River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-03-02

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
street to wreak such destruction with
those tough, thick panes OF clouded
glass.
Swearing softly to himself, he de-
scended to the kitchen.
CAS- 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; q 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-
lieved to have been lost-one body re-
covered, charred almost beyond recog-
nition-Roddy's, of course-poor
devil! Two guests missing, M. Ian
yard, the well-known 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 miracle with his secretary,
M. Greggs, the latter being overcome
by fumes-what a shame! Police and
f1remen searching the ruins'-h-m,
extraordinary interest manifest
ed by the prefecture indicates a suspi-
cion that the building may have been
fired to conceal some crime of a. po~
litical nature"
Crushing the newspaper between his
hands Lanyard tossed it into corner,
What was written on the paper?"
the girl demanded obliQueIy.
He made his eyes blank. written
on the paper"
It saw something in red ink at the
head Of the column. You tried to hide
it from me, but saw. What was it"
"Oh-that!" He laughed contemptu-
ously. Just Popinot's impudence-an
invitation to come out and be good
target"
lie S11I uSS6u ulu1SGA 1uLU LIS JUL
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.
Well 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"
II must!"
He lifted a depreciative shoulder.
IF you like, I'll read it to you-or,
rather translate it from the thieves
argot Popinot complimented rue by
using"
mot necessary" she said tersely.
I'll take your word for it. But you
must tell me the truth"
CAS- you will. Popinot delicately
suggested that il leave you here, to
be reunited to your alleged parent
IL I'll trust to his word of honor, that
il, and walk out Of the house alone,