with
sweat.
ITS trying work." be said, sitting
down again and hopping his face.
But isn't it a beauty, Lester? The
more look at it the more wonderful it
seems"
I'D point out one thing to you, God
frey" | said. IF you go on poking
about with the fingers Of both hands,
as you've been doing. you are just as
apt to get struck on the left hand as
on the right"
."That'S true" no apraad "Ston ma