The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-09-15

OVER THE PILLOW.
over. the hours of the full moon as
given in the almanac varied. some of
them coming in the daytime.
had to pursue the subject farther,
If 1t was to furnish me with any real
clew. A full moon Is, of course. the
only moon that shines at its zenith at
or very near midnight. This might
make a difference Yet 1t took me
some moments to think how.
Then 1t flashed upon me.
There was some spot where the only
light Of the moon that ever fell was
at midnight. and when the moon was
full!
This fitted the case entirely. was
so impressed that could not get away
from 1t.
If could find such a spot-particu-
larly If it were spot under which
some person slept should certainly
not let that person go until after the
most rigid investigation Of his mind
and his nocturnal habits.
But how could such a spot be found
Obviously could not set my men upon
the task Of searching half q million
bedrooms at the hour Of midnight
when the moon was full. The thing
was quite as hopeless as ever. All
had gained was curious discovery in
ychology-unless-
/ seized the calendar again. The
murderous maniac would return-he
NJ hn Full
My hair suddenly rose. The moon was
full that night! And the sky outside
was absolutely cloudless.
Already had spent so much time on
this lunar theory that 1t was half past
IL. Another half hour-and, would it
be myself or the new housekeeper I
had secured who would serve as the
lunatic's next victim?
Quickly drew two revolvers from
the drawer of my desk. turned out
the lights and sat in the darkened
front room, my ears straining for the
first sound.
1t seemed to me that sat thus for
hours before 1 heard slight noise in
the kitchen-a faint scratching.
I rushed through my bedroom and
the narrow hall past the servants
room. At the kitchen door | halted for
an instant, staring into the blackness
until could make out the dimly out
lined windows.
The scratching came again.
The utter black was hardly broken
where the windows faced the dull
brick walls. l waited.
The scratching was repeated. 1t
came again and again. crept out
into the middle Of the room. taking
pains to avoid touching chair or a
table. l stopped and listened.
l could hear the sound more dis
tinctly now. At least l believed I
could trace It's direction. 1t came from
the window by the pantry door,
thought. AS reached this conclusion
1t stopped.
Once more l waited-until I could
stand the suspense no longer.
l struck a match and lighted the
gas, keeping my eyes riveted upon the
window.
hS thO huhhC huitu up pdiCly
scream Of terror
A mouse. frightened ut the light,
turned and ran almost from under my
feet back into the pantry.
Only the wrought up condition of
my nerves could account for my fail
ure to recognize the sound II had made.
I supposed 1t was now long past
midnight, but my watch told me 1t
was but five minutes past II.
Trembling, almost faint with the
sudden let down from the strain OF
dnseeing fear, turned out the light
again and started back to my vigil In
he front room.
l reached my own bedroom.
My blood suddenly froze with horror.
Never had I seen 1t before in the
years / had lived In that suit, but
now
A large square Of light. as the moon
peered through the angle of the v
shaped court. lay full over the pillow
| OF my bed.