Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-03-29
CHAPTER NXIII-(Continued).

VI ~ u
there, and Simmonds came painting up
an instant later. The detectives had
their torches in their hands, and |
saw that they had broken one of the
glass panels of the doors. and that one
of them had passed a hand through the
opening and was fumbling about inside.
There was Il sharp click, and the hand
came back.
"There you are" he said, threw the
door open, and stood aside for his SUI
perior officer to lead the way.
What S wrong" Simmonds asked.
II don't know-but the girl showed
a light at her window"
You heard nothing?'
Not Il sound
Sinmonds hestltated. No doubt the
same thought occurred to him as to
me; for the lawyer-Tartarin in me
suggested that we scarcely had warrant
to break our way into a sleeping house
in the middle of the night.
But no such doubts seemed to dis
turb Godfrey. Without a word. he
caught the torch from Simmonus'
hand, and passed through the doorway.
Simmonds followed. l went next, and
the two other men came last, their
eorches also flarng. Three beams of
light flashed about the library and
showed it to he empty. One Of them
Godfrey's-lingered on the high-backed
chair, but this time it had no &C.
upant
Then Godfrey switched on the light,
passed into the hall and switched on
the light there. The hall. too, was
empty. and only the ticking of a tall
clock disturbed the silence. 1 wa;
fatlering INC ready to turn back, but,
to my amazement. Godfrey crossed the
hall at u bound and sprang up III
stairs. three steps at a time.
Make all the noise you cant" he
shouted over his shoulder, and the clat-
l TOW rf nrtr fo1A @~-o~ 80, L. .-..1--
the dead.
The upper hall was also empty; and
then my heart gave a sudden leap, for
the circle of light from Godfrey's torch
had come to rest upon a white robed
figure. which had stolen half way down
was the maid, holding her nightdress
about her; and her face was as white
as her gown.
Godfrey sprang to her side.
What is it?" he asked. What is
Down here somewhere. And a scuffle
In the dark. \ woman's cry. 1t was
choked off short"
Godfrey leaped dow among us, and.
Us the light OF a torch flashed across
1t, saw that his face was livid.
WHO'S got an extra gun?" he do
handed, and n OF the detectives
pressed one into his hand. Ready,
now. men," he added, crossed the hall.
threw open the outer door into Silva's
room, and flung back the drapery be-
yond.
My heart was in my throat as
pecred over GodfreIs shoulder at what
lay within: and then a gasp of amaze
ment from my companions mingled
with my OWN.
For the crystal sphere was glowing
softly, and seated Gloss legged ON tho
divan, his hands folded, his eyes fixed
in meditation. was Silva.
we all stood for a moment staring
at him, then Godfrey passed his hand
dazedly before his eyes.
You two men stay on guard here"
he said. "One of you keep your torch
torch on the floor. There's a cobra
around somewhere"
An arc of light swept shallingly
across the floor. as one of the men
turned his torch toward it. But I
saw no sign of Toto.
with me-" Godfrey added, stepped back
into the hall. and tapped at the door
of Miss Faughan's bed room.
There was no response. and he
tapped again. Then he tried the door,
found 1t unlocked. and opened it. He
room; then he found the switch turned
on the lights n entered.
Inc room was empty, as were the
dressing room and bath room adjoin-
ing. The cover Of the bed had been
turned back. ready for it's occupant,
but the bed was undisturbed.
Godfrey glanced about the room
again. a sort of frenzied concentration
IN his gaze, n then went, out. lcay.
ing the lights burning. It took but a
moment or W to look through the
other suites. They were all empty.
Ill. MISS was anywhere
1.-THE noise we made would have
brought her Out to investigate. There's
only place she can be- and he led
the way resolutely back to the door of
Silva's room.
The yogi had not moved.
Godfrey contemplated him for a
bearded face. Then he crossed the
threshold. his torch sweeping the floor
In front Of him.
Let's see what the Thug is up to-
ne said, crossed the room. drew back
the drapery. and opened the door into
Mahbub once before.
There was a burst of acrid smoke
into the room, and Godfrey stepped
back with a stuffed exclamation.
Come here. you fellows!" he cried,
n Simmonds and ! sprang to his
side.
For a homer / could see nothing:
the rolling clouds of smoke blinded
and choked me; I could feel the tears
running down my cheeks and my
throst burned - though 1t had been
Then the smoke lifted a little. ana I
cas1Sht = 9limbse % what lay within
III tHs l4fddre 81 the floor stood an
Open 6faZfef. with d thin yellow flame