The Washington herald., 1916-11-05

- ~ dI Luo ITOuI walk l0t1u1nB
~ UP to DR.. Montrose's River
dale house. He was bearer
of a message from his mother, in
viting Florence to an impromptu lit
tie dinner which Mrs. Clayton was
to give that evening at the Crest
Country Club.
As Clayton neared the house he
caught a glimpse Of Florence, play
ing with her kittens in the rose gar
den at the rear.
Taking advantage OF his position
as lifelong friend Of the Montroses.
he altered his course. Instead of
mounting the veranda steps. he
walked around the house, toward tho
garden, his footsteps noiseiess on tho
soft turf Of the lawn
But by the time he reached the
rose garden Florence had gathered UP
the armful of kittens and carried
them into the house by q rear door.
So Bob retraced his steps toward the
front veranda.
AS he passed by the long French
windows at the side he had an unL
obstructed view of the wide hallway
that ran the full length Of the lower
floor.
Idly. half consciously, he glanced
in. Then, his brow contracting, he
looked more closely. Some one was
standing-or, rather, crouching-at a
curtained doorway in the hall.
Clayton at once recognized thd
eavesdropper as Felix, DIR. MontA
roses manservant, although the serv4
ants back was toward him. Before
Bob could move on he saw a second
man walk into his range Of vision .
1t was DR.. Montrose himself, COM
ing into the hall from the adjoining
library. And 50 quietly did the doc
tor advance that he was at Felix's
elbow before the servant was aware
of his employers presence
Clayton saw Montrose's face darken
with indignation at sight Of Felix't
attitude of spying. Then he saw tho
doctor seize the servant roughly by
the shoulder and spin him about,
Montrose's lips were moving. Evil
IDENTIFY he was rebuking the man for
eavesdropping.
But Felix showed no fright or
shame at his detection He met DR..
Montrose's accusing glare with calm
eyes. A faint sneer twisted his pallid
lip corners.
AS the doctor ceased speaking Clay
ton saw Felix's mouth open in reply
He could not, Of course. hear the
servants words, which seemed brief
and concise-but he could note their
effect on the doctor.
Montrose's face went pale His
hand dropped from its grip Felix's
collar. He took a hasty steI back
ward. For an instant he and the
servant faced each other in tense
silence.
Then Felix, with an ironic half
smile, bowed and walked away. Dr.
Montrose stared after him in someI
thing very like abject terror for q
full minute.
Clayton suddenly realized that he
himself had been an onlooker at
something that did not in the least
concern him. He turned, to continue
his progress toward the front door.
And as he did SO he almost collided
with Layton Parrish.
He had not heard Parrish approach.
He did not know how long the de-
tective might have been standing
there at his side, nor how much Of
the tableau through the windows he
might have seen.
Good day, Mr.. Clayton" the de-
tective greeted Bob. II was starting
up the steps when saw you stand
ing here, with your mouth open. You
seemed so much interested in some
thing that thought I'd Join you to
enjoy the show, too. What's up?"
IT saw Felix-Dr. Montrose's sery-
ant, you know-listening at a door
way. The doctor caught him at Il
and started to call him down. Felix
turned on him and said something
that seemed to go through DR.. Mont
rose like knife. What do You make
of ft?'
IF ] knew what to make Of eyery-
thing that goes on in this queer old
house." slowly replied Parrish, as II
choosing his words with infinite care.
I'D know more than is good for any
square man to know, and I'd know a
lot more than was good for q few
other people to have me know"