The Carlisle independent., 1917-03-15

the Imperial Cipher"
 have already learned, who will let nothing stand in their way if they see a chance of getting possession of it"
 They will never get it" said Burke T am taking no chances. It is we'll hidden"
 That night Burke worked at the desk in his laboratory until after mid night. Cleo, as had been her custom since the night of the attack, sat iu the room, bent over her sewing. At last, with a sigh of weariness, Burke completed his writing. Leaning back in his chair his gaze wandered about the room until it rested on a narrow shelf, just aboxe his desk, which held a small and much-thumbed Bible and a dozen ponderous volumes on various scientific subjects. Though the study was filled from floor to ceiling with his extensive library, these dozen tattered, dog-eared volumes were his most precious possession. They formed, as he had often told Cleo, his earliest library; as young man he had made many sacrifices in order to buy them, and. for old times sake, he always kept them by him. They possessed, moreover. because of their age and rarity, an intrinsic as well as senti- mental value Now Burke took one Of the worn volumes down and caressed it lovingly.
 'I want you to remember. Cleo" he said, more solemnly than was custom ary with him, that if anything should happen to me there is fortune wait ing for my little girl in these old books"
 Hush daddy. hush" she cried. dropping her work and perching her self on the arm of his chair, 'T won't have you talk so. You give me the shivers. Why. daddy. dearest, yours going to live for years and years and years"
 But" the old man continued. talk ing from the end of the TOW the muchused Bible, this is the most precious of all. It was my mothers parting gift when I left home as boy to make my fortune. It has never left me. want you to promise, my child, that you will keep it always"
 "Of course I'll keep it always, dad dy darling" Cleo exclaimed. throwing her arms about the old mans neck. Because 1t has meant so much to you it will be doubly precious to me. And now you must go to bed, daddy. You've worked quite long enough, and I'm so sleepy that can scarcely keep my eyes open"
 It was late when Cleo awakened the next morning. The sun was shining as only Californian sun can shine; birds warbled their maths in the garden: from the roses which chung to her wall outside her window came wave of fragrance No wonder that she sung happily as, seated before the mirror. she brushed her spun-gold hair and twisted it on her head into a golden crown. It was morning to make any one sing Slipping into the littie gingham frock which she wore about the house, she sped lightly down the stairs, still singing.
 "Time to get up. daddy" she called gayly. rapping at her fathers bedroom door. "I'll have breakfast ready in a I minute"
 But there was no answer.
 Daddy is sleeping soundly this morning" she said to herself. and rapped again.
 Still there was no response Chilled
 
 The room was empty. The bed had not been slept in. The door leading into the laboratory was ajar. Shs opened It. Stretched on the floor, in e pool of crimson, lay Dr. Ralph Burke Buried in his heart Wis an ivoF1 handled dagger.
 (To BE CoNTNUED.)