South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-13
The Room
A Mystery Story by Wads-
worth Camp.
(CONTINUED.)
SYNOPSIS.

boODy blackburn Is suspects. OF the
murder OF his grandfather. Sias Black
burn. who was found dead with a small
hole at the base OF his brain in
abandoned and locked room Of his home,
the Iedars. Circumstantial ev idence
points 20 the guilt Of Bobby. who is un-
able % establish an alibi as a result Of
loss OF memory after a night Of "gay
life in New York. spent i'm company
Of Parades, from Panama. and Marie.
Spanish woman. He awakes in a de-
serted shack near the Cedars and goes
70 the house. where he meets his cousin.
katherine, and Graham, a friend. All
agree that mystery surrounds the death
OF the old man, who was one OF many
Blackou to die in same manner.
Strange signs Invariably mark the occa.
sion of a death in the room
God knows what it was" Ora
ham said, but it may mean soms-
thing to you. Bobby. Tell us care
fully, Katherine, about the sounds
that came to you across the court. q"
1T was just what l heard last
night when he died" she answered
1T was like something falling softly.
then a long-drawn sigh / tried 20
pay no attention. l fought it / didn't
call at first. But 1 couldn't keep
quiet. 1 knew we had to 60 10 that
room. 1t never occurred 10 me that
the detective or the coroner might
be there moving around"
You were alone up here " Ora
ham said.
Il think so"
NO" Bobby said. 4 was in my
room"
What were you doing2" Graham
asked.
Il was asleep. Katherine's cal
woke me up"
Asleep" Paredee echoed. And
she didn't call at once"
He broke off. Bobby grasped his
arm.
what are you trying to do?"
I'm sorry" Paroles said. Now,
really. you mustn't think of that. 1
shouldn't have spoken. I'm more
inclined TO agree with the doctors
theory. impossible as it seems"
" esterday.' Katherine said, 4
would have thought it impossible.
After last night and just now Tn
not so sure. II wish the doctor
were right. 1t would clear you, Bob
by"
He smiled
DO you think any jury would
listen TO such a theory"
Katherine put her finger to her
lips. Howclls and the doctor came
from the corridor of the old wing. At
the head of the stairs the detective
turned
You will find it very warm and
comfortable by the fire in the lower
hall. Mr. Blackburn
He waited until Katherine had
slipped to her room, until Graham.
Paroles, the doctor. and Bobby We're
on the stairs. Then he walked slow
ly into the new corridor
Bobby knew what he was after.
The detective had made no effort to
disguise his intention. He wanted
Bobby out of the way while ne
searched his room again, this time
for a sharp, slender instrument ca
pable OF penetrating. between the
bones at the base of a mans brain.
Paroles lighted a cigaret and
warmed his back at the fire. The
doctor settled himself in his chair.
He paid no attention to the others
He wouldn't answer Pared IS slow
remarks
Interesting, doctor! I am little
psychic Always in this house I have
responded to strange, unfriendly in
/ fuences. Always, as now, the APP
proach of night depresses me-"
/ Bobby couldn't sit still. He nodded
at Graham, arose, got his coat and
/ hat. and stepped into the court. The
dusk was already thick there
\ Dampness and melancholy seemed
\ to exude from the walls of the old
/ house lie paused and gazed at one
/ of the footprints in the soft earch
/ by the fountain. Snreds of plaster
/ adhered 10 the edges. testimony that
/ the detective had made his cast from
\ this print He tried to realize that
that mute. familiar impression had
the power to send him TO his execu-
ton Graham, who had come silent
/ ~ from the house, startled him.
What are you looking att"
no use Hartley. I was on the
library lounge. 1 heard every word
Howells said.N
Perhaps it's just as WELL" Ora
! ham said. You know what you face
But hate to see you suffer. We've
got to find a way around that ev:-
dence,"
Bobby pointed 10 the windows OF
the room of death
There's no way around except the
| doctors theory"
He laughed shortly.
Much as I've feared that room
I'm afraid the psychic explanation
won't hold water Paroles put his
1 finger on it. I would have had time
10 get back to my room before Kath-
crime called"
stop Bobby,"
Hartley, I'm afraid TO go to sleep
It's dreadful not TO know whether
YOU are active in your sleep
whether YOU are evil and ingenious
10 the point OF the miraculous in
your sleep. I'm so tired. Hartley
why should you have gone to
that room this afternoon ?" Graham
asked. You must get this idea oIIt
of your head. You must have sleep
and. perhaps, when you're thorough
lly rested you will remember"
sFr.-- H crsr-a RnhHr sold