South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-02

saw that the man had discarded his
intolerant temper. From that change
he drew a new hope. He accepted
ii as the beginning OF fulflment of
his prophecy last night that an ac-
cident to Howells and the entrance
Of a new man into the case would
give him a fighting chance. 1t was
clearly Paroles at the moment who
dlled the district attorneys mind.
Go after him." he said shortly
to Rawlins. IF you can get away
with it bring him back and whoever
you find with him"
Rawlins hesitated.
I'm no coward. but know
what's happened 10 Howells. This
isn't an ordinary case. 1 don't want
20 walk into an ambush. 1t would
be safer not to run him down alone"
An right" Robinson agreed, II
don't care 20 leave the Cedars for
the present Perhaps Mr.. Ora
ham"
But Graham wasn't enthusiastic.
1t never occurred to Bobby that he
was afraid. Graham. he guessed. de-
sired to remain near Katherine.
III go, if you like" DR.. Groom
rumbled.
1t was probable that Graham's in
stinct to stay had sprung from serv-
ice rather than sentiment. The man,
it was reasonable, sought to protect
Katherine FROM the Cedars itself
and from Robinson's too direct
methods of examination. AS an anti
dote for his unwelcome jealousy
Bobby offered himself to Rawlins.
Would you mind if l came. too2
I've known Paroles long time"
Robinson sneered.
What do you think of that. Raw
Inns ?"
But the detective stepped close
and whispered in the district attor-
ney's ear.
"All right" Robinson said. GO
with 'em. if you want, Mr.. Black
burn"
And Bobby knew that he would
go. not TO help, but to be watched.
The others strayed toward the
house. The three men faced the en-
trance of the path alone.
"No more loud talk now" the de-
tective warned. "If he went on tiptOe
so can We"
Even with this company Bobby
shrank from the dark and restless
forest With a smooth skill the de-
tective followed the unfamiliar path.
From time to time he stopped close
TO the ground. shaded his lamp with
his hand. and pressed the control.
Always the light verified the pres
ence of Paroles ahead of them.
Bobby knew they were near the
stagnant lake. The underbrush was
thicker. They went with more care
to limit the sound of their passage
among the trees. And each moment
the physical surroundings of the
pursuit increased Bobby's doubt of
Paroles. No ordinary impulse would
bring a man 10 such a place in this
black hour before the dawn-par-
ticulatly Paroles. who spoke con-
stantly of his superstitious nature.
who advertised a Thoroughbred
fear OF the Cedars. The Panaman-
ian's decision TO remain, his lack of
emotion before the tragic success
sion of events at the house, his at
tempt TO enter the corridor just be-
fore Bobby had gone himself to
the old room for the evidence, his
desire 70 dirct suspicion against
Katherine finally this excursion in
response to the eeric crying. all
suggested a definite. perhaps a dan
gerous. purpose in the brain of the
serene and inscrutable man.
They slipped TO the open space
about the lake. The moon barely
distinguished for them the fiat, mel
ancholy stretch of water. They lis
tened breathlessly. There was no
sound beyond the normal STRINGS
Of the forest Bobby had a feeling
similar 10 the afternoons, that he
was watched. He tried unsuccessful
ly 10 penetrate the darkness across
the lake where he had fancied the
woman skulking. The detectives
keen senses were satisfied.
Dollars 10 doughnuts they're not
here. They've probably gore on. I'll
have to take a chance and show the
light again"
Fresh footprints were revealed in
the narrow circle of illumination.
Testifying 10 Paroles continued
stealth they made a straight line to
the waters edge. RawIins ex-
claimed:
HE stepped into the lake. How
deep is it?"
The black surface OF the water
seemed to Bobby like an Opaque
glass. hiding sinister things. Sup
pose Paroles. instead of coming TO
rendezvous. had been led?
It's deep enough in the center. -
he answered.
shallow around the edges?"
Quite"
Then ne knew we were after
him." Groom said.
Rawlins nodded and ran his light
along the shore. a few yards 10 the
right a ledge OF smooth rock stretch
ed from the water 10 a grove OF pine
trees. The detective arose and turn
ed of his light.
Hes blocked u.s." he said. HE
knew he Wouldn't leave his marks
on the rocks or the pine needles.
No way 10 guess his direction now"
DR.. Groom cleared his throat.
With a hesitant manner he recited
the discovery OF the queer light in
the deserted house. its unaccounta-