South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-31
The Room
A Mystery Story by Wsds-
worth Camp.
CONTINUED

eerie grief was still uncomfortable
in his brain. Could there have been
actually a woman at the stagnant
lake that afternoon and close TO the
house tonight-some mysterious
friend who assumed grave risks in
his service? He recognized Robin
sons logic. Unless there were some
thing I'm that far-fetched theory
Katherine faced a situation nearly
as serious as his own. Robinson
Strengthened. At the same moment
the scraping Of a window reached
them. Bobby glanced at the newer
wing. Katherine leaned from her
window The coincidence disturbed
him. In Robinson's mind, he knew
her anxiety would assume "A color of
guilt. Her voice, moreover. was too
unce rtain, too full OF misgivings:
What is going or down there?
There have been no-n0 more trag-
ediesf"
Would you mind joining us for a
moment" Robinson asked.
She drew back. The curtain fell
over her lighted window. The dark
ness of the court was disturbed
again only by the limited radiance
of the fiashlight. She came hurried
ly from the front door. Z
II saw you gathered here I heard
you talking. I wondered"
you knew there were footprints
in this court" Robinson said harsh
/ ly, that Howells connected them
with the murderer of your uncle"
Yes" she answered simply.
why then" he asked. did you
attempt TO obliterate them?"
she laughed.
What do you mean? I didn't. I
.haven't been out of the house since
just after luncheon"
can you prove that?"
1T needs no proof. I tell you So"
The flashlight exposed the ugly
/ confidence of RobinsOn's smile.
"I am sorry TO suggest the need of
confederation"
You doubt my word ?" she flash
ed
"A woman" he answered, has
obliterated valuable testimony
shall make it my business to punish
her"
She laughed again. without an
other word she turned and re-enter-
ed the house. Robinson's oath was
audible to the others.
I'VE can't put up with that sort
of thing. sir" Rawlins said.
81 ought to place this entire
household under arrest Robinson
muttered.
"As a lawyer" Graham said cas-
lily. 4 should think with your lack
Of evidence it might be asking for
trouble. There is Paroles who ac-
knowledges he was in the court"
"All right. I'll see what he's got to
say"
He started for the house. Bobby
fingered for a moment with era
ham.
DO you know anything about
this. Hartley?''
Nothing" Graham whispered.
"Then you don't think Rather
inc"
IF she'd done it she'd have TAX
en- good care not to be so curious
I doubt if it was Katherine"
They followed the others into the
hall. Bobby, scarcely approaching
why at first, realized there had been
a change there. Then he understood
Robinson faced an empty chair. The
hall was pungent with cigaret
smoke, but Parades had gone.
Robinson pointed to the stairs.
Get him down." he said to Raw
Inns.
''Ie wouldn't have gone to bed .
Graham suggested. Suppose he's in
the old room where Howells 1ies?"
But Rawlins found him nowhere
upstairs. With an increasing excite
ment Robinson Joined the search
They went through the entire house
= PaSedes was no longer there. He
had, to all appearances. put a per
= iod TO his unwelcome visit. He had
definitely disappeared from the Ced
airs.
His most likely exit was through
the kitchen door which was unlock.
ed. but Jenkins who had returned
to his room had heard no one. With
their electric lamps Robinson anC
Rawlins ferreted about the rear en-
trance for traces The path there
was as trampled and useles as the
one in front. Rawlins, who had gone
some distance from the house
Strengthened with a satisfied excla
nation. The others Joined him.
CnNrTNTEn rnNfODDnW