Omaha daily bee., 1919-01-01
The AbandOnedROOn1
Bv Wadsworth Camp

That's what I've been asking my
self" he said Il went over that
panelling a dozen times myself"
Bobby and Katherine went closer.
Bobby had been from the first puz-
lied by Parede's easy manner. He
had quick hope. He saw the man
watch with an amused tolerance
while the district attorney bent over,
examining the face of the panel.
AN entire section" Robinson
said-"the thickness of the wall
has been shifted to one side. No
wonder we did't see any joints or get
a hollow sound from this panel any
more than from the others. But
why didn't we stumble on the
mechanism Maybe you'll tell us
that, Paredes.'
The Panamanian blew a wreath of
smoke against the ancient wall.
"Gladly. but you will find it humil-
iating. | have experienced humility
in this hall myself. The reason you
didn't find any mechanism is that
there wasn't any. You looked for
something most cautiously conceal
ed, not realizing that the best con
cealment is no concealment at all.
It's fundamental. | don't know how
it slipped my own mind. No grooves
show because the door is an entire
panel. There isn't even latch. You
merely push hard against its face.
Such arrangements are common
enough in colonial houses, and there
was more than the nature Of the
crimes to tell you there was some
such thing here. mean if you will
find that it has fewer coats of paint
than the one leading to the corridor.
that its frame is of newer wood. In
other words, it was cut through
after the wing was built This panel
was the original door, designed with
the private stairway and the hall, for
TIE exclusive use of the master of
the house. Try it."
Robinson braced himself and SHOW
ed against the panel. 1t moved in
its grooves with a vibrant stirring.
Rusty" he said.
katherine started.
"That's what l heard each time"
she cried
Above his heavy black beard the
doctors cheeks whitened. Robinson
made a gesture of revulsion.
That gives the nasty game away"
Naturally" Paroles said, land
YOU must admit the game is as beau
tfully simple as the panel. The in.
trument of death wasn't inserted
through the bedding as you thought
inevitable, Doctor. Suppose you
were lying in that bed, asleep, or
llalf asleep, and you were aroused
by such a sound as that in the wall
behind you? What would you do?
What would any man do first of all?"
Robinson nodded.
Il see what you mean. I'd get up
on my elbow. I'd look around as
quickly as | could to see what it
was. I'd expose myself to a clean
thrust. I'd drop back on the bed,
more thoroughly out of it than
though I'd been struck through the
heart"
Exactly" Paroles said, with the
familiar shrug of the shoulders.
you're sensible to give up this
way" Robinson said. Its the best
plan for you. What about Mr..
Blackburn"
Graham interfered.
After all" he said thoughtfully.
"l'm lawyer, and it isn't fair. Rob-
irson. It's only decent to tell him
that anything he says may be used
against him."
keep your mouth Shut Robinson
shouted.
But Paroles smiled at Graham.
Its very good of you, but agree
with the district attorney. There's
no point in being clam now"
Can you account for Silas Black
burns return?" the doctor asked
eagerly.
That's right, Doctor" Paroles
said. Stick to the ghosts. | fancy
there are plenty in this house. I'm
afraid we must look on Silas Black
burn as dead
you don't mean we've been talk
ing to dead man." Katherine whis-
pered.
Before I answer" Paroles said, |
Il want to have one or two things
straight. These men, Bobby, really
believe, think me capable of crimes
in this house. | want to know if you
accept a theory. Do you think l
had any idea of killing you?"
Bobby studied the reserved face
when even now was without emo
ton.
Il can't think anything of the
kind" he said softly.
That's very nice" Parades said.
IF you had answered differently
I'd have let these clever policemen
lay to their own ghosts"
He turned to Robinson.
Even you must begin to see that
I'm not guilty. Your common sense
will tell you so. If had been plan
ming to kill Bobby, why didn't l
bring the weapon? Why. did | put
my hand through the opening be-
fore | was ready to strike? Why
did | use my left hand-my injured
hand? | was like Howells. | couldn't
consider the case finished until l
had solved the mystery of the lock-
ed doors. supposed the room was
empty. When | found the secret
tonight, ! reached through to see
how far my hand would be from the
pillow"
(To Be Continued.)