South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-16
WHAT CAN MRS. ALLIS'S
SCHEME REALLY BI


drink a cup of tea with her after her
from New York That there was
something more 10 her invitation
than what appeared upon the sur
face / was sure.
knew that she disliked me. Only
that morning ] had overheard her
say that she had a score 10 settle
with me. and the aversion l felt to-
ward her was intensified by the
I knowledge 1 Ossessed-fortunatel
unknown 20 her-of her scheme TO
purloin the valuable paintings in the
Cosgrove farmhouse parlor.
She was not asking me to drink
:ea with her from any desire for my
society knew that. Whatever her
motive might be I felt that I ought
TO try to discover it, [ felt foolishly
elated regular sleuth" as Dicky
would have expressed it-as / smiled
la pleasant response 10 her invitation.
Il shall be charmed, indeed" l said
/ May 1 come in a bathrobe?"
OF course" she smiled back. and
- imagined that l caught a CLINT of
and light up" She hesitated a mo-
ment. then added nonchalantly.
l"Would not your husband like a cup
Of tea, also?"
Has Dicky "Got IT,"
I'll ask him." l returned non
committally. but cordially. IF he
will, I'll bring him along with me-
Good" Mrs. Allis returned,
smiling brightly, ana went on into
her room opposite mine, leaving her
door ajar. closed mine. and going
swiftly into Dicky's room, told him
Of Mrs. Allis's invitation.
He gave a long. low whistle of
surprise, which I promptly smother
ed on his lips witt the palm of my
hand
Don't let her hear you" 1 ad-
mOnished in a whisper. Il have no
idea what she means by the invita-
ton, but | don't want her TO suspect
that we take it for anything save
what it appears on the surface"
Dicky nodded. pursed up his lips
as if about TO whistle again. and
stared at the ceiling for a long min
ute. 1t is a little mannerism or his
when he is thinking out some prob
lem, and / knew better than to dis
turb him.
She's up to something of
course" he said at last in a low muir
muir. and 1 hate to have you go into
her room or get mixed up with it at
all. OF course, there's nothing to
fear from her just now, but keep
your eyes peeled good and plenty
every minute you're with her. BY
/ George, I'll bet I've got it,"
Madge COnCcals Her Emotions.
Now remember TO say to her just
what I'm telling you" he whispered.
Tell her that I was almost asleep
when you came in. that 1 go TO sleep
| every evening early, and that when
do the trump of Gabriel wouldn't
waken me. Manage 10 tell her also
how we divide our rooms that l
sleep back here and you in front
You won't have 10 volunteer that
/ information-she'H ask you about it.
Answer all her questions you can,
encourage her 10 ask them. and re-
member carefully anything you tell
her Run along now, and get back
as soon as you can gracefully.
shan't so TO sleep until you come"
But. DicSy, what do YOU sus-
pect ?" I whispered. wildly excited.
Can't wait to explain now" he
retorted impatiently. Go along
quickly, so she won't suspect any
thing. III tell you everything about
it when you get back"
1 was afraid Mrs. Allis could hear
my heart beat as ! stepped into her
room. I was so thoroughly Jared
out of my usual routine that I could
hardly believe / was the same quiet
person who had come TO the Cos
grove farmhouse only the day be-
fore
But I am rather skillful at con-
cealng any emotion / may have, and
II do not think she suspected any
thing as she came smiling toward
me.
Mr.. Graham would not come ."
she queried.
He was so nearly asleep that I
could hardly make him understand
your invitation" l smiled back.
You see. the Seven Sleepers were
amateurs at the job compared to
I Mr.. Graham. Whenever he spends a
I day outdoors he always goes 10 bed
early goes 20 sleep almost as soon
as his head touches the pillow. and
the task Of waking him is one that
II long since gave up in despair.
When ne is really sound asleep 1 do
not believe bombardment would
waken him"
I was watching her narrowly as
spoke. and saw a distinct CLEAN of
satisfaction in her eyes. But her
only comment was made lightly
enough:
How fortunate TO have such
steady nerves and SO clear a con-
science, But do sit down"
she drew up an old-fashioned
rocker 10 the side OF "a small table
upon which tiny copper teakettle
stood over an alcohol lamp. There
was a kerosene lamp in wall
bracket. but it was not lighted. In
stead. candles in quaint candlesticks
Of varying patterns stood upon bu
reau. washstand and table. no.
ticed that over the bed a luxurious
strip o.. oriental embroidered silk