Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-26
The AbandonedRoonn
BY Wadsworth Camp

SAsS SoAAAf
| ed after them. Graham caught him
and they crossed the dining room
together.
What do they mean to do?" Bob
by asked.
81 have been afraid of it since this
afternoon" Graham answered. Il
haven't cared to talk about it. l had
hoped to hold them off. They in
tend to search Katherine's room.
think they believe she has something
Important hidden there. I've been
wondering if they've, got track of
Howells' report which we told Jen-
kins to hide"
why" Bobby asked, Should that
involve Katherine?"
"Howells may have written some
thing damaging to her. He knew
she was devoted to your interests"
Robinson called to them from the
library.
| won't you please come in, Mr..
Blackburn"
Bobby and Graham continued to
the library. They found Rawlins
gazing through the door of the pri-
vate staircase.
I'VE could 60 up this way he
was saying, "and across the old
room, so that she needn't suspect"
What is he talking about?" Bob
by asked Robinson angrily.
'You wanted to help" Robinson
answered, so Rawlins and I are 60
ing to give you a chance. We are
about to search your cousins room.
We hope to find there an explana-
zion of part OF the mystery-the
motive, at least, for Howells' death;
perhaps your own exoneration. You
would do anything to have that,
wouldn't you? You've said So"
"At her expense!" Bobby cried.
You've no right to 60 to her room.
She's incapable of a share in such
crimes. Do you seriously think she
could plan an escape from the grave
and bring back to life man three
days dead?"
"Give me human being that
caused DEATH" Robinson answered,
land I'll tackle the ghosts later.
You're wrong if you think I'm going
to quit cold because your grand
father looks like a dead thing tina
moves about and talks. I shan't
give up to that madness until I've
done everything in my power. I
would be criminal myself if failed
to do as Rawlins wishes. If your
cousins skirts are clear, no harm
will be done. I'm acting on the as
sumption that your confession was
honest. | want you TO get Miss
Perrine out of her room. want
you to see that she stays downstairs
while we search"
you've already searched her
ROOM"
"Not since Rawlins-"
Robinson caught himself.
Never mind that. 1t is necessary
it should be searched tonight. Even
you'll acknowledge it's significant
that all day when she has been
downstairs her door has been
locked"
"It's only significant" Bobby
flashed "in view of your treatment
of her yesterday"
Robinson grinned.
THAT will hardly 60 down. Raw
,ins has hesitated to break in. I've
instructed him to do so now, if nee
essary. For the last time, will you
bring your cousin down? Will you
go through and unlock the door |
leading from the old room to the
private hall so we can get up"
NO. Bobby cried, 81 wouldn't do |
it if I believed you were right. And |
| know you're wrong"
"Prove that we're wrong. Clear
your cousin by helping u.s. Robin
son urged.
'"Since you're so determined" Ora
ham said quietly, "I'll do it."
"Hartly! What are you thinking
of"
"Of showing them how wrong |
they are" Graham answered. "I'll |
tell her DR.. Groom wishes to speak |
to her about Mr.. Blackburn. |
I'll warn him to keep her downstairs |
for a quarter of an hour. That
should give you plenty Of time"
e Robinson nodded. |
She'll never forgive you," Bobby
said, cts spying"
He wondered that Graham should |
choose such a course so soon after |
it had become clear that Katherine
had never really loved him.
cts the best way to satisfy them"
Graham said. 81 have, perhaps. |
more faith than you in Katherine"
He left them to carry out Robin
sons instructions. They waited at
the entrance of the private staircase.
Continued Tomorrow