Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-11

We went in the house, and in the
dark, felt u way up to the music
room. Stone put the book in the jar.
and motioned for me to hide behind
sofa. He himself took up his vigil
behind q window.curtain, Of heavy
brocade.
He had planned all this. before we
lett my house, and no word was spok-
en- rs. We took our places. His hope
was that Vicky would come into the
house late and go straight for her
book and quickly out again. He a
directed me to wait until she had
jar and then, as she was leaving the
room. spring after her and stop her.
I obeyed orders implicitly, and. as
Stone had warned me, we had a bit Of
q wait. I grew cramped and tired.
and at last I gave up all hope OF
Vicky's appearance.
And then, she came!
Silently, absolutely without sound,
she glided in from the hall. Ny eyes:
now accustomed to the semi-gloom OF
the room, could discern her figure as
It approached the great vase. Softly,
she raised the cover. she distracted
the book. and with noiseless touch
was replacing the cover when she
threw back her head, as il she sensed
our presence. I had made no move,
nor had I heard a breath of sound
from Stone, but Vicky knew some one
was present. I knew that by her
startled movement. She gave a stified
scream, and pushing the great jar on
on the floor, where it crashed to
pieces, she rushed out of the room
and down stairs.
ffAp hA~ C~lh4,Sr( T1yfp Rh01lt,
ed Stone, and as he flung back the
heavy curtains the street lights illum-
mated the scene. But as we avoided
the broken fragments we bumped to-
gcther and lost a few seconds in our
recovery from the impact.
This gave Vicky a start, and we
heard the street door slam as we
raced down the stairs. Here. too. we
lost a second or two, for I stepped
back to give Stone space just as he
did the same for me, and when we
had reached the foot of the stairs,
leaped through the hall, wrenched
open the door and dashed down the
steps to the pavement, we saw the fly
Fifth Avenue corner, and turn South.
After her we ran, as fast as mortal
man can run, I verify believe, n
when we reached the Avenue there
was no one in sight!
Stone stood stock-still, looking
down the street.
The Avenue was lighted, as usual.
and we could see a block and more In
both directions, but no sign Of Vtcky.
Nor wa there a pedestrian abroad,
or a motor. The Avenue was abso-
lutely uninhabited, as far as our eyes
could reach.
'Where'd she 60 ~ painted.
Unto some house. or, maybe, hid
all, but very warily. She's a witch, a
wonder-woman, but all the same, the
earth didn't open and swallow her."
We searched every area way on the
block. One Of us would go in and
explore while the other stood guard.
The third house was the Schuyler
residence. but Stone also searched
thoroughly in its basement entrance.
All dark and locked up" he re-
ported. as he came out from there.
"And, Of course. she wouldn't seek
sanctuary there! But I've wondered
II she isn't concealed in one Of these
nearby houses, as she has such ready
access to her own home
But it was impossible. Every base
rnent entrance was locked and bolted
for the night and all the windows
were dark.
She's given us the slip" said
Stone. in deep chagrin. But perhaps
she crossed the street. Maybe she
didn't run down this side very far.
Let's 60 over"
We crossed and looked over the
stone wall Of the park. Surely Vicky
Van had not had time to scramble
over that wall before we reached the
corner. 1t had been not more than a
few seconds after we saw her flying
from turn down the Avenue, and she
couldn't have crossed the street and
scaled the wall in that time!
Where was she What had become
Of her
Ring up the houses and inquire"
I suggested. You're justified in do
ing that"
mo use," he responded. "1f she
was expected they won't give her
away, and II she isn't there. they'd be
pretty angry at our intrusion. I'll adj
NIT. Calhoun, I've. never been SO
mystifed in my life!"
Nor T." I emphatically agreed.
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