Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-25
CHAPTER VII-(Continued)

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been made to look so much like a
natural death, that he'd come out
here some time today, expecting 20
carry it off. l wanted to 60 to the
station, anyway, to find out if he'd
been seen coming through last night
or early this morning. While l was
talking to the station agent | had
my one piece of luck. | couldn't be-
lieve my eyes. Mr.. Robert walks
up from the woods. He'd been hid
ing around the neighborhood all the
time. Probably had missed his
handkerchief and decided he'd bet
ter not take any chances. Yet it
must have seemed pretty sure
thing that the station wouldn't be
watched, and it's those nervy things,
doing the obvious, that skilful rim
inals get away with all the time.
needed only one look at him, and
had the answer to the mystery of
the footprints. l gave him plenty
of time to come here and change
his clothes, then l manoeuvered him
out of his room and went there and
found the pumps he'd~worn last
night and today. You see, they'd be
little smaller than his ordinary
shoes. Not only did they fit the
footprints exactly, but they were
stained with soil exactly like that
in the court. There you are sir, I've
made plaster cast of one of the
prints. I've got it here in my poe
ket where intend to keep it un..l
clear the whole case up and turn
in my report"
Graham's tone was shocked and
discouraged.
What more do you want? Why
haven't you arrested him?"
No good detective would ask
that, Mr.. Graham. | want my re.
port clean. The coroner will tell
us how the old man was killed. l
want to tell how young Blackburn
got into that room. One of the
windows was raised trifle, but
that's no use. I've figured on the
outside of the wing until I'm dizzy.
There's no way up for a normal
man. An orangoutang would make
hard work of it. His latch key
would have let him into the house,
and it would have been simple
enough for him to find out that the
old man had changed him room. I've
got to find out how he got past
those doors. locked on the inside"
He chuckled again.
almost like a sleep-walker's
work"
Bobby shivered. Was that where
the evidence pointed? Already the
net was too finely woven. The de-
tective continued earnestly:
I'm figuring on some scheme to
make him show me the way. I've
sort of plan for tonight, but it's
only chance"
"What?' Graham asked.
"Oh. no SIR Howells laughed.
You'll learn about that when the
time comes"
Il don't understand you" Ora
ham said. You're sure of your
man but you keep no close watch
on him. Do you know where he is
now"
Haven't the slightest idea. Mr..
Graham"
whats to prevent his running
away?'
I'm offering him every opportu-
nifty. He wouldn't get far, and I've
feeling that if he confessed by
running he'd break down and give
up the whole thing. You've no idea
how it frets me, Mr.. Graham. I've
got my man practically in the chair,
but from a professional point of
view it isn't a pretty piece of work
until find out how he got in and
out of that room. The thing seems
impossible, and yet here we are,
knowing that he did it. Well, may
be III find out tonight. Hello!'
The door opened. Bobby from
his hiding place could see Paroles
on the threshold, yawning and hold
ing cigarette in his fingers.
Here you are" he said drowsily.
1--WE just been in the court. 1t
made me seek company. That
courts too damp. Mr.. Detective"
His laugh was lackadaisical.
when the sun leaves it, the court
seems full of unfriendly things
what the ignorant would call ghosts.
I'm Spanish and l know"
The detective grunted.
Funny Paroles went on. "Ob-
servation doesn't seem to interest
you. I'd rather fancied it might"
He yawned again and put his
cigarette to his lips. Putting placidly,
he turned and left.
What do you suppose he means
by that?" the detective said to
Graham.
Without waiting for an answer he
Graham went after him. Bobby
threw back the rug and arose. For
moment he was as curious as the
others as to Paredes's intention. He
slipped across the dining room. The
hall was deserted. The front door
stood open. From the court came
| Paredes's voice, even, languid, Who'll
ly without expression:
mean to tell me you don't react
to the proximity of unaccountable
forces here, Mr.. Howells?"
The detectives laugh was dis
agreeable.
you trying to make fool of me
That isn't healthy"
As Bobby hurried across the hall
and up the stairs he heard Paroles
answer:
You should speak to Doctor
Groom. He says this place i toe
crowded by the unpleasant past
| Bobby climbed out of hearing. He
entered his bedroom and locked the
door. He resented Paredes's words
and attitude which he defined as
studied to draw humour out of &
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