East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-12-18


leading the way toward the front
door.
"You mean more than you say!'
declared Clayton, pausing at the YER
anda steps.
do II" suavely returned Parrish.
"Well. it's better than saying more
than ! mean. Good-by. I guess ]
won't go In, after all"
He nodded and started down the
walk toward the street. But Clay
ton rang the bell and was admitted.
Parrish abruptly checked his own
progress. Turning he sped around the
side Of the house once more, passed
an obscure side door, among the
vines, took a key from his pocket
unlocked the door and cautiously en-
tered the house.
Clayton, meantime, was ushered
into the library by Felix. DR.. Mon
trose, looking up, rose and advanced
cordially to welcome his guest.
Felix departed In search Of Flor
ence, who presently came laughing
into the room, carrying in one hand
her camera and in the other arm
two struggling kittens.
Hello, Bob!" she hailed the art-
list. what brings you here so early
in the day? / thought you were always
at your studio till A."
"I'm playing truant," replied Clay
ton. Besides, I'm not here as a guest,
but as an errand boy"
He repeated his mothers invita-
ton for the country club dinner.
Florence gladly accepted, and he
promised TO call for her in his car
at 7:S0, 70 take her 10 the club.
While they chatted, DR. Montrose,
unnoticed by either Of them, quietly
left the room and mounted the
stairs toward his laboratory.
The telephone rang, in the hall, Just
outside the library door. Florence
went out to answer the call. leaving
Clayton to wonder what had become
OF his eccentric host.
At the far end of the wire Mrs.
Clayton's voice was asking Florence
II Bob had remembered TO deliver her
invitation and IL the girl would be
able TO accept II.
"Of course I'll come, Mrs. Clayton" 4"
Bob heard Florence reply. He is go
ing TO take me in his car, after he
has brought you to the club. l."
Clayton strolled out into the hall
on learning that IT was his mother
10 whom Florence was talking.
As he stepped through the doorway
from the library he saw Florence at
the telephone; her back 10 the stair
way. And near the upper landing Of
the stairs, listening to her, stood
Pierre La Rue.
La Rue's eyes met Clayton's Then
Pierre whirled about and dashed up
ward, out of sight.
Shaking Off his momentary astorish-
ment. Clayton bounded up the STAIR
way in hot pursuit.
Bob could hear La Rue run along
the upper hallway. But as he him
self reached the summit OF tho stairs
he saw the hallway was empty At
its farther end. however, near the
locked door Of the laboratory, win.
dow stood wide open.
= \ =
Toward this window ran Bob Clay
ton; Florence at his heels. They both
looked out. No one was in sight.
But broken bit Of wlsteria showed
the passage of the fugitive along the
veranda roof.
Look" cried Florence, as Clayton
leaned far out in search Of the es-
capped La Rue. "Look! Down herel"
She pointed at the window sill.
There, Yearly outlined against the
snow-white paint Of the sill, they
both saw set Of not-over-clean tin-
ger prints.
"Goodl" exclaimed Clayton, in tri-
umph. Don't touch them, please.
They form the FIRST tangible clue
we've had.
Florence left him and sped down
the hall. Almost at once she re-
turned. carrying her camera.
''The microscopic lens is still at
tached," she explained, focusing the
instrument. Now for o picture Of
the finger prints. Harold ought to
be glad to reproduce It in the Ex-
amlner. AS you say, it's a splendid
Clew."
AS she talked she leveled the cam
era and pressed its bulb.
TNNtnnvA v,,fa1sNaa lnsav 4hA
were developed and printed. Clayton
pocketed one Of the prints as soon
as 1t was dry.
"See!" commented Florence, point
ing to a second print she had made.
"That thumb ought 10 be easy TO
identify. 1t has tiny scar, part way,
across the apex. / don't suppose it
would show for much in the hand
itself. But the microscope makes it
look like cash."
They descended into the front hall.
"Do you mind II 1 light a cigaret
before start out?" asked Bob, draw
ing forth a polished silver cigaret
case There's such a gale Of wind
blowing outside. I'm afraid I'm not
enough Of an Irishman to make a
match burn there"
He was cropping for a match as he
spoke. Then his eyes fell on Felix
The servant had quietly appeared
from somewhere in the rear Of the
house and was holding out Clayton't
hat and gloves, which he had obse-
auiously picked up from the hall
table.
An idea flashed into Bob's mind
Thrusting back the match into his
pocket, he produced a silk handker'
chief, and vigorously rubbed the al
ready shining surface Of the cigaret
case.
'HThese silver cases get tarnished q
easily" he explained, as he rubbed
As he spoke the case slipped from
his fumbllng fingers to the rug at hi
feet. Felix at once picked up the cas-
and handed It to him.
Thanks" said Bob, carelessiy.
He took the case from the servants