The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-12

point I stopped to survey myself in
that absurdly decoIete dinner-gown of
mine, and realized that it would never
do. So scrambled out Of my clothes.
slipped on a night dress, and poked my
toes into my heliotrope-tinte bedroom
slippers. Then I laced on my chamois
gun holster and nested the cold-metaled
automatic in its hiding place close in
against my floating ribs. Then over the
night-dress I flung my accordion
pleated ne0Iioe OF briar-rose pink crepe
de chine hanging from a sleeveless
yoke-body with a kirnono cape OF Geor-
gette crepe. For this, realized, was
more to the purpose. In the first place.
1t carried an air of innocent unpre-
paredness. And in the second place, its
ample folds made an altogether salts
factory screen for anything I might
wish to carry in the FELLOWSHIP. Then
folded up that same FELLOWSHIP.
tucked it under my arm. and switched
out my lights again. Then I crept forth
on my soft-soled slippers to the hall
way. closed the door, and made my way
silently down through the deserted
house.
didn't stop until I came to the study
that held the wall-safe. Once there, I
closed the door. threw on the lights,
swung back the carved mahogany panel,
and spun the dial OF the combination
lock which held shut the ponderous
inner door of the vault.
Everything there. I saw as soon as
the safe was open, remained still I'M
disturbed. Benchley, remembered, had
taken charge Of the bulhier wedding
| gifts, the more cumbersome silver and
cut-glass and plate. But the Jewels were
still in the wall-safe. But If Citrate
4 -
had entered it for only one purpose.
And remembering his purpose. I knew
that it would be this same wall
to which he would direct his attention.
| So carefully and silently lifted those
jewels out Of the vault and dropped
them into my. FELLOWSHIP. When the
safe was quite empty I closed and
locked the door again, and swung shut
the carved panel. Once I had piloted
my way to the hall of the guest-wing
fel still surer Of myself, for at the end
Of this hall I could see the relieving
soft glow of the night-night.
AS I started down the lighted
hallway I saw that door Of mine quietly
open and the figure Of a man. crouch
ing low. essay to step out. But without
even lifting his head as far as could
see, he became conscious Of my ad-
vance. So just as quietly and just as
stealthily he withdrew again, softly clos
! ing the door after him.
I had not seen that mans face. But
I knew that no honest man comes out
Of a room in any such manner.
Why 1 did as I did I don't exactly
know, for had the choice of at least
two courses before me. On my left, 1
remembered, was Winkfred Ealand's
room. not twenty steps away.
! ON nv right orrOsifa mi {afr
door, was Admiral Trevor Ferris's. With
out stopping a minute, stepped silently
to Ferris's bedroom door, quietly turned
the knob, and stepped inside.
I stood there for a second or two,
staring through the darkness.
Then I closed the door behind me.
This, apparently, was not accomplished
in utter silence, for the next moment I
found myself challenged by a voice
from the bed.
who's that?"
I'm Miss Rymal," answered in a
very timorous and childish sort of pipe.
Whats wrong?"
Something very serious" I replied
as steadily as I could. heard the
faint sharp click OF a button-switch
The next moment I found myself blink
ing at the unexpected light. And in
the center Of that light, sitting up in
bed with a cream-colored suit OF
pajamas making his ruddy face look
ruddier than ever. was Ferrie himself
What have you got there?" he de-
manded. for he had plainly caught sight
Of the FELLOWSHIP dangling down be-
meath my kimono cape.
About half a million dollars worth
Of the brides jewelry," told him. with
out turning a hair.
And what are you doing with them?'
Trying to take care OF them" was
my answer.
7 told him about catching sight OF
rCurate Sam, about the phone wires
being dead, about finding my contact
mat circuit disconnected. and about the
stranger who'd just tried to steal out Of
my room.
Ferrie slipped out Of bed as 1 talked
and wriggled into a gown.
But what do you intend doing?" HI
asked. as he crossed to the dresser.
drawer and pulled 1t open.
That's what I wanted to ask you,
said, as I watched him take out 6
misunderstanding six-shooter with al
ebony handle.
I'm going back to your room will
you" he declared, and the way that HI
stood there ready to help me gave ms
/ Nle courage TO turn quietly ABOUT an(
open the door a foot or two for the pur.
pose OF investigating the lay Of tn,
land.
As did so I gulped audibly Fol
there, Immediately across from the door
way was my winkiei
He was in sky-blue paJamas Of China
, silk with big frogs Of ultramarine dow1
the front Over these he wore a rathel
} bob-tained dressing down of old rose
) which had plainly been tied together IL
, a hurry, so that it didn't quite meet II
front and hung with hike.
! But that was all had time to TAX,
in, for as soon as was able to catcl
: my breath I promptly and silentl,
swung that door shut again.
What is it?" asked the uncompre
/ bending Ferrie, naturally enough a It'll
+ puzzled by my unexpected right about
E face.
/ I've Just had an idea" desperatel,
= explained.