South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-06

Graham made movement toward
the door.
we might" ne said significantly.
"hnd that out without disturbing
him"
Robinson nodded and led the way
silently back 10 the house. Such a
method was repugnant 10 Bobby.
and he followed at a distance. Then
he saw from the movements OF the
two men ahead that the library had
again offered the unexpected, and
he entered. Paroles was no longer
In the room. Bobby was about to
speak, but Robinson shook his head
angrily. raising mis- hand in a ges-
ture OF warning. All three strained
forward, listening. and Bobby
caught tho sound that had arrested
the others stealthy scraping that
would hare been inaudible except
through such a brooding silence as
pervadcd the old house.
Bobby's interest quickened at this
confirmation OF Graham's theory.
There was n projection OF cold fear.
moreover, in its sly allusiOn. II gave
to his memory OF Paroles, with his
tall, graceful figure. his lack Of emo
ton, his inscrutable eyes, and his
pointed beard. a suggestion nearly
satanic. For the stealthy scraping
had come from behind the closed
door Of the private staircase. How
ellis had gone up that staircase.
None of them could forget for a
moment that it led 10 the private
L. n he N xuhfph the
murders had been committed.
1t occurred TO Bobby that the tri-
umph Graham's face expressed was
out Of keeping with the man. 1t dis
turbed him nearly as thoroughly as
Paroles stealthy presence in that
place.
We've got him." Graham whis-
pered.
Robinson's bulky figure moved
cautiously toward the door. He
grasped the knob. swung the door
open, and stepped back, smiling
his satisfa ction.
Half way down the staircase Par
edes leaned against the wall, one
foot raised and outstretched, as
though an infinitely quiet descent
had been interrupted. The expo
sure had been too quick for his hab-
il. His face failed 10 hide its discOm-
future. His laugh rang false.
"Hellol"
I'm afraid we've caught you
Paredes," Graham said. and the tri-
umph blazed now in his voice.
What Paroles did then was more
u Of L no ~
of his recent actions. He came pre-
cipitately down. His eyes were dan
gerous. AS Bobby watched the face
whose quiet had at last been tenn
pestuously destroyed. he felt tha
the man was capable of anything
under sufficient provocation.
Got me for what?" he snarled.
Tell US why you were sneakinE
up there. In connection with your
little excursion before dawn it sug-
gests a guilty knowledge"
Paroles Strengthened. He shrugged
his shoulders. With an admira bic
rage from his face. but for Bobby
the satanic suggestion fingered.
why do you suppose I'm here ?
he said in a restrained voice thai
scarcely rose above a whisper. "TC
help Bobby. 1 was simply looking
around for Bobby's sake"
That angered Bobby. He wanted
TO cry out against the supposed
/ friend who had at last shown hi:
/ teeth.
That" Graham laughed. SIS why
/ you sneaked, why you didn't make
\ any noise, why you lost your tenn
\ per when we caught you at it? Wha
about it, Mr. District Attorney"
Robinson stepped forward.
Nothing else TO do. Mr.. Graham
He's too slippery. I'll put him in {
safe place"
You mean Paroles cried, "tha
you'll arrest me?"
You've guessed 1t. I'll lock you
up as a material witness"
Paroles swung on Bobby.
You'll permit this. Bobby? You'll
forget that am a guest in YOU
/ house?"
Bobby flushed.
"Why have you stayed? VIVA
were you doing up there? Answel
/ those questions. Tell me what yOJ
want"
I Paroles turned away. He took Z
! cigaret from his pocket and lighted
it, His fingers were not steady. FOl
the first time. it became evident I,
Bobby, Paroles was afraid. Rawlin
came back from the telephone. II,
took in the tableau.
WHATS the rumpus?"
Run this man TO Smithtown,
Robinson directed. Lock him up
and tell The judge, when he's ar
raigned in the morning, that I wan
I him held as a material witness"
He was at the hotel in Smith
town all right" Rawlins said.
/ He tapped Paroles arm.
You coming on this little JOY
ride like a lamb or a lion? Sag
\ youu find the jail about as comfor
\ table as the New Hotel"
Paroles smiled. The evil and dan.
/ gerous light died in his eyes He be