The Monticellonian., 1915-07-01

even to exclaim, tore the envelope open and examined the contents.
 Inside was another envelope. opened that. It contained merely a blank piece of paper!
 With characteristic skill at cover. ing his tracks Bennett had also GOV. cred his money.
 Huh" l snorted to myself, "con- found him."
 l threw the paper into a wire bas- ket on the desk and went on sorting the other stuff Kennedy had by this time finished unpacking the box and was examining bottle which he had taken from it Come here, Walter" he called at length. Ever see anything like that?t'
 T cant say" I confessed. getting up to go to him. What is il? ?"
 Bring piece of paper" ne added.
 went back to the desk where I had been working and looked about hasti- ly. My eye fell on the blank sheet of paper which l had taken from Ben nett's envelope, and I picked it up from the basket
 Here's one" I said, handing it to him. What are you doing?'
 Kennedy did not answer directly, but began to treat the paper with the liquid from the bottle. Then he light. ed a Bunsen burner and thrust the paper into the flame The paper did not burni
 "A new system of fireproofng," :" laughed Craig, enjoying my astonish- ment.
 He continued to hold the paper in the flame Still it did not burn.
 See" he went on, withdrawing it and starting to explain the proper ties of the new fireproofer
 He had scarcely begun when he stopped in surprise. He had happened to glance at the paper again. bent over to examine it more intently and was now looking at it in surprise
 I looked also. There, clearly dis cernible on the paper, was a small part of what looked like an architects drawing of fireplace
 Craig looked up at me, nonplused Where did you say you got that?" he asked
 Tt was a blank piece of paper among Bennett's effects" I returned as mystified as he.
 Kennedy said nothing, but thrust the paper back again into the flame Slowly the heat of the burner seemed to bring out the complete drawing of the fireplace.
 We looked at it. even more mysti- fled. .sWhat is it, do you suppose?" I queried.
 T think" he replied slowly. that it was drawn with sympathetic ink. The heat of the burner brought it out into sight.
 What about it?
 
 Elaine had gone to bed that night at Aunt Tabby's in the room which her old nurse had fixed up especially for her.
 Downstairs, in the living room, Rusty also was asleep, his nose be- tween his paws
 The living room was in keeping with everything at Aunt Tabby's. plain, neat, homelike. On one side was large fireplace that gave to it an air of hospitality.
 Suddenly Rusty woke up, his ears pointed at this fireplace. He stood a moment listening, then, with bark of alarm he sped swiftly from the living room up the stairs at bound until he came to Elaine's room.
 Elaine felt his cold nose at her hand and stirred. then awoke.
 What is 1t, Rusty?" she asked mindful of the former days when Rusty gave warning of the Clutching Hand and his emissaries.
 Rusty wagged his tail. Something was wrong.
 Elaine followed him down to the liv ing room. She went over and lighted the electric lamp on the table, then turned to Rusty.
 " 0its iNdats ShG i0p1aA1dt dAiiO9N as if he was human.
 She had no need to repeat the ques- tion. Rusty was looking straight at the fireplace.
 Elaine listened. Sure enough, she heard strange noises Was that Aunt Tabby's Haunt 9" Whatever it was, it sounded as if it came up from the very depths of the earth.
 She continued to listen in wonder, then ran to Aunt Tabby's bedroom door on the first floor, and knocked.
 Aunt Tabby woke up and shook Joshua
 Aunt Tabby! Aunt Tabby!" called Elaine.
 Yes, my dear" answered the old nurse, now fully awake and straight ening her cap. "Joshua!"
 Together the old couple came out into the living room, still in their nightelothes, Joshua yawning sleep fly.
 Around and around the room they walked. still trying to locate the strange sounds.
 Finally Joshua went to table drawer and opened it. He took out a huge. murderouSlooking revolver.
 Here. Miss Elaine he urged press