The Sentinel=record., 1914-10-25

ton breaking his way INTO the HOuo0
of Seneca Urine through the area win
dows and basement.
In this nefarious business nothing
hindered and none opposed him. But
for a single lighted window in the up
per tier (but not, he noted, the windo"
to Roses bedchamberl and one or TWO
lights which he found burning dim in
the kitchen offices and other servants
quarters on she lower floor he would
have thought the house empty. The
silence of an abandoned place In
formed 1t all-below the upper story
But he was not to be satisfied with
such negative evidence: he explored
the dwelling minutely, room by room,
story by story, passing with little in
terest through apartments by every
sign dedicated to the tendency OF his
mortal enemy, intent on one object
only-to find Rose Urine, that one
woman whom he loved, or else make
sure she was not there.
He negotiated that last flight of
! steps which led to the topmost floor
! with extraordinary stealth, advised
thereto by a sound, or rather a series
of sustained sounds, which had there
| tofore been inaudible to him. Possibly
| they had not till then existed; possibly
the man servant whom he found snor-
ing IN chair outside a closed door
had not fallen asleep and begun to
snore until the moment when Alan set
foot upon the lower step of that final
ascent.
Turning the head of the stairs,
Alan paused for little, speculatiyely
intent on this man who must somehow
be disposed of before he might solve
the secret of that shut and guarded
door.
Aside from actual violence no solu-
ton offered to the puzzle-and VIC
lence was abruptly forced upon him.
No sound warned him of the door
that opened at his back as he stood
watching the sleeping guard. A pierre
ing shrek was the first intimation he
received that his presence had been
discovered. 1t served as we'll to move
him instantly into action a single
glance overshoulder showed him the
figure of a maid-servant in cap and
gown, her mouth still wide and full OF
sound-and Alan fell upon the guard
like a thunderbolt. The man had
barely time to jump up and recognize
the alarm: then a fist caught him on
the point of his jaw, and he returned
promptly to deep Inconsistencies.
No time now for qualms of com
junction on account Of the savage
ruthlessness of that blow: no time
even to search the fellow for key tC
the closed door: already the maid was
taking the stairs in full fight and cry
four steps and howl like a warlock's
to every jump.
Backing off, Alan took a short run
cleared the PROSTATE body of the guarC
with a leap, and flung himself full
force against the door, his shoulde
striking a point nearest the lock. Witt
a splintering crash it broke inward
Without dignity or decorum b,
sprawled on all fours into the presenc,
of Judith Urine.
Poor Mr.. Law!" she cried, with
mocking nod, always disappointed
I'm so sorry-truly ami"
"Oh, spare me your sarcasm" hi
begged resentfully Its ridiculou
enough. this whole mad business"
but l am not sarcastic" she insist
ed with such sincerity that he openet
his eyes in wonder. Believe me,
am sorry for once 1t is and not Ros
whom you find locked up here! For
you see, | am locked up, by way o
Observation-Disclosures to my having ha,
pity on you once too often-while m,
father decamps mysteriously for part
unknown"
you don't know where he's gone
them"
do your" she asked sharply.
I'm a general way. BY special trail
to the West"
Taking Rose?"
$50 I'm told"
The woman choked upon her anger
but quickly mastered it.
He shah pay for this!" she asseyer
ated.
Your father? l wish him nothin,
more nor less than your enmity," Alal
assured her civilly. but since i
seems that he has gone, and Rose Will
him; If you'll forgive me, think II
be going"
"Alone?"
That one word, uttered with all tn,
significance that this woman knew So
well how to infuse into her tone
checked him suspiciously on tn,
threshold.
"Why-yes"
You wouldn't care for companion
du voyage?" she suggested.
"Oh-really!" he protested.
She held up an arresting hand. Ills
ten!" she begged.
FROM the street below came the un
mistakable rattle of a policeman's 10
Gust on the sidewalk.
That damned maid" Alan OWNED
thoughtfully.
Inc same" Judith agreed with
ominous calm. HAS it struck you thai
you may have some trouble gettine