The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1916-03-02

The chief shrugged his fat shoul-
ders.
My dear Miss Helen" he reioined
with the air of Difference that marked
all his discourse, the footsteps alone
are relatively unimportant Here's
the point; of what are they mani
festation? What do they mean? That's
what you are supposed to discover.
Besides, p. D. Davenant as head Of
the Transportation and Trust com
pany, is one Of our most valued
clients: be must be humored. If his
invalid wife faneiss the house is
haunted and he believes we can lay
the ghost, why. it's up 10 Us 10 do it
"Chief. please tell ne specifically
what is expected OF ne dislike set
ing in the dark; it is like trying 10
travel q strange road blindfolded-"
Helen Bertel was one of the most
capable operatives Of the Sutherland
Detective agency. and the relationship
between herself and her principals
was correspondingly close and conf
Dental. While her chief pondered
heavily she sat motionless and silent
her handsome gray eyes. half yelled
by their long dark lashes. steadily
watching him.
Presently the chief reused himself
and fastened his regard upon her once
more.
Here is the situation as Mr.. Dave
nant made me understand it, he be-
gan. For more than a year Mrs.
Dayenant has been on the verge of
nervous breakdown, and something
like. six months ago she went to a
place belonging to her-down among
the hills near Lambeth, where ! want
you TO go-hoping to benefit by the
quiet From what Dayenant says it is
quiet enough; there's nothing else
there. It's an old stone house over
looking the Illinois river, away off
from any main travelled road, and with
no near neighbors; an isolated,
gloomy, cherries spot, gathered
She is alone there except for an old
woman servant who was with her be-
fore she and Dayenant married
During the past six or seven
months Mrs. Davenant has been the
victim of what her husband. for a
time, thought was merely a peculiar
hallucination. Every night-no, not
every night. but frequently-she hears
strange footsteps in the house, Their
source has not hsen asoertained and
they have the effect of terrifyin - DID,
TO the verge of hysteria. She is i'll
for days after every visitation
The girls relaxation all at once was
erased by energy and resolution.
when do you want me to start?"
she asked decisively. I'm already
packed" and she indicated travelling
bag and suitcase over near the door.
You may suit your own conven-
ience"-the chief was no martinez with
Miss Bertel-"but Mr.. Davenant, of
course. wants the mystery cleared up
as soon as possible"
'I'll go at once. then. If you don't
mind, I'll take one of the machines
the new roadster, by preference.
may have use for it later on"
You are welcome, Miss Bertel; help
yourself. But first go get the best din
.ner you can find in Chicago and charge
it to expenses; you need to be forti-
fled against the long ride. All,
and by the way, don't forget that Mrs.
'Davenant will regard you merely as a
companion The idea of detectives
presence in the house doubtless would
be repugnant TO her. possibly alarming
in her nervous state, and the object
Of your errand be defeated
Il understand" returned the girl
She gathered up her traveling-bag
and suitcase, carrying them as cas-
lily as if they were empty. With a
brief word of farewell, she passed out
and walked down the long hall to a
door opening upon a front room, a
room. past whose windows the ele-
waited railroad roared all day and all
night. Here, a tall. loose-j ointed man
with a keen, hawk-like visage was
working at desk beneath shaded
electric drop. Before him was high
power microscope and a pantagraph
and several large sheets Of bristol
board upon which were drawn, in in
dia-ink, engagements OF various let
tiers in script. The desk was Uttered
with papers. The mans hair was
rumpled and he had the appearance
of one who has been absorbed for
hours in an engrossing task
The girl raped lightly and entered.
why this fine frenzy. Felix" she
said softly.
The man looked up quickly, his
DARK, intense eyes agleam.
by jimminy crickets.r he ex-
claimed, 1T isn't a forgery"
What isnt?" calmly asked Helen.
Felix Hazard dipped a cancelled
check across the desk toward her.
THE signature is all right" he sup
plemented, but the check has been
raised"
Setting down suitcase and bag, she
advanced and picked up the question
able sip. Beneath the light she scru-
tinized it moment. Next instant she
was regarding Hazard with a steady.
speculative stare
The signature which he so conf
IDENTIFY declared not to be forgery
was tina; OF P D. DaTanant
Helen did not begin by overwhelm-
ing Hazard with questions, Instead
she first revealed her interest by tell
-eerr-,r-,.rt aud