Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-14
CHAPTER IN.
MI. f"hu ~. l.Hr ~ IInrrnra

1t all seemed so pleasant, so com
fortably normal. when DR.. rayson
Alden paid an early afternoon call at
the Maynard home. lie could hardly
believe that only few short hours
before the beautiful heiresS driftcd
helplessly between life and the black
beyond. in tho mysterious currents Of
unseen evil Yet there was the win
dow through which he had made his
forcible entry for that fortunate recon
noiterinC expedition.
And hidden beneath those substan-
tial foundation stones OF the ola man
sion was the chamber of grewsome
menace. II had been a walking night
marc. and even yet the spiritual shud-
der which had come from his opportune
participation In the drama tingled his
nerves
He felt triumphant, in sense.
But u forcbodinE chill. a vague fear
for another than himself forced itself
upon him. as he walked thoughtfully
up tho long drive. through the grounds
of the estate.
eff she would only get away from
this place she might escape the clutches
OF these assassns." he thought. 81
must suggest it to her mother with
out frightening either OF them too
much. Then will fight it out alone
until the battle is won. That is the
best plan. after all"
But the best laid plans have the
case they followed their usual obstinate
habit and proceeded to go wrong
Myra greeted him with Just enough
suggestion Of intimate interests to
send thrill through his once imper-
vious heart. The scientific coldncss OF
the physician was not proof against
the mellow glow OF those surprising
blue eyes.
ooh, Or. Alden! 1t seems ages since
I saw YOU last" she began. as she led
him into the drawing room. Mother
mas been SO nervous this morning that
she could not bear TO tell me all abou,
il
Myra smiled and dimplcd. rs she con-
tirucd eagerly.
And poor Willis. the butter, has been
Spint'erins pompously. and with what
looks to me more like stage fright than
anything else When | ask him cues
tionS ne turns turkey red and STAN
mers. Five times to-day, doctor. T
found him poking UNDER chairs and
dav"nportS, beds and chiffonicrs with
broom handle. Hero is the way he
looks at the hooks and cIannies."
And Myra lauEhingly rolled her eyes.
putting out her checks and then staring
IN droll way. AS she used the doc
tors walking stick, to initiate the sus-
picious Willis.
Well. he is not to be blamed. Miss
Maynard. responded Alden, rather Sc
riously. IL he had been as canton.
about investigating your cellar and the
panels on the walls he might have
saved you from all this"
He paused in thought for an instant.
why. what do you mean? Saved me
from what"
From death Ana something besides
that. something more intangible
must tell YOU what happened 10 YOU,
Miss Maynard for this is not the end
OF the affair.
MNra regarded him with an incrcdu-
lous LOOK on her girlish face, but the
intense sincerity OF his manner made
her realize after few words that here
was 10 jcstinG matter. The physician
explained the happenings so far as
he was able, Of the two dramatic nights
before lie told OF his clandestine visit
to her room. where he placed the black
STAN upon the door knob. SO that when
she repeated her slcepwalkinE she
might leave the traces along Whatever
hanisicrs and walls she touched
lie told OF his later discovery, while
she was playing tho piano for her
mother and Arthur Varncy. Of the hn-
ger prints upon the panel. and the dis
covcry Of the secret panel
Myra's eyes filled with horror, AS
Alden described her descent into the
chamber OF horrors below
When he narrated his own third bur
Glarious" entry. rolled In the rug. by
NhitH Nv SUI W 'Hcu 'ne urOWSy private
Waterman and followed her barely In
time to save her from suicide I'm tho
black chamber. the girl trembled and
covered her eyes With her delicate
fingers.
"Oh. ] can remembebr some Of Il
now" she exclaimed. family. The
candle. tho knife, which dropped from
my hand, and your face in that dim
light. Then IL all went back. until
mother bent over me-"
Sho sprang to her feet and ap-
proacbed him With an appealing sss-