Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-09
The AbandonedRoom
By Wadsworth Camp

that there should be no escape. HI
glanced up.
Il wonder flour foreigners laugh
ing at me now"
Graham made movement toware
the door. Z
I'VE might" he said significantly
lind that out without disturbing
him."
Robinson nodded and led the way
silently back to the house. Such q
method was repugnant to Bobby
and he followed at distance. Their
he saw from the movements of the
two men ahead that the library had
again offered the unexpected, ant
he entered. Paroles was no Longer
in the room. Bobby was about tc
speak, but Robinson shook his head
angrily, raising his hand in a ges.
ture of warning. All three strained
forward, listening, and Bobby caught
the sound that had arrested the
others-a stealthy scraping that
would have been inaudible except
through such a brooding silence as
pervaded the old house.
Bobby's interest quickened at this
confirmation of Graham's story
There was a projection of cold fear
moreover, in its sly allusion. 1t gave
to his memory of Paredes, with his
tall, graceful figure, his lack of emo
ton, his inscrutable eyes, and his
pointed beard, a suggestion nearly
satanic. For the stealthy scrapine
had come from behind the closed
door of the private staircase. How
ellis had gone up that staircase. None
of them could forget for a moment
that it led to the private hall out
side the room in which the muir
ders had been committed.
1t occurred to Bobby that the
triumph Graham's face expressed
was out of keeping with the man.
1t disturbed him nearly as thorough
ly as Paroles stealthy presence in
that place.
We've got him." Graham whis-
pered.
Robinson's bulky figure moved
cautiously toward the door. He
grasped the knob, swung the doof
open and stepped back, smiling his
satisfaction.
Half way down the staircase
Paroles leaned against the wall,
one foot raised and outstretched, as
though an infinitely quiet descent
had been interrupted. The exposure
had been too quick for his habit.
His face failed to hide its discom-
future. His laugh rang false.
"Hello!"
Pm afraid we've caught you,
Paredes," Graham said, and the
triumph blazed now in his voice.
What Paroles did then was more
startling, more out of key than any
of his recent actions. He came
precipitately down. His eyes were
dangerous. As Bobby watched the
face whose quiet had at last been
tempestuously destroyed, he felt
that the man was capable of any
thing under sufficient provocation.
Got ME for what?' he snarled.
Tell us why you were sneaking
up there. In connection with your
little excursion before dawn it sug-
gests a guilty knowledge"
Paroles Strengthened. He shrug
ged his shoulders. With an ad-
mirable effort of the will he smooth
ed the rage from his face, but for
Bobby the satanic suggestion linger-
ed.
why do you suppose I'm here?"
he said in a restrained voice that
scarcely rose above whisper. TO
help Bobby. | was simply looking
around for Bobby's sake
That angered Bobby. He wanted
to cry out against the supposed
friend who had at last shown his
teeth.
THAT" Graham laughed, us why
you sneaked, why you didn't make
any noise, why you lost your tenn
per when we caught you at it? What
about it, Mr.. District Attorney"
Robinson stepped forward.
Nothing else to do, Mr.. Graham.
He's too slippery. I'll put him in a
safe place"
you mean," Paroles cried, that
you'll arrest me?"
You've guessed it. I'll lock you
up as a material witness"
Paroles swung on Bobby.
You'll permit this, Bobby? You'll
forget that l am a guest in your
house?"l
Bobby flushed.
"Why have you stayed? What
were you doing up there" Answer
those questions. Tell me what you
want" I
Paroles turned away. He took a
cigaret from his pocket and lighted
it. His fingers were not steady:
For the first time, it became evident
to Bobby, Paroles was afraid. Raw
Inns came back from the telephone.
He took in the tableau.
whats the rumpus"
"Run this man to Smithtown,'
Robinson directed. Lock him up,
and tell the judge, when he's ar
raigned in the morning, that | want
him held as a4material witness"
"He was at the hotel in Smith
town all right" Rawlins said.
He tapped Paroles arm;
"You coming on this little joy
ride like a lamb or a lion? Say,
you'll find the Jail about as COM
Portable as the New Hotel"
Paroles smiled. The evil and
dangerous light died in his eyes. He
became all at once easy and imper-
vious again.
Like lamb. How else?"
I'm sorry, Carlos" Bobby mutt
tered. eff you'd only say something!
If you'd only explain your move
ments! If you'd only really helpH
Again Paroles shrugged his
shoulders.
"Handcuffs?" he asked Rawlins.
I Rawlins ran his hands deity over
the Panamanian's clothing.