South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-02
CONTINUED FROM PAGE oNE.]

she entered the corridor. She ran its
length. She knocked at the locked
door OF the old bedroom. She shrank
IS the echoes ratified from the dingy
walls where her candle cast strange
reflections. There was no other an
swer. A sense OF an intolerabie COM
panionship made her want to cry out
for brilliant light. for help. She
screamed.
Uncle Sras! Uncle Silasl"
Through the silence that crushed
her voice she became aware finally
OF the accomplishment OF its mis-
sion BY death in this house. And she
fed into the main hall. She jerked at
the bell rope. The contact steadied
her. stimulated her 70 reason. One
slender hope remained. The oppres-
size bedroom might have driven Silas
Blackburn through the private hall
and down the enclosed staircase.
Perhaps he slept on the lounge in
the library.
She stumbled down. hoping 20
meet Jenkins. She crossed the hall
and the dining room and entered the
AAkA a ono hNAAA 0FNA NAAE ANAAAEts ~
was empty. Her candle was reflected
I'm the face OF the clock on the man
tel. It's hands pointed 90 half-past
two.
she pulled at the bell cord by the
fireplace. Why didn't the butler
come? Alone she couldn't climb the
enclosed staircase 10 try the other
door. II seemed impossible 20 her
that she should wait another instant
alone
The butler. as old and az gray
as Silas Blackburn, faltered in. He
started back when he saw her.
MY God. Miss Katherinel what's
the matter? You look like death"
There's death she said
She indicated the door OF the en-
closed staircase. She led the way
with the candle. The panelled. mar
row hall was empty. That door. too.
was locked and the key. she knew
must be On the inside.
''who-who is ito" Jenkins asked
who would be in that room? Has
Mr.. Bobby come back?"
She descended TO the library be-
fore answering. She put the candle
down and spread her hands.
Its happened. Jenkins-whatever
he feared"
mot Mr.. SIIas?"
I'VE have 70 break in" she said
with a shiver. Get a hammer, a
chisel. whatever is necessary"
But IL there's anything wrong"
The butler objected. IF snybody's
been there, the other door must be
open"
She shook her head. Those two
first OF all faced that extraordinary
puzzle. How had the murderer en-
tered and left the room with both
doors locked on the inside. with tho
windows too high for use? They
went to the upper story. She urged
the butler into the sombre corridor.
I'VE have to know" she whisper
ed. what's happened beyond those
locked doors"
She still vibrated TO the feeling OF
uncomfortable forces in the old
house. Jenkins. she saw. responded
20 the same superstitious misgivings.
He inserted the chisel with mala-
droit hands. He forced the lock back
and opened the door. Dust arose
from the long-disused room, fecking
the yellow candle flame. They hest
tated on the threshold They forced
themselves 20 enter. Then they look
ed at each other and smiled with
relief. for Siias Blackburn, In his
dressing-gown, lay on the bed. his
placid, unmarked face upturned, as
IL sleeping
why, miss" Jenkins gasped.
He's all right" Almost with conf
dence Katherine walked TO the bed
Uncle Silas--" she began, and
touched his hand
She drew back until the wall sup
ported her. Jenkins must have read
everything in her face, for he whim-
pered:
But he looks all right. He can't
be"
"Cold-already' II hadn't touch
cd"
The horror OF the thing descended
upon her. sitting thought Automa-
tically she left the room and told
Jenkins what 20 do. After he had
telephoned police headquarters in
the county seat and had summoned
Dr. Groom, a country physician. she
sat without words. huddled over the
library fire.
The detective, a competent man
named Howells, and DR.. Groom ar
rived at about the same time. The
detective made Katherine accom-
pany them upstairs while he ques-
toned her. II the absence OF the
coroner ne wouldn't let the doctor
touch the body.
II must repair this lock" he said.
'the first thing. so nothing can be
disturbed"
Or. Groom. a grim and dark man,
had. grown silent On entering the
room. For a long time he stared at
the body IN the candle light making
as much OF an examination as he
could. evidently. without physical
contact.
why did he ever come here TO
Sleep" he asked in his rumbling
bass voice. Nasty room, Unhealthy
ROOM Ten TO one you're a formal
ity, policeman. Coroners a formal
ity."
He sneered a little.