Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-10-28
CHAPTER vI.-(continued.)

lit was maybe twenty minutes after
that that the doorbell rung, n when
l opened the door, there was a woman
standing on the steps"
He stopped and swallowed once or
twice, as though his throat was dry,
and l say that his fingers We're twitch-
ing n~ervously.
Did you know her?" questioned
Grady.
Rogers loosened his collar with a con-
vulsive movement.
mo, sir. I'D never seen her BEFORE
he answered hoarsely.
Describe her"
Rogers closed his eyes, as though in
an effort of recollection.
"She Wore a heavy veil, sir, so that
[ couldn't see her very we'll; but the
first thing i noticed was her eyes-they
were so bright. they seemed to burn
| right through me. Her face looked
how red her lips were-I didn't like her
looks. sir. from the first"
"How was she drcssed?"
"In a lark own sir, cut so skinny
that 1 knowed she was French before
h spoke
"Ah!" SAT- Grady. She was French.
was she?'
Yes. sir; though she could speak
some English. She asked for Mr.. Van
tine. 1 told her Mr.. Vantine was busy.
And then she said something very fast
about how she must see him, and all
the time kept edging in n in, till
the first thing l moved she was inside
the door and then she just pulled the
door out of my hand and shut it. 1 ask
you, sir. is that the way a lady would
behave?"
NO" said Grady. IT dare say not.
But go ~ahead-and take your time"
Rogers had gained his self-conf1-
6anCQ and ho went ahead almost p1ihIV-
See here, madam says I, we've
xhad enough trouble here today with
Trenches. and if you don't get out
quietly. why, I'll have to put you out
81 must Mistaire Vangtine,' h
says, very fast. I must Mistaire Wang
tine. 1t is most necessarie that l see
Mistaire Vangtine.'
"'Then I'll ave to put you out says
I, and took hold of her arm. And at
that she screamed and jerked herself
away; and L grabbed her again, and
just then Mr.. Vantine opened the door
there and came est into the hall.
whats all this. Rogers" he says.
Who is this party?'
but before 1 could answer, that wild
cat had rushed over to him and began
to reel off a string of French SO fast
1 wondered 10Y she got her breath.
And Mr.. Vantine looked at her kind of
surprised at first. and then he got more
AllISIGSlcO, III llIiully IS dShSu IL IA
n shut the door, and that was the
last I saw of them"
You mean you didn't let the woman
out?" demanded Grady.
Eyes. sir, that's just what I mean. 1
thought If Mr.. Vantine wanted to talk
with her, we'll n good; that was his
business, not mine; so l went back to
the pantry to help the cook with the
silver, expecting to hear the bell every
minute. But the bell didn't ring, and
after maybe half an hour. 1 came out
in the hall again to see if the woman
had gone; and I walked past the door
Of this room but didn't near nothing;
and her I went on to the front door.
n was surprised to find it wasn't
latched.'
Maybe you hadn't latched it," sug-
gested Grady.
1T has snap lock, sir; when that
woman slammed it shut, 1 heard it
CATCH"
You're sure Of that?"
"Quite sure, sir"
What did you do then?"
II closed the door. sir, and
l felt uneasy, some way; and I
ening: but I couldn't hear nothing: and
then I tapped. but there wasn't no
answer; so I tapped louder, with my
heart somehow working right up into
my mouth. And still there wasn't no
answer. SO / just opened the door and
him."
Rogers stopped suddenly, and caught
at his throat again.
I'll be all right in a minute. SIR he
gasped. ut takes me this way some
times"
"No hurry Grady assured him. and
then. when his breath was coming
easier. What did you do then?''
II was so scared / couldn't scarcely
stand. sir; but I managed to get to the
foot OF the stairs and yell for Parks,
n he come running down-and that's
oil ! remember. sir"
THE woma wasn't here?"
mo. SIR"
Did you look through the rooms?'
mo. sir; when I found the front door
open. I knowed shed gone out. She
hadn't shut the door because she was
That sounds probable" agreed
Grady but what makes you think
well. sir" answered Rogers. slowly,
II guess I oughtn't to have said that:
but finding the door open that way,
and then coming on Mr.. Vantine sort
of upset mel didn't know Just what I
was saying"
You don't think q now, them"
questioned Grady, sharply.
IT don't know what to think, SIR"
you say o never saw the woman
bcfore?'
Never. SIR"
Had she ever been here before?"
II don't think 90, mir. The first thing
2 asked was IL this was where Mr..
Grady nodded.
Very good. Rogers" he said. 'Ill
next Would you know this woman If
lyon raw her again?
R0gers hesitated.