Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-04-08

to the wind and rain, but tenanted
visibIy by one, at least, who lounged
beneath the lonely lamp-post. o shout
der against it-a featureless civilian
silhouette with attention fixed on the
little house.
But Lanyard didn't doubt that this
one had dozen fellows skulking with
in call.
Springing up the stairs, he paused
prudently at the topmost step, one
quick glance showing him the huge
rent gaping black in the middle of the
skylight, the second the missile of de-
struction lying amid litter of broken
glass-a brick wrapped in newspaper
by the look of it.
Swooping forward, he retrieved this
and darted back from the exposed
space beneath the shattered skylight
barely in the nick of time, for he had
no more than cleared the threshold
than a second something fell through
the gap and buried itself in the hard
wood parquetry. This last was a bull
let fired from the roof of one Of the
adjoining buildings, confirming his
prior reasoning that the first missile
must have fallen from a height rather
than have been thrown up from the
SlTSSI W WICdh 6uCn uOStIuCtlO Will
those tough, thick panes of clouded
glass
Swearing softly to himself, he de-
scended to the kitchen.
"As I thought" he said coolly, ex-
hibiting his find. They're on the roof
of the next house-though they've sta
toned a sentry in the street, of
course"
But that second thump-" the girl
demanded.
"a bullet" he answered, placing the
bundle on the table and cutting the
string that bound it.
But what are we to do now?" she
stammered. IF they've surrounded
the house"
Don't worry-there's more than one
way out" he responded. frowning at
the newspaper; Il wouldn't have
picked this place out otherwise. Nor
would Scion have rented it in the first
instance had it lacked an exit in event
of creditors. Although sol"
"What-'
''Troyon's is gone" he said, without
looking up. This is tonight's Presse.
Totally destroyed by fire which start
ed at six thirty this morning and in
less than half an hour had reduced the
ancient structure to heap of smoking
| ashes'!" He ran his eye quickly down
| the column, selecting salient phrases:
Believed to have been of incendiary
| origin, though the premises were unin-
sured-that's an Intelligent guess!
| Marrow escape of guests in their
| whatyemaycallems. Three lives be-
heved to have been 1ost-one body re-
covered. charred almost beyond recog-
nition'-Roddy's, of course-poor
devil! Two guests missing, M Lam
yard, the wellknown connoisseur of
art, who occupied the room adjoining
that of the unfortunate detective, and
| Mile. Bannon, daughter of the Ameri-
can millionaire, who himself escaped
only by a miracle with his secretary,
M. Greggs, the latter being overcome
by fumes'-what a shame! Police and
| f1remen searching the ruins'-h-m,
h-m-'extraordinary interest manifest
ed by the prefecture indicates a suspi-
cion that the building may have been
fred to conceal some crime of a po-
/ litical nature"
hands Lanyard tossed it into a corner
What was written on the paper?"
the girl demanded obliquely.
He made his eyes blank. written
on the paper"
'I saw something in red ink at the
head of the column. You tried to hide
it from me, but 1 saw. What was it?''
"Oh-that!" He laughed contemptu-
ously. Just Popinot's impudence-an
invitation to come out and be good
target
He shrugged himself into his Dor
rowed raincoat, buttoned it to his chin,
and turned down the brim of his soft
felt hat; but when he looked UP at the
girl again he found she hadn't moved !;
rather, she remained as one spellbound
by thought, staring less at than
through him, her expression inscruta-
BILE
We'll" he ventured-"if you're quite
ready, Miss Shannon"
Mr.. Lanyard" she demanded al
most sharply, what was the full word
ing of that message?"
IF you must know"
81 musti"
He lifted q depreciative shoulder.
III you like, I'll read it to you-or,
rather translate 1t from the thieves
argot Popinot complimented me by
using"
Not necessary" she said tersely.
| I'll take your word for it But you
must tell me the truth"
As you will. Popinot delicately
: suggested that If leave you here. tc