The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-06-04

open ana examined the contents.
Inside was another envelope.
opened that. II contained merely a
blank piece of paper!
With characteristic skill at cover
ing his tracks Bennett had also COW
cred HIS money.
"Huh" / snorted to myself, con
found him."
/ 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
a bottle which he had taken from II.
Come here, Walter" he called at
length Ever see anything like
that?"
Il can't say" ! confessed, getting
up TO go TO him. what is it?"
Bring a piece of paper" ne added.
went back to the desk where had
been working and looked about hasti-
ly My eye fell on the blank sheet Of
paper which | had taken from Ben
nett's envelope, and l picked It up
from the basket.
Here's one" 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 burn!
"A new system of freproohng,"
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.
| 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.
1T was a blank piece of paper
among Benefits effects" / returned,
as mystiiied as he.
Kennedy said nothing, but thrust
The paper back again into the flame
Slowly the heat of the burner seemed
% bring out the complete drawing of
he fireplace.
We looked at it, even more mysti-
led. What is It, do you suppose?" I
lueried.
Il think" he replied slowly, that 1t |
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
It Aunt Tabby's in the room which
Ter old nurse had fixed up especially
or her.
Downstairs, in the living room,
rusty also was asleep, his nose be-
ween his paws.
The living room was in keeping
With everything at Aunt Tabby's,
lain, neat, homelike. On one side
vas a large fireplace that gave to it
n air of hospitality.
Cnddop1tT Du,4,y ,,roIro 49,, l.,
ointed at this fireplace. He stood a
1oment listening, then, with bark
f alarm he sped swiftly from the
wing room up the stairs at bound
ntil he came to Elaine's room.
Elaine felt his cold nose at her
and and stirred, then awoke.
What is it, Rusty?" she asked,
mindful of the former days when
usty gave warning of the Clutching
land and his emissaries.
Rusty wagged his tail. Something
as wrong.
Elaine followed him down to the liv-
lg room. She went over and lighted .
lie electric lamp on the table, then
lrned to Rusty.
well, Rusty?" she repeated, almost
} If he was human.
She had no need to repeat the ques !
on. Rusty was looking straight at
10 fireplace. {
Elaine listened. Sure enough, she
card strange noises. Was that Aunt {
abby's Haunt" Whatever it was,
sounded as if it came up from the
,ry depths of the earth. t
She continued to listen in wonder, {
en- ran to Aunt Tabby's bedroom
'or, on the first floor, and knocked. r
Aunt Tabby woke up and shook
shua. t
Aunt Tabby! Aunt Tabby!" called
aine. I
Yes, my DEAR" answered the old v
rse, now fully awake and straight S
ing her cap. "Joshua!"
Together the old couple came out p
to the living room, still in their II
ghtclothes, Joshua yawning sleep S
Around and around the room they
liked, still trying to locate the a
'ange sounds. S
Finally Joshua went to a table il
aver and opened it. He took out a
ge, murderous-looking revolver. Ii
aT