Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-06-12
The Mysterious Monogram
BY HowandP Hockey
Copyright IVA

noticed a change in temperature. 1t
was much warmer than the air out
side. The place had smoky odor.
too, and in the far corner he saw
blackened stone with ashes scattered
over it. The fire was dead, but the
stone was still hot as he stopped down
to touch it. Apparently someone had
spent the night there and had only
recently left, although there was moth
ing else to indicate that the place had
been recently inhabited.
Satisfying himself that whoever
might have been there was not now
about, Cornish hurried back to Adele.
She was weary after the strain of the
night, but she smiled brightly when
he told her what he had found, and
at once arose to accompany him.
Once inside the hut, Adele made a
rude bed for Harcourt with the
greatcoats of the two men, while Cor
nish spread out Adele's slicker for her
to lie down upon.
Nov Pm going off to find the near
est village" he said when she had
stretched herslf out with a little
sigh. "I'll bring back a doctor if I
can find one, and I'm goin to tele-
graph to Sir Harry"
isn't that rather dangerous ?"
Adele asked apprehensively. Both
he and Mr.. Darlington are probably
being watched by the police in an
ticipation of just such a communica-
ton"
Cornish smiled. "Sir Harry can
read the message to MacBee himself
if he likes. When / find out where
we are I'll send him a message that
no one else can understand. I'll sign
any name that comes into my head
and Sir Harry will be on in a min
ute"
AS Cornish finished speaking, Har-
court stirred uneasily and murmurcd
something family. They bent over
him and Adele removed the bandage
from the wound.
at doesn't seem to be much of a
cut she said, examining it closely.
mo. The trouble is apparently in
side" Cornish answered. at looks
to me like fractured skull, in which
case there's no time to lose. I'm off
now" He handed his revolver to
Adele. YOU'D better have this" he
said. 81 don't imagine you'll have
the slightest use for it, but you'll feel
more comfortable with it, here alone.
As she took the weapon she smiled
confidently at him. Don't be anxious,
dad. shall be safe enough. | shan't
venture outside as someone might see
me if did"
When her father had gone she sat
for long time looking at Harcourt
He was quiet now and his pulse was
beating more evenly. Gradually as
she watched him drowsiness came
over her, and as the day frightened
she dropped off into a restless sleep
Several hours passed before she
awoke. Then, with a sudden start
and a sense of surprise and fear, she
sat up quickly. 1t was almost dark
in the little shanty, but through the
cracks in the rough boards she could
see the sunlight streaming in. A
vague sense of uneasiness gripped
her, and she reached out to grasp the
revolver at her side. She turned to
look at Harcourt, but he lay quietly
and she noticed the faint rise and fall
of his chest as he breathed evenly.
Although she listened intently, she
heard TO sound but the roar of the
sea and the faint rustling of the tall
grass about the hut. But somehow
She seemed to feel instinctively the
, presence of someone lurking. outside
: Cautiously she crept toward the
rude door and pushed it open a crack
holding the revolver tightly in her
) hand, ready for instant use. A pistol
) was familiar toy in her hand, and
} she had the confidence of knowing
, that she could use it well, but there
was no one within the range of hel
vision. Then, as her eyes dropped tc
, the sand before the door, she started
: violently and little tremor passed
through her tense body.
Drawing back hastily, she pulled
the door nearly shut and peered about
: its edge. There on the sand directly
2 in front of the shack were a mans
] tracks, and within reach of her hand
2 was the impression of great bare
2 foot.
She was positive they had not beer
there when she had entered with hel