South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-16
The a bandoned Room
A Mystery Story by Wads-
worth Camp.
(CONTIN CED.)
SYNOPSIS.


abandoned and locked room OF his home,
TIE CeCaFs. CirCumst1ntial evi 4 nee
points TO he guilt OF Bobby, who is IN
able 20 establish sn slibi a. a result %
loss ~ memory after a night 81 gay
I've IN New York. spent Ia company
or Pafaues, from Panama, and Marie.
sfaa-sh woman. Re sWsses 10 q de-
ser ed shack near the cedaTs and goes
20 TIE house, where he meets his cousin,
kat1Crine, ard Graham. q friend All
sgcee .bat mystery surrounds the death
OF tee u.d nan. who was one OF many
h'arbbor1s ~ Gie IN aaine manner.
Strange sigSs Invariably mark lie occa-
sioE x teGch IN the oooIn.
They ali looked at each other, IN
able 20 forecast anything OF Black
burns experiences; for both doors
had been locked when the body
had been found. Granted life, how
would it have been possible for ST.
las Blackburn 10 have left the room
TO commence his period. OF drowsi-
ness2 An explanation of that should
also unveil the criminals route in
and out.
The tensity Of the little group in
creased. but no one interpOsed the
obvious question. Robinson was
right. 1t would be quicker TO let
the protagonist of this unbelievable
adventure rzcite its details in his
own fashion Paroles ran his slender
fingers gropingly over the faces of
several Of the cards he had picked
up.
When 1 got in bed" Silas Black
burn continued. Il thought I'd let
the candle burn for cOmpany's sake,
but there was a wind, and it came
in the open window, and il made
the queerest black shadows dance
all over the walls until 1 couldn't
stand it a minute longer. blew the
candle out and lay back i'm the
dark"
He drew harshly on his cold pipe.
He looked at fit with an air of sur
prise, and slipped it in his pocket.
1T was the funniest darkness.
didn't like t.. You put your hand
out and closed your fingers as if you
could feel it. But 1t wasn't all black.
either. Some moonlight came in with
the wind between the curtains. Ii
wasn't exactly yellow. and it wasn't
white. After a little il seemed alive,
and l wouldn't look at it any more.
The only way i could stop myself
was TO shut my eyes. and that was
worse, for it made me recollect my
father the way saw him lying there
when ] was a boy. God grant none
of you will ever have to see any
thing like that. Then / seemed to
see Katy's father, too; and I re-
membered his screams. The room
got thick with things like that
with those two. and with a lot Of
others come out of the picture and
the stories I've heard about my
family"
His experience when he had gone
to the room to take the evidence
from Howells' body became active
in Bobby's memory.
There / lay with my eyes shut"
Silas Blackburn went on in his
strange inquirng voice. And yet L
seemed to see those dead people all
around me. and 1 thought they were
in pain again, and were mad at me
because 1 didn't do anything. l guess
maybe 1 must 'a'been doing a little,
for I thought"
He broke off. He raised his hand
slowly and pointed in the direction
of the overgrOwn cemetery where
they had seen his coffin covered
that noon. His voice was lower and
harsher when he continued:
Il thought 1 heard them say
that things were all broken out
there. and--and awful-so awful
they couldn't stay"
Il amt going 70 tell you what /
dreamed. 1t was too horrible. but
/ made up my mind 1 would do what
l could if l ever escaped from that
room. II was afraid they'd take
me back with them underneath
those broken stones. And you-you
stand there trying 30 tell me that
they did"
He paused again, looking around
with a more defiant glare In his
bloodshot eyes. He appeared TO be
surprised not to find them laughing
at him.
What's the matter with you all %
he cried. why amt you making me
out a fool? You seen something in
that room, too"
Go on" Robinson urged What
happened then? What did you do ?"
Blackburn's voice resumed it's
throaty monotone. As he spoke he
glanced about slyly. suspecting, per-
haps. the watchfulness of the fancies
that had inundated him.
4 realized 1 had TO get out if they
would let me. So 1 left the bed. 1
went"
He ceased. intimating that he had
told everything.
Il know" Robinson said. but tell
us how you got out of the room, for
when you-when the murder was
discovered. both doors were locked
on the inside, and you know how
impossible the windows are"
Il tell you" Katherine said hys-
terically, 1T was his body in the
bed
Bobby knew her assurances was
justified. but he motiOned her TO
silence.
Let him answer" Robinson said.
Silas Black burn ran his knotted
fingers through his hair. He shook
his head doubtfully.
That's what I don't understand
myself. That's what's been worry
ing me while these young ones have
49,, .arIrfnc as II xvaa load and