The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-04-20
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What Msdgss Thoughts Convinced Her
Was q Fact.
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n URIOSlTY is not one Of my be-
l setting sins, but | must confess
that as walked homo from Mrs
Durkee's there was but one thought In
my mind, and that an overwhelming de-
sire to catch a glimpse Of the men who
had thrown so much mystery about their
renting Of her house.
For her description OF the man she
had seen tailed exactly with the ap-
pearance Of the foreigner, real or pre-
tended whom | had seen in a taxi next
to mine during a blockade OF Fifth
avenue, and in whose eyes, hauntingly
familiar ! was sure ! had caught a
glance Of startled recognition
Mrs Durkee had sald that the man
had told her he had with him his
uncle an elderly invalid" remem-
bered the swAthed, huddled figure | had
seen in the taxi. the figure which had
raised itself evidently to look at me,
and had been pushed back with every
evidence OF quick dismay upon the
part Of the first man
II was a prepoSterous thing, OF course,
that any one who knew me should be
coming disguised 10 the house next
mine But ! was getting used to the
bizarre, the unusual, thought. a Bit
wearily that after my adventures Of
the week preceding my return home
from Lillian's | wouldn't be surprised
at anything in the world that might
hapyn to me.
There might be a very real menace
also in the presence Of these mysterious
men in the house next uoor 20 me.
Hidden securely in the odd Chinese vase
IN my room was the important paper
which my father had sent to Allen
Drake through me, and which Mr.
Drake. after decipheIing the code II
contained had given back to me, eharg
ing me to keep il safely until il should
be required OF me.
A Stern Determination.
! didn't understand in the least what
possible reason there could be for some
OF the arrangements which had been
made for the transfer aid keeping Of
this mysterious code. Why my father
should have allowed so long a time 20
elapSe between the day he sent il 20
me and his cable message instructing
It delivered to Allen Drake, or why,
when Allen Drake had once deciphered
il, he hadn't destroyed il instead OF Civ
ing il back to me. These we're questions
over which | had puzzled my brain
considerably, and the answers TO which
| had given up solving OF two things
| was sure. was guarding the paper,
and the clique OF enemy spies, in
which Grace Draper was a leading
spirit, would stop at nothing to secure
it il they knew il were in my possession.
Suppose they had found out had the
paper, and suppose the mysterious men
who were to be my neighbors we're the
emissaries sent to secure Il The
thought made me shiver, although the
day was balmy. The cunosity which
had been aroused by Mrs. Durkees mar
rative changed to stern determination
to meet my new neighborS face to face
dS bOOn ds NOuiu UidhdRt 10 uO So
an Just Do That"
This was something easier planned
than accomplished, however The mys-
terious lessee had made another condi-
tion with Mrs. Durkee, one which had
annoyed her inquisitive soul
81 think it's a shameW she had
pouted. I'm not TO get another glimpse
of them. But one of the stipulations he
made was that | and my personal be-
longings should be out Of the house be-
fore they arrive The Japanese servant
will reach here a day ahead Of the
others, and I'm to give the keys to him,
and then depart, bag and baggage. NY
handsome foreigner explained this by
saying that his uncle was exceedingly
nervous, and couldn't bear a chance
encounter with strangers. But I'm
beginning to think its mighty fishy
myself do hope they're not criminals
in hiding. Why, Madge, they may
have murdered somebody and be bring
ing the body home in a trunk to bury
in my gardenl"
Her eyes-round as a Startled child's
had held the beginning OF real ap-