The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1915-02-17
ton breaking his way into the house
CT Seneca Urine through the area win

In this nefarlOus 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
lights which he found burning dim in
the kitchen Offices and other servants
quarters on the lower floor 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 dwelling 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
only-to find Rose Urine, that one
woman whom he loved, or else make
sure she was not there.
He negotiated that last fight of
steps which led to the topmost floor
with extraordinary stealth, advised
thereto by sound, or rather a 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
ng. in a chair outside closed door
had not fallen asleep and begun to
snore until the moment when Alan set
loot upon the lower step of that final
ascent.
Turning the head of the stairs
lot xrnl
| 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-
| ton offered to the puzzle-and vio-
Ience 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. It served as well to move
him instantly into action: a single
| glance overshoulder showed him the
| figure of a maid-servant in cap and
gown, her mouth still wide and full of
southland Alan fell upon the guard
like a tnunderbolt. The man had
barely time to jump up and recognize
the alarm: then a 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
ruthlessness 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 fight and cry,
four steps and howl like a warlock' 8
to every jump.
Backing off, Alan took short run,
cleared the PROSTATE body of the guard
with leap, and flung himself full
force against the door, his shoulder
striking a point nearest the lock. With
splintering crash it broke inward.
Without dignity or. decorum he
sprawled on all tours into the presence
of Judith Urine.
Poor Mr.. Law!" she cried, with a
hooking nod, always disappointed!
I'm so sorry-truly ] ami"
| OI, spare lu0 YOUR SdTCdSm, liz
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 is | and not Rose
whom you find 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,
them"
DO you?" she asked sharply.
in general way. BY special train
to the West
Taking Rose?"
so I'm told"
The woman choked upon her anger,
but quickly mastered it.
He shall pay for this!" she assever.
ated
Your father? | wish him nothing
more nor less than your enmity," Alan
assured her civilly. But since it
seems that he has gone, and Rose with
him, if you'll forgive me, think I'll
be going"
"Alone?"
That one word, uttered with all the
significance that this woman knew so
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 arresting hand. "Lis-
ten!" she begged
From the street below came the I'M
mistakable rattle of policeman's To-
Gust on the sidewalk.
THAT damned maid;" Alan OWNED
thoughtfully.
"The same" Judith agreed with
ominous calm. HAS it struck you that
you may have some trouble getting