The Ordway new era., 1914-12-04
THE TREY O'HEARTS
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THE TREY O'HEARIS
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Of seneca Thine through the area WIN
dows and basement.
In this nefartous business nothing
hindered and none opposed him. But
for a single lighted window in the up
per tier (but not, he noted. the window
to Roses bedchamber) and one or two
hghts which he found burning dim in
the kitchen omces and other servants
quarters on the lower door he would
have thought the house empty. The
silence Of an abandoned place In
formed It all-below the upper story.
But he was not to be satisfied with
such negative evidence: he explored
the dwslling infinitely, 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
ouly-to nnd 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
/
thereto by . sound. or rather . 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 q chair outside closed door
had not faAen asleep and begun to
snore until the moment when Alan set
foot upon the lower step Of that fnal
ascent.
Turning the head o; the stairs.
Alan paused for little. speculatively
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-
tion offered to the puzzle-and vto-
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: . single
| glance overshoulder showed him the
| figure of = maid-servant In cap and
gown, her mouth still wide and full of
sound-and Alan fell upon the guard
like q thunderbolt. The man had
barely time to jump up and recognise
the alarm: then . 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
\ ruthlsssness Of that blow: NO time
| even to search the fellow for key to
| the closed door: already the maid was
| taking the stairs in full flight and cry.
| four steps and . howl like . warlock's
TO every jump.
Backing OF, Alan took . short run.
cleared the prostrate body Of the guard
with . leap. and fung himself full
force against the door. his shoulder
striking . point nearest the lock. With
l . splintering crash II broke inward.
Without dignity or dscorum he
sprawled ON all fours into the presence
Of Judith Trine.
"Poor Mr.. Lawi" she cried. with .
mocking nod. always disappointed!
I'm 20 sorry-truly ami"
"Oh, spare mo your sarcasm." he
begged resentfully. ITS ridiculous
enough. this whole mad business"
But am not sarcastic" she insist.
ed with such sincerity that he opened
his eyes in wonder. Believe me,
am sorry for once It II and not Rose
whom you nnd locked up here! For.
you see. am locked up. by way of
punishment-thanks to my having had
pity ON you once too often-while my
father decamps mysteriously for parts
unknown"
"You don't know where he's gone.
then3"
DO your" she asked sharply.
I'm general way. BY special train
to the West"
Taking Rosef"
80 I'm told"
The woman choked upon her anger.
but quickly mastered 1t.
HE shall pay for thai" she assever.
ated.
"Your father1 I wish him nothing
more nor less than your enmity," Alan
assured her civilly. But since 1t
seems that he has gone. and Rose with
him. II you'll forgive ME. think III
be going"
"Alonef"
That one word. uttered with all the
Significance that this woman knew 80
well how to infuse into her tone.
checked him suspiciously on the
threshold.
"Why-yes."
you wouldn't care for . companion
du voyage?" she suggested.
"Oh-really!" he protested.
She held up an arTesting hand. Lis
ten!" she begged.
From the street below came the un-
mistakable rattle Of policeman's 10
Gust on the sidewalk.
That damned maid" Alan OWNED
thoushtfully.