Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-15
...ALICE DEVINE...
BY EDGAR JEPSOM
Copyright by Merrill Co.
Copyright 1915 by the Bobbs Merrill Co.

seen men-several men-foreigners-
hanging about the house at night. for
the last fortnight, two or three of
them at a time. They were not the
foreign refuse with which London is
getting choked. but we'll dressed men.
night he had seen two Of them come
out OF the porch and asked them
what they were doing in it. They
said that they were friends Of Senor
Vicentt and had knocked to see il he
were at home. I agreed with Brookes
that 1t was idiotic to leave a house
ike that without caretaker in 1t.
But these men seemed to me sus-
picious: and wondered if there were
anything wrong with the house. But
l thought 1t would be safe enough if
Brookes were keeping an eye on 1t;
Tor he is an uncommonly intelligent
policeman. and we'll on his way to
be promoted to the rank OF sergeant
l made point Of looking at the house
myself when I came home at night
and Of trying the door of it as l
passed.
About a week later 1 came home
ABOUT nalf past eleven, and before 60
ing to bed went out on the balcony
Ihere was bright moon: and I saw
a policeman. probably Brooke-go-
ing up the left side of the triangle.
Ihen a woman in black passed quick
lN along the pavement beneath me
ana slipped up the steps into the
porch of Number 16.
l lost no time. 1 ran downstairs
let myself out Of the house and
walked past Number is. saw a
dark figure against it's door and caught
glimpse Of a white cheek and a
gilmmering eve as the woman turned
lier race TO see who passed. I walked
on to the corner. keeping my head
over my shoulder to see if she came
OUT OF the porch. She did not. I
waited three minutes. walked quietly
back, and saw the dark figure still
IN the porch. close to the door. I
walked up the steps and said .sharp-
iS: what are YOU doing here %
She gave startled little cry. Then
she said in spirited tone: .'Eet ees
no business of yours"
1t was pleasant voice-the voice
of lady. 'o'ee
much my business. This house is
mine; my tenant is away and in his
absence keep an eve on it,"
on, ees eet zo?" she said coolly.
ana fancied that she slipped some
| thlng into her pocket.
Yes. 1T is; and I should like an
explanation" 1 said.
10 Neiee simple, she said
SLOWLY. Senor Vicenti ees my oncle.
am zeeing if he ees at re house.
am COON to London lately; and | find
heem gone from /eet."
1T was simple. natural explana-
tlon; and it came straight off her
tongue, but l did not believe e.
Its very late" l said.
Not to zeek an oncle," she said
with soft laugh. II weesh to zee
heem veree mooch. I do not know
when he cooms back to his house"
wen, II there were any one in the
house, they would have come to the
door % long before now." / said.
Zat ees true" she said with a lit
1le sigh. But once more 1 weel
And with that she heat a thunder.
ing tattoo on the door with the knock
er. AS the knocks went ringing out
on the quiet Gardens. realized that
she had not knocked before. Of
course she might have been ringing.
II tnere ees any one in re house.
zey weel hear that" she said; and
sne laughed a queer soft laugh, with
kind Of threat in it. uncomforta Bile
to hear.
And then she came down the steps
Wltnout waiting moment to hear if
her knocking had aroused any one.
1t was an odd thing to do.
In the full light of the moon I saw
mat she was very pretty girl, with
very red lips in pale face and large
Velvety eyes. I fancied that thew
looked at me in a rather mockine
way.
We walked along to the corner and
| turned down Carisbrooke street with
her.
Then she stopped and said: "Zere
ees no need for you to COON with
IT don't think that your uncle
would like You to be walking about %
alone at this hour: and since he is my
tenant, he would think 1t only proper
that I should see you home. or at
any rate put you into a cab," I said.
l meant to hear the address she
gave the cabman.
She looked at my face and she saw
that meant to come. Perhaps I was
feeling obstinate.
"veree we'll" she said, Struggling
her shoulders. But zere ees no need.
My motor car ees waiting for mo at
ze end Of re street."
We went on: and half way down the
street I said: You're expecting your
uncle to return soon?''
II do not know" she said.
well. + hope he'll wash his win
dows when he does come" said.
"Wash-hees-wind she said:
and she stared at me with her eyes
wide open.
Eyes: the windows Of his house.
They're disgrace to the Gardens.
Do you think that you could have
them washed?"
"Deesgraceful?-Me oh, but you
Eengleesh-you are fonny." she said,
and laughed.
1t was a charming laugh; but I
could not see anything funny about
the windows Of the eyesore They
were disgusting.
I. Sure enough. at the bottom Of the
against the curb. I opened the door
of it for her and she stepped into it.
Good night she said.
Good night" said I; and the car
started off at a smart pace.
OF course there was'no taxi in sight.
II there had been, should certainly
have taken the liberty of seeing where
the car went.
The car went round the corner and
! turned back. I wished had asked
her to inform me Immediately of her
unele's return, that might have
started on him at once about the dis
graceful appearance Of the outside Of
his house.
came home wondering about her.
Certainly she did not seem the kind
Of person to feel anxious about. She
was not one of the criminal class, Of
that was quite sure. I looked about
for her for day or two; but I saw
nothing of her. She did not come
again to seek her uncle at any time
when was Yin the Gardens. Neither
did Senior Vicenti return, nor were
any preparations made for his return,
nor were the windows washed.
1t was four or Ave days later that