Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-28

there was an attempt to repeat the
trick we'd be ready. As for the
girl. it's simple enough to safeguard
against her getting away before
morning. As Mr.. Graham says, no
ones likely to run far in this Storm
anyway"
Robinson considered.
81 don't want to be hard" he said
finally, "and | don't want to miss
any chance Of cleaning up where
poor Howells failed"
He glanced at the extraordinary
array OF evidence. The good nature
which, one felt, should always have
been in his face, shone at last.
II don't believe you're guilty. As
far as you're concerned it's likely
enough put-up job. | don't know
about the girl. &c. ahead, anyway,
and tell US, if you can, how thu
locked room was entered. Explain
the mystery of that old man who
looks as if he were dead, but who
moves around and talks with us"
"The answer, if it's anywhere"
Bobby said, us in the old room"
Robinson nodded.
Under the conditions it seems
worth while. Go on then and clear
your cousin and yourself if you can.
You have unU daylight tomor-
row."
Bobby's gratitude was sufficiently
eloquent in his eyes, but he said
nothing. He hurried from the room
to find Katherine. As soon as he
had stepped in the corridor he saw
her figure against the wall.
katherine" he breathed.
give heard everything" she said.
He led her to the main hall where
the greedy ears in her bedroom
couldn't overhear them.
Then you suspected what they
were about?" he asked her.
Uncle Silas." she answered,
seemed just as he had been when /
went upstairs. so | wondered, and I
remembered l. had left my door I'M
locked"
Then you knew those things were
there?"
Heriac was white. She trembled.
Her words came jerkily:
of course I didn't. I only kept
my door locked because they had
searched 50 thoroughly before. It
was all humiliation | couldn't bear
to face again"
you don't know" he asked, "who
took that stuff from Howells; who
hid it in your bureau?"
The trembling Of her slender body
became more pronounced. Sha
spoke through chattering teeth:
Bobby Why do you ask such
things? You believe I'm guilty az
you thought was the woman in
black. You think now, because thoss
things were in my bureau-"
stop, Katherine! You won't an.
swer me?"
NO" she said, backing away
from him. But you are going to
answer HE. We have come to that
point already. Just All hour or two
of trust, and then this It's the Ce-
dars forcing us apart as it did when
we had our quarrel. Only this tina
it, is definite. Do you think I'm
guilty Of these atrocious crimes, or
don't you? Everything for us de-
ponds on your answer. and I'll know
whether you are telling me the
truth"
Then" he said, "why should
answer"
And he took her in his arms and
held her close.
She didn't cry. but for a moment
she ceased trembling, and her teeth
no longer chartered.
MY DEAR he said, "even il YOU
had hidden that evidence. I'd have
known it was to protect me-"
Then she cried little, and for
moment, even in the unmercifuf
grasp of their trouble, they were
nearly happy. The footsteps Of the
others in the corridor recalled them.
katherine leaned against the table,
drying her eyes. Graham, Rob.
inson, and Rawlins walked into the
hall.
"Hellop Robinson said II sup
pose that isn't an unfair advantage.
Mr.. Blackburn. Still, I'd rather she
hadn't been told" ..