The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-11-06
THE ACCOMPLICE"
Bv FREDERICK TREVOR HILL

where l stood. l therefore moved out
of the shadow of the trees and stepped
toward the house. l soon discovered
that the part Of the roof which had
been hidden from my view presented
very much the same appearance as the
front. except that l could now see u
wing or annex of the house with Il
door leading into what might be the
kitchen. There was Il window be-
tween this door and the veranda, and
it occurred to me that an active person
might possibly make use OF the shut
terS in descending from the veranda
roof. To investigate this more closely
! moved forward. and in doing so
stepped III Il piece OF glass which
broke under M foot. and at the same
instant a startled exclamation sounded
almost in my ear.
Instinctivelyl tlattened myself against
the wall of the house. and rs l did so
the window beside me opened and Il
small piece of glass tinkled to the
ground.
Its nothing but bits of this broken
pane dropping out" answered a wom-
ans voice. ''If you don't get your
nerves under better control you'll do
a power Of mischief yet"
The speaker drew Il chair to the WIN
| dow and sat down facing me. l could
not see her. but had l stepped from
| the wall she would have instantly dis
! covered me.
Il don't want to do any mischief"
faltered the other voice. "All l want
is to be left alone"
well, you can't be left alone" re-
torted the first speaker. And you
won't be, so you might just as we'll
make up your mind not to be a silly
fool. There's nothing to be afraid Of"
"Oh, Miss Mapes! Do you really
think SOL"
Mapes? Where had l heard that
name? Instantly Gnbert's reference to
Miss Madeleine Mapes required to my
mind. This was the h%ousekeeper.
Il don't think it. l know it"
Miss Mapes' tone was ~domineering
but reassuring, and from the silence
which followed l began to hope that
the conversation had ended when the
nervous voice startled me again.
But if they ask me more than you
Think"
They won't" Miss Mapes asserted.
But if they do, all you AVE to say Is
that you don't know"
But l cant tell an untruth."
Cant you?" sneered the housekeep-
err. Then you're the only person l
ever met who couldn't
But not under oath, Miss Mapes,"
the other woma quavered. THAT'S a
crime"
well, murders a worse crime
Yes, but
You'll commit murder, Betty Field,
if you take to talking-nothing less
than murder. mark my words!"
The housekeeper's tone was fierce
and menacing, and l could almost see
the other woman tremble.
Suppose they should ask me If
ever saw it:'
They never did ask you that, did
they?'
NO, but the detective wanted to
NllON i Au CNSi SSNA AtA N"AAA -
blue cloth skirt
"Well, you never had
. mo, but l saw you with it, and
How do you know you did," Miss
Mapes interrupted sharply. "You saw
me with something in my hand
1T was in the furnace"
We'll, l don't care where it was
X-,,, I0,,'t lnnv- v.hncn II u.oS mr. Uha
it was, and nobody will find out thai
you saw anything unless you lose YOU
head and blurt it out. and if you dc
her blood will be upon you all the res
, of your life, and you'll never wash i
out with all your tears
& "Oh, Miss Mapes."
= "Oh. Miss Mape>, indeed" >neere,
the h~ousekeeper. "Work yourself int
a hystcrics-do. That's just the condi
Z ton they want you ill.,"
@ oh. please, Miss Mapes. You know
t I'd do anything to help, bat don't yo1
f think it would be safer to go back
d "Ies, if you're afraid to stay here
e but, for heavens sake, make up YOU
mind one way or the other"
g Twill you Gomez"
: Il: Indeed | will not. But YOU
II better start now if YOU want to I'll
d away. You haven't IL minute to lose.
"Oh, l can't. l daren't 90 withou
d you"
e Then stay and keep your mout
q shut"
X But if they ask YOU"
II '"They may ask and ask again, on
81 and all. and much good it may d
II EN-. | can take care of myself
II The sound of Il bell brought both w,
= men to their feet. and for II momel
!! there was deep silence. Then Mi,
u MapeS whispered:
n THAT'S BarStow'S man. | though
:. he'd come tonight. You stay here an
~ listen to what l say. III so to II
- door"
SlDDOSp n more quick Wittpu mn