Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-06-09

what began Baker, when Laid
laws grip on his arm stllled him,
go on out and say nothing" whis
pered Laldlaw, and the mystified host
meekly obeyed
As soon as they had left the gates OF
the estate Laldlaw spoke;
PUT out your lights, run the ma
chine into the field yonder, In the shad'
ow of the trees, then beat it back to
the house by the shortest cut. You'll
see something
sand the dinner engagement" was
Bakers only objection
Can go hang"
Five minutes later they stole through
the grape arDor and reached the kitch-
en- door.
"It's open," whispered Baker, though
locked 1t myself before we left!'
~ unlocked 1t so we could enter
quietly" confessed Laidaw. Come
now to the library, and think we can
lay Uncle Nicholas ghost Have you
got gum"
"In the drawer of my desk. Evident
ly you consider the ghost material
one" hazarded Baker.
"Just guess on my part"
They tiptoed through the utter dark
ness of the house, Baker leading the
way until they were within the velvet
blackness of the library.
Laidlaw locked the door and slipped
the key in his pocket. Baker had
found his revolver, and the two friends
CROPPED toward each other until they
met In front of the smolderlng fire.
Laidlaw leaned over and smothered
the embers with ashes.
where Is the light switch2" he whis-
pered.
Fright here, almost under my hand"
Switch ON the light when / tell you
and have your gun ready"
This Is pure melodrama," groaned
Baker. "Harkl What was thatT"
Laidlaw's hand gripped him into ST.
lence.
Somewhere near by, seemingly In the
room, came the creak Of Il board as II
under cautious tread.
Something moved behind the panel
ed walls Even the skeptlcal host
knew that It was not the sound of
scurrylng MICE
The sounds continued until they be-
came distinct footballs.
"Readyr' warned Laidlaw, crouchlng
forward and facing the left end of the
fireplace.
Bakers finger lowered over the but
ton.
There was creak as Of an opened
door and gust of cedar perfumed air.
And there was the indefnable feeling
that they were not alone In the room.
There was another presence In the H.
brary.
"Nowr' breathed Laidlaw, and In
stantly the room was flooded with light.
Bakers amazed eyes saw his friend
crouched forward. revolver In each
hand. The blue noses Of these weap-
Ons were covering two men, who stared
In absurd dismay while they reluctant
ly put up their hands Mt arms length
above their heads.
They were shifty eyed, evil faced
fellows, with 1.-THE, slender forms and
small hands and feet.
They cursed bitterly as Baker search |
ed them ana deprived them Of their |
weapons as well as two complete sets |
Of burglars tools.
The black eyed man rolled his eyes
flercely as Baker neatly tied his wrists |
and ankles with curtain cords. When
the same thing had been done for his |
companion Laldlaw lowered his guns |
and moved to the telephone.
"Pll Just call up the nearest police |
statiOn-tllat will be New Lorlmer-- |
and tell them to come over and get |
this precious pair. guess It's the end |
of these neighborhood robberles."
1t was almost dawn when they re-
turned to the house and faced each |
other across the library table.
"And now for your uncle's ghost"
laughed Laidlaw, opening the narrow
door In the chimney end IL was a
small cupboard, with "A bookshelf IN
the back.
They searched and found the spring
mentioned by Beebe, the burglar, and
when the bookcase had opened and |
disclosed a narrow staircase winding
up they mounted the stairs until they
were directly behind Mr.. Nicholas
Danes portrait
A sliding panel revealed the canvas
OF the portrait and an ingenious little
contrivance, Of which the clever Becbe
sullenly admitted himself the inventor,
enabled one to pull a string, where
upon the partially cut out eyebnlls Of
the picture tapped inside and enabled
Mr.. Jim Beebe TO roll his wild black
eyes at Ned Baker or any other intrud-
er In the library.
1t appeared that Beebe had an &c
complete In the house In the person
Of Ames, Bakers butler. It was Ames
who had discovered the secret stair
way which led to an unsuspected room
In the middle Of the attic. This room
had served as a hiding place for the
burglars, and Its existence was not
even known to BalIpr himself.
In the course OF time Ames was cap
tured and, with his c0nGederates. IL
serving term In the penirnntiary.
Ned Baker has no trouble ~ keeping
servants, and Jim Laidla1 spends
much time under the hospitablc roof
The restored portrait OF Uncle Nlch.
olas has been returned TO its place over
the mantel. and now the gray eyes do
not change color Nor will they ever
again, for the secret stair has been
sealed up.