Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-09

Eo6by accepted greedily this op.
portunity to find Katherine, to learn
| from her. undisturbed, what had hap
renea in the house that morning,
the meaning, perhaps, OF her des-
pairing gesture. When, in response
to his knock, she opened her door
and stepped into the corridor he
guessed her despair had been an ex-
preston of the increased strain. OF
her helplessness in face of Robin
sons harsh determination.
"He questioned me for an hour"
she said, principally about the heel
mark in, the court. They cling to
that, because l don't think they've
found anything new at the lake"
"You don't know anything about
it, do you, Katherine2 You weren't
there? You didn't do that for me?"
Il wasn't there, Bobby. honest
ly don't know any more about it
than you do"
Carlos was in the court" he
unused. Did you know they'd taken
him? We found him creeping down
the private stairway"
There was a hard quality about
her gratitude.
Il am glad, Bobby. The man
makes me shudder, and all morning
they seemed more interested in you
than in him. They've rummaged
every room-even mine"
She laughed feverishly.
That's why I've been so upset,
They seemed"
She broke off. She picked at her
handkerchief. After a moment she
looked him frankly in the eyes and
continued: "They seemed alm>-.
as doubtful of me as of you"
He recalled Paroles suspicion of
the girl
ITS nonsense, Katherine. And
I'm to blame for that, too"
She put her finger to her lips. Her
smile was wistful.
Hush! You mustn't blame your
self. You mustn't think of that"
Again her solicitude, their isola-
ton in a darkened place, tempted
him, aroused impulses nearly ire
sistible. Her slender figure, the
pretty face, grown familiar and more
desirable through all these years,
swept him to harsher revolt than
he had conquered in the library
In the face of Graham, in spite of
his own intolerable position he knew
he couldn't fight that truth eternally.
She must have noticed his struggle
without grasping its cause, for she
touched his hand, and the wistful-
ness o. her expression increased.
II wish you wouldn't think of me,
Bobby. It's you we must all think
Of"
He accepted with a cold dsmay
the sisterly anxiety of her attitude.
1t made his remuneration easier. He
walked away.
why do you go?" she called after
him.
He gestured vaguely without
turning.
He didn't see her again until din
ner time. She was as silent then as
she had been the night before when
Howells had sat with them, his
moroseness yelling a sharp interest
in the plan that was to lead to his
death. Robinsons mood was very
different He talked a great deal,
making no effort to hide his irrita-
ton. His failure to find any clue in
the private staircase after Paroles
arrest had clearly stimulated his in
terest in Bobby. The sharp little
eyes, surrounded by puffy flesh, held
a threat for him. Bobby was glad
when the meal ended
Howells' body was taken away
that night. 1t was a relief for all
of them to know that the old room
was empty again.
II daresay you won't sleep there"
Graham said to Robinson.
Robinson glanced at Bobby.
mot as things stand" he an
swered "The library lounge is
plenty good enough for me tonight"
Graham went upstairs with Bob
by. There was no question about
his purpose. He wouldn't repeat
last nights mistake.
"At least" he said, when the door
was closed behind them, II can see
if you do get up and wander about
IN your sleep. I'D bet a good deal
that you won't"
IF | did it would be an indica-
tion?"
Granted it's your custom, what
is there to tempt you tonight"
Bobby answered, half jesting:
you've not forgotten Robinson
on the library sofa. The man isn't
exactly working for me. Tonight
he seems almost as unfriendly as
Howells was"
He yawned.
81 ought to sleep now if ever. I've
eldom>-been so tired. Two such
nights. >
He hesitated.
"But l am glad you're here, Hart
ley. | can go to sleep with a more
comfortable feeling"
Don't worry" Graham said.
You'll sleep quietly enough, and
we'll all be better for a good rest"
For only little while they talked
of the mystery. While Graham re-
GREETED his failure to find any trace
of Maria, their voices dwindled
sleepily. Bobby recalled his last
thought before losing himself last
night. He tried to force from his
mind now the threat in Robinson's
eyes. He told himself again and
again that the man wasn't actually
unfriendly. Then the blackness en-
circled him. He slept.
Almost at once, il seemed to him,
he was fighting away, demanding
drowsily:
What's the matter? Leave me
alone"
He heard Graham's voice, unnat-
urany subdued and anxious.
What are you doing, Bobby?"