Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-25
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Black Cloak.

All at once his nearly perpetual
sleeplessness since coming to the
Cedars had recorded itself in his
face. His nerves at last confessed
their vulnerability as he fumbled for
cigarette with his good hand, as
he placed it awkwardly between his
lips.
Would you mind giving ME
light, Bobby"
Bobby struck a match and held i
to the cigarette.
Thanks" Parades said Are you
nearly through, doctor? | daresay
its nothing
Doctor Groom glanced up,
Nothing serious with little
luck. It's only torn through a
muscle. 1t might have pierced the
large vein"
His forehead beneath the shaggy
black hair was deeply lined. He
turned to Robinson doubtfully.
Maybe you II tell us" Robinson
said, what made the wound"
mo use Sinking facts the doc
tor rumbled. "Mr Parades has been
wounded just as he said, by some
thing sharp and slender
You mean Robinson said, by
all instrument that could have caus.
ed death in the case of Howells and
and"
Il won't have you looking at me
that way" Sllas Blackburn whined
Yes" the doctor answered. BE,
fore we go any further | want tc
bind this arm. There must be- al
antiseptic in the house. Where i;
Katherine? See if you can find her
Bobby"
As Bobby started to cross the
dining room he heard the slight
scraping of the door leading to the
kitchen. He kne, there was some
one in the room with him. H'
touched a cold hand.
Bobby" Katherine breathed II
his ear.
He understood why the little llgh
from the hall had failed to disclose
her when she had come from the
kitchen. She wore the black cloak
Against the darkness at the end O
the room she had made no sill
houette, When he put his arm:
around her and touched her cheek
he noticed that that. too, was cold
and the shoulders of the cloak were
damp as if she had just come in from
the falling snow.
Where have you been" he asked
Looking outside" she answered
frankly. II couldn't sit still.
wondered if the woman in blaci
would be around the house tonight
Then | was afraid. so | came ill.,"
Doctor Groom's voice reachet
them.
Have you found her: Is she ii
the dining room" ,
Without any thought of disloyal
ty Bobby recognized the menace o
coincidence. :.
Take your cloak OF" he whls
pered, leave it here
WHY"
While he drew the cloak from he
shoulders he raised his voice.
Carlos has been hurt. The doc
| tor asked me to find you"
His simple strategy was destroye'
bv the appearance of RaWlins. II
detective came directly to them; no
was the coincidence lost on him, an
it was his business to adyertis
rather than to conceal it. Wlthou
ceremony he took the cloak tron
Bobby. He draped it over his arm
The doctor" he said to kath
crime. wants a basin of warm water
some old linen, carbolic acid, ii yo
have it."
She nodded and went back to tn
kitchen, while Bobby returned wit
the detective to the hall. Parade'
eyes remained closed. ,
"Where did you get the cloal
Rawlins:" Robinson asked.
The young lady" Rawl'ns al
swered with soft satisfaction. Jus
wore it in. At least it's still we
from the sAow.' ,,
Parades opened his eyes. II
looked for a moment at the olac
cloak. He closed his eyes again.
you could recognize the woma
who attacked YOU" Rawlns said. =.
You've forgotten how dark 1t i
Please don't ask me to even sWea
that it was woman.
I You're trying to say it WASH
flesh and blood Blackburn quavel
cd.
Paradcs smiled weakly. -.
I'm trying to say nothing at all
., Tell US each detail of the attack
Robinson said.
But Kathcrine's footsteps reache
them from the dining room an
Parades wouldn't answer. Cnde
these conditions Robinson's tallur
to press the question was as disturb
ing as the detectives matter-ot-ia'
capture of the cloak.
Parades glanced at katheril1
once. There was no -sottness III he
attitude as she knelt beside his chat
Neither, Bobby felt. was thel
the slightest uneasiness. With
facile grace she helped the doctc
battle and bandage the slight woun
"A silk handkerchief for sling
the doctor suggested.
Il won't have a sling" Parade
said, Il wouldn't know what to d
without Vie use Of both my hands
you ought to congratulate you
self that you still keep it." the do
tor grumbled.
Bobby took the pan and bottle
from Katherine and rang for Jel
, kins. 1t was clear that Robinsc
had hoped the girl would 60 o,
with them herself and so give Par
des an opportunity to speak. TIL
{ new development made him wol
der about Graham's theories as
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
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