Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-03-06
CHAPTER X.

Magee's ear:
II amt one to complain" he said
"Livin' alone as much as 1 do I've sort
of got out of the habit, having no.
body to complain to. But If folks
keep coming and coming to this ho-
tel, I've got to resign as cook. Seems
as though every few minutes there's
new face at the table, and it's vital
matter TO me"
Cheer up, Peters" whispered Mr.
Magee. There are only two more
keys to the inn. There will be a
limit to our guests"
What I'm getting at is" replied
Mr.. Peters, there's a limit to my en-
durance."
Mr.. Bland came down stairs. His
face was very pale as he took his
seat. but in reply to Cargan's ques-
ton he remarked that he must have
been mistaken.
1T was the wind. I guess" he said.
MIR. Peters shortly bade the com.
pany goodby for the night. When
he had started off through the snow
for his shack, Mr.. Cargan took out
his watch.
you've been pretty kind to us poor
wanderers already" he said. Il got
one more favor to ask. 1 come UP
here to see Mr.. Bland. We got some
business to transact, and we'd consid-
er it a great kindness if you was to
leave us alone here in the office"
Mr.. Magee hesitated. He saw the
girl nod her head slightly and move
toward the stairs.
Certainly, if you wish," he said.
Il hope you won't go without saying
goodby. Mr.. Cargan."
THAT all depends" replied the
mayor. I've enjoyed knowing you
one and ALL Good night.
The women. the professor and Mr.
Magee moved up the broad stairway
On the landing Mr.. Magee heard the
voice of Mrs. Norton somewhere in
the darkness ahead.
I'm worried, dearie-real wor-
ried."
"Hush!" came the girls voice,
Mr.. Magee-well meet again-soon.
Mr.. Magee seized the professors
arm. and together they stood in the
shadows.
"I don't like the looks Of things,
came BANDS hoarse complaint from
below. What time is it?''
"Seven-thirty, Cargan answered;
"a good half hour yet"
There was somebody on the sec
ond floor when / went up" Bland con-
tinued IT saw him ruT into one of
the rooms and lock the door"
I've got charge now" the mayor
reassured him. Don't you worry"
There's something doing" This
seemed to be Max's voice.
There sure is" laughed Cargan.
But what do 1 care? I own young
Drayton. / put him where he is.
amt afraid. Let the gumshoe round
as much as they want to. They can't
touch me-"
Maybe not" said Bland. But
Baldpate inn amt the grand idea 1t
looked at first, is t?"
ITS h of an ideal" answered
Cargan. There wasn't any need of
all this folderol. I told Hayden so,
Does that phone ring?"
NO; it'll just flash a light when
they want u.s." Bland told them.
Mr.. Magee and Professor Bolton
continued softly up the stairs, and in
answer to the formers invitation, the
old man entered No. :.
1T is an amazing tangle." he re-
marked. lin which we are involved. ]
have no idea what your place is in the
scheme Of things up here. But I as
sumo you grasp what is going on, il
| do not"
IF you think" answered Magee,
proffering u cigar, that / am in on
this little game of who's who,' then
YOU are vastly mistaken
The professor smiled.
Indeed" he said in a tone that
showed his unbelief. Indeed"
He was deep in a discussion of the
meters of the poet Chaucer when
there came a knock at the door and
Mr.. Lou Max's unpleasant head was
thrust inside.
II been assigned" he said, Ito sit
up here in the hall and keep an eye
out for the ghost Bland heard tramp
ing about. And being Of a sociable
nature. I'd like to sit in your door
way, if you don't mind"
by all means replied Magee
Here's a chair. Do you smoke"
Thanks" Mr.. Max placed the
chair sidewise in the doorway of No
and sat down. From his place he
commanded view of Mr.. Magee's
apartments and of the head of the
stairs. With his yellow teeth he
viciously bit the end from the cigar
Don't let me interrupt the conver-
sation. gentlemen" he pleaded.
we were speaking" said the pro-
fessor calmly. "of the versifcation OF
Chaucer. Mr.. Magee"-
He continued his discussion i'm ar
even voice. Mr.. Magee leaned back
in his chair and smiled in pleasant
way at the setting of the stage-Mr
Max in cloud of smoke on guard al
his door, the mayor and Mr. Bland
keeping vigil by telephone switch
board in the office below, watching
for the flash of light that should tel
them some one in the outside world
wanted to speak to Baldpate inn; 8
mysterious figure who fitted in the
dark: beautiful girl who was go.