Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-15
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over to see it by chance a key was
In the lock on the other side of the
door. Before she secured a good look
at the hole the door was jerked open
and Evelyn precipitated into the arms
of her stepfather.
Peter Burnham regarded her in 81.
lent indignation as she recovered her
balance and released her hold Of his
arm which she had instinctively clung
to for support.
What is the meaning of this" he
demanded and his voice betrayed his
excitement.
II was trying to see if the door
was locked on the inside" Evelyn
was a trifle breathless as we'll as con-
sumed with inward fury at having
been caught in so ignominious posi-
tion by her stepfather. Il had no idea
YOU were in the room"
'Oh, you hadn't" Burnham showed
his hands deep in the pockets of his
dressing gown well, If you must
know, came in to find out what you
were doing in here. Don't deny you
were here" as she started to speak.
IL heard you from my bedroom and
came in to investigate"
"You did not hear me-" Evelyn
retorted. Mrs Ward was in here.
Mrs. Ward" Burnham turned and
gazed uneasly about the room. and
back at Evelyn. What was she do.
ing here?"
"She said she came in to straighten
the room" Evelyn paused in her con-
temptation of Burnham and also
glanced about the room. Mrs. Ward
had evidently arranged the shades and
curtains so as to darken the library,
and Evelyn, her eyes accustomed to
the sun.lit hail. made out the familiar
objects with some difficulty. II hope
Mrs. Ward did not dust" sne added
as Burnham kept silent. Detective
Mitchell expressly stated we were not
to dust in here"
"And pray where have you seen
MITCHELL" asked Burnham quickly.
Here" meeting his irate gaze
calmly. "The detective spends a great
: deal of time in and about the house.
Don't you think you had better go
back to bed?"
Burnham muttered something she
did not catch. Have you seen that
jackass, Jones?" he asked in a louder
key.
YES, he is looking for mother
Evelyns eyes were growing more
used to the light and she saw that
drawer of the desk table was opened,
and an overturned scrap.basket lay
on the floor near at hand. why did
you lock the library door,"
ITO prevent intrusions," replied
Burnham shortly. THE police have
ordered this room closed; very well,
it shall remain closed. Please notify
Mrs. Ward to that effect, and also
kindly tell Jones to bring me my
clothes. I'll" coughing spell inter-
rupted him. Tell Jones I'll discharge
him If he doesn't" he added 80 soon
as he could speak. ALSO ask him
il he sent that telephone for Doctor
Hayden"
"I heard him do that" volunteered
Evelyn. THE doctor said he would be
in after his morning Office hours were
over"
"Oh, all right" Burnham moved
to the desk and picked up a pencil
sharpener from among the brass orna-
ments lying about. Hurry, Evelyn,
and send Jones to my room with my
clothes"
But Evelyn did not start at once on
her errand: there was a feverish anx-
iety about Burnham which puzzled
her. His explanation of mis- presence
In the room was plausible; it was
natural impulse to look in the library
IL he heard any one moving about in
the room closed by order of the cor
oner. and perfectly proper to lock the
door to prevent others entering. But
why had he not looked into the hall
ON first entering the library to see who
had left the room? Why wait nearly
ave minutes, for that time at least had
elapsed while she. Evelyn. had engaged
the housekeeper in conversation, be-
fore Jerking open the door? And why
select the moment when she and not
: Mrs. Ward was standing before IT.?
Come to think of 1t, she had ratified the
knob In trying to open the door; Of
course, that would attract surnham's
attention and cause him to ind out
who was trying to enter. Satisfied
with the sudden solution which had
occurred to her, Evelyn woke up to
the fact that Burnham was humping
neryously on the door which he held
invitingly open.
"Hurry; hurry" he reiterated, and
Evelyn sped out of the room.
Burnham waited moment after
closing the hall door and locking II
securely. then taking out his bunch
Of keys he slipped the key on it's silver
ring and dropped them back in his
pocket. Next he hurried over to tht
desk and gathered some papers from
the drawer. closed 1t. picked up th'
scrap basket and placed II under tn,
desk, and taking pocket chess boarc
Z from the table he returned to his bed
room through the communicating
door. closing II carefully behind him
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