Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-27
The Abandoned Room
by Wadsworth Camp.

Katherine put her finger to her
lips. Howells and the doctor came
from the corridor Of the old wing.
At the head Of the stairs the de-
tective turned. .
you will find it very warm and
comfortable by the fire in the lower
hall, Mr.. Blackburn
He waited until Katherine had
slipped to her room, until Graham,
Paroles, the doctor, and Bobby
were on the stairs. Then he walked
slowly into the new corridor,
Bobby knew what he was after.
The detective had made no effort
to disguise his intention. He wanted
Bobby out of the way while he
searched his room again, this time
for a sharp, slender instrument
capable of penetrating between the
bones at the base of a mans brain.
Paroles lighted a cigarette and
warmed his back at the fire. The
doctor settled himself in his chair.
He paid no attention to the others.
He wouldn't answer Paredes's slow
remarks.
Interesting, doctorl I am little
psychic. Always in this house /
have responded to strange, I'M
friendly influences. Always, as now,
the approach of night depresses me"
Bobby couldn't sit still. He nodded
at Graham, arose, got his coat and
hat, and stepped into the court. The
dusk was already thick there. Damp
ness and melancholy seemed to
exude from the walls of the old
house. He paused and gazed at one
of the footprints in the soft earth by
the fountain. Shreds of plaster adj
hered to the edges, testimony that
the detective had made his cast from
this print. He tried to realize that
that mute, familiar impression had
the power to send him to his execu-
ton. Graham, who had come ST.
lently from the house, startled him.
What are you looking att"
mo use, Hartley. l was on the
library lounge. l heard every word
Howells said"
Perhaps it's as we'll" Graham
said. you know what you face.
But I hate to see you suffer. We've
got to find way around that evil
dence."
Bobby pointed to the windows of
the room of death.
"There's no way around except
the doctors theory"
He laughed shortly. +
Much as I've feared that room.
I'm afraid the psychic explanation
won't hold water. Paroles put his
finger on it. | would have had time
to get back to my room before
Katherine called
"Stop, Bobby
Hartley, Pm afraid to go to
sleep. It's dreadful not to know
whether YOU are active in your sleep,
whether you are evil and ingenious
to the point of the miraculous IN
your sleep. I'm so tired, Hartley.
"Why should you have gone to
that room this afternoon?" Graham
asked. "You must get this idea out
of your head. You must have sleep,
and, perhaps. when you're thor
oughly rested you will remember"
I'm not so sure" Bobby said,
that I Want to remember"
He pointed to the footprint.
There's no question. was here
last night"
"Unless,' Graham said, your
handkerchief and your shoes were
stolen"
"Nonsensew Bobby cried. "The
only motive would be to commit a
murder in order to kill me by send
ing me to the chair. And who would
know his way around that dark
house like me? Who would have
found out so easily that my grand
father had changed his room?"
cts logical" Graham admitted
slowly, but we can't give in. BY
the way, has Paroles ever borrowed
any large sums?"
Bobby hesitated. After all.
Paredes and he had been good
friends.
"a little here and there" he an
swered reluctantly.
"Has he ever paid you back?"
II don't recall" Bobby answered,
flushing. "You know I've never
been exactly calculating about
money. Whenever he wanted it |
was always glad to help Carlos out.
Why do you askl
III any one" Graham answered.
lookeS on you as a certain source OF.
money, there would be motive in
conserving that source, in increas-
ing it. Probably lots of people
knew Mr.. Blackburn was out of pa
thence with you; would make new
will today
do you think" Bobby asked,
chat Carlos is clever enough to have
got through those doorsa~And
what about this afternoon-that
CHASTITY disturbing of the body?
He smiled wanly.
at looks like me or the ghosts of
NV ancestors"