South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-25

won't you tell me what you were
doing?"
only keeping Rawlins from try
ing TO make more mischief" era
ham answered.
He wouldn't explain.
Aren't there enough riddles in
this house2" Doctor Groom asked
with frank disapproval.
Rawlins and Robinson Joined
them, sparing Graham a further
defense. The district attorney had
an air of fresh resolution. He was
about 10 speak when the front door
opened quietly. framing the black
ness of the court. They started for
ward. seeing no one.
Silas Blackburn made "A slow,
shrinking movement, crying out:
They've opened the door Don't
let them in. Don't let them come
near me again"
Although they knew Paroles had
been in the court the spell of the
Cedars was so heavy upon them
that for a moment they didn't know
what 10 expect They hesitated
with a little OF the abnormal appre-
hension. Silas Blackburn exposed
Then Rawlins sprang forward, and
Bobby called:
"Carlosl"
Paroles stepped from one side. He
fingered against the black back
ground of the doorway. 1t was
plain enough something was wrong
with him. In the first place, al
though he had opened the door, he
had been unwilling to enter.
Shut the door" Silas Black urn
moaned.
Paroles, with a quiet gesture Of
surrender, stepped in and obeyed.
His face was white He had lost his
immaculate appearance His cloth
ing showed stains of snow and
mould. He held his left hand be-
hind his back.
What's the matter with you?"
Robinson demanded.
The Panamanian's laugh lacked
its usual indifference.
When ! said the Cedars was full
OF ghosts / should have needed my
own warning. 1 might better have
stayed comfortably locked up in
Smithtown."
Silas Blackburn spoke in a hoarse
whisper:
What did YOU see out there? Are
they coming"
Il saw very little" Paroles an
swered. 1T was too dark"
You saw something" Doctor
Groom rumbled.
Paroles nodded. He looked at the
floor.
"A woman in black"
by the lake," Bobby cried
Not as far as the lake. It was
near the empty grave"
Silas Blackburn commenced to
shake again. The doctors little
eyes were wider
'It was a woman 1esh-and-
blood woman? ?" Robinson asked.
IF il was a ghost" Paroles an
swered. cit had the power of attack:
but that. as your recall. is by no
means unusual here. That's why
I've come in rather against my will.
IL seems strange, but I too. have
been struck by a sharp and slender
object, and I thought, perhaps, the
doctor had better look at the result"
With a motion of repugnance he
moved his left hand from behind his
back and stretched it to the light.
The coat below the elbow was torn.
The slender hand was crimson. He
tried 10 smile.
Luckily it wasn't at the back of
my head
sit down" Doctor Groom said.
waving Robinson and Rawlins away.
Let me see how badly he's hurt.
There'll be plenty Of time for oues-
tons afterward"
Paroles lay back in one of the
chairs and extended his arm. He
kept his eyes closed while the doctor
stopped, examining the wound. All
at once his nearly perpetual sleep
| lessness since coming TO the Cedars
had recorded itself in mis- face. His
nerves at last confessed their vilner-
ability as he fumbled for a cigaret
with his good hand, rs ne placed it
awkardly between his lips.
Would YOU mind giving me
light. Bobby"
Bobby struck a match and held il
TO the cigaret
Thanks Paroles said. Are you
nearly through. doctor? I daresay
it's nothing"
Doctor Groom glanced up.
Nothing serious with little luck
It's only torn through "A muscle. II
might have pierced the large vein"
His forehead beneath the shaggy
black hair was deeply lined. He
turned TO Robinson doubtfully.
Maybe you'n tell US" Robinson
said. what made the wound"
! NO use Sinking facts" the doc
tor rumbled Mr. Paroles has
been wounded just as he said. by
something sharp ard slender"
You mean" Robinson said. "by
an instrument that could have caused
death in the case of Howells and
/ and"
Il won't have YOU looking at me
that way" Silas Blackburn whined
Yes" the doctor answered. Be
! fore we go any farther I want TO
i bind this arm There must be an