River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-06-21

series of vaults.
"There was,'' continued Sowerby.
good stuff in the place-oriental ware
a library of books which I'm told is
unique and a tremendous stock of OPT
um and hashish. It's perfect maze
Of doors and observation traps There
is a small kitchen at the end, near the
head of the tunnel, which, by the way.
could be used as a means Of entrance
and exit at low tide. All the electric
power came through the meter of Kan
Sub Concessions"
81 ssee," said Dunbar refectively,
glancing at his watch. I'm a word, we
know everything except
whats that?" said Sowerby, look
ing up.
'The identity of Mr. King" replied
the inspector, reaching for his hat
which lay upon the table.
Sowerby replaced his book in his
pocket.
Il wonder if any of the bodies will
ever come ashore?" he said.
"God knowsr' raped Dunbar eve
can't even guess how many were
aboard. You might as well come along.
Sowerby. I've just heard from DR..
Cumberly. Mrs. Leroux"-.
"Dead?"
Dying" replied the inspector; Eek
3ected to go at any moment But the
doctor tells me that she may-it's Just
possible-recover consciousness before
the end, and there's bare chance
II see," said Sowerby eagerly. "Of
course she must known
The two fastened to Palace man
sions. Despite the lateness of the
hour Whitehall was thrOnged with We
hicles, and all the glitter and noise of
midnight London surrounded them.
at only seems like yesterday even
ing" said Dunbar as they mounted the
stair of Palace mansions. that came
here to take charge of the case. It's
been the most exciting I've ever han
died, and it's certainly the most dis
appointing"
'It is, indeed" said Sowerby gloom
lily, pressing the bell button at the
side of Henry Leroux's door.
The door was opened by Garnham,
and these two fresh from the noise
and hustle of London's streets, stepped
into the hushed atmosphere of the fat
where already a Visitant, unseen but
potent, was arrived, and now was
reckoning, shadow-like, to Mira Lee
rOuX.
"Win you please sit down and wait"
said Garnham, placing chairs for the
two Scotland Yard men in the dining
room.
"Whos inside?' whispered Dunbar
with that note of awe in his voice
which such a scene always produces,
and he nodded in the direction Of the
lobby.
"NIr. Leroux, sir" replied the man,
''the nurse, Miss Cumberly. DR.. Cum
berly and Miss Ryland."
mo one else?" asked the detective
sharply.
"And Mr.. CASTOR Max" added the
man. you'll find whisky and cigars
upon the table there, sir"
He left the room. Dunbar glanced
across at Sowerby, his tufted brows
raised and a wry smile upon his face.
"In at the death, Sowerby!" he said
grimly and lifted the stopper from the
cut glass decanter.
In the room where Mira LerOuX lay,
so near to the borderland that her al
ways ethereal appearance was now
positively appalling, a hushed group
stood about the bed.
81 think she is awake, DOCTOR" whis-
pered the nurse softly, peering into
the emaciated face of the patient.
Mira LerOux opened her eyes and
smiled at DR.. Cumberly, who was
bending over her. The poor faded eyes
turned from the face of the physician
to that of Denise Ryland, then to NJ
Max wonderingly; next to Helen,
whereupon an indescribable expression
crept into them, and finally to Henry
Leroux, who, with bowed head, sat in
the chair beside her. She feebly ex-
tended her thin hand and laid it upon
his hair. He looked up, taking the
hand in his own. The eyes of the dy-
inc woman filled with tears as she
turned them from the face of Leroux
20 Helen Cumberly, who was weeping
silently
"Look after him. whispered Mira
LerouX.
Her hand dropped, and she closed
ler eyes again. Cumberly bent for
ward suddenly, glancing back at NJ
Max, who stood in remote corner of
the room watching the scene.
Big Ben commenced to chime the
hour of midnight. That frightful CO.
incidence so startled Leroux that he
looked up and almost rose from his
chair in his agitation. Indeed, it star
tied Cumberly also, but it did not di-
vert him from his purpose.
1T is now or neverr' he whispered.
He took the seemingly lifeless hand
in his own and, bending over Mira Lee
roux, spoke softly in her ear.
'Mrs. LerouX," he said, ''there is
something which we all would ask you
to tell us. We ask it for a reason, be-
lieve me-
he 1of Oe This