South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-24

EA -AaA 80 OO4aA nA0 80
20 the house, where be meets his cousin.
Katherine, and Graham, q friend. All
agree that mystery surrounds. the death
Of the old man, who was one Of many
Strange slghs invariably mark tie occs.
sioI Of a death In the room.
Rawlins, with an air OF stealth,
walked upstairs Graham, after a
moments hesitation, followed him.
Bobby wondered why they went. He
caught Robinson's eye He indicat-
ed he would like to speak 70 him in
the library. As he left the hall he
saw Paroles, who had not removed
his hat or coat. start for the front
door.
Where are you going? he heard
Robinson demand.
Parades reply came glibly.
only to walk up and down in the
court. The house Expresses me more
than ever tonight. I feel with Mr..
Blackburn that it is no place to
stay
And while he talked with Robin
@VAA ~ lAbA al DObn1 ukI dl
times the c%runchipg of Paroles feet
in the court.
Why does that court draw him?"
Robinson asked. why does he keep
repeating that it is full of ghosts {?
He can't be trying to scare us with
hat now"
But Bobby didn't answer.
I've come TO tell you the truth. -
he burst out, everything l know.
You may lock me up. Even that
would be better than this uncertain
ty. 1 must have an answer, if il
condemns me; and how could I have
had anything TO do with what has
'appened tonight?"
He withheld nothing. Robinson
listened with an intent interest. At
the end he said not unkindly:
If the evidence and Howelrs re-
port hadn't disappeared I'd have ar
rested you and considered the case
closed before this miracle was
thrown at me. You've involved your
self so frankly that ! don't believe
you're lying about what went on in
the old room when you entered TO
steal those exhibits. Can't say
blame you for trying that. either.
You were in a pretty bad position
an unheard-of positionl You still are
for that matter. But the case is put
on such All extraordinary basis by
what has happened tonight that I'd
be a fool TO lock you up on such a
confession. I believe there's a good
deal more in what has gone on i'm
that room and in the return of your
grandfather than you can account
for"
Thanks" Bobby said. 81 hoped
you'd take it this way. for, if you will
let me help, 1 have a plan"
He turned r~estlessly TO the door of
the private staircase. In his mem
DRY Howells bold figure was outlined
there. but now the face with its slow
smile seemed sympathetic rather
than challenging.
What's our plan?" Robinson
asked.
Bobby forced himself to speak de-
l~iberately. steadily:
ITO go for the night alone to the
old room as Howells did"
Robinson whistled.
Didn't believe you had that much
nerve. Two men have tried that.
What good would it do p"
IF the answers anyhere," Bobby
said. cit must be hidden in that room.
Howells felt it. 1 was sure Of it when
I was prevented from taking the evil
dence. You've believed il. / think
There is something strange and
unhealthy about the ROOM" Robin
son afreed. Certainly the secret OF
the locked doors lies there. But
we've had sufficient warning. I'm not
ashamed to say ] wouldn't take such
a chance. l don't know that 1 ought
10 let you"
Bobby smiled.
"T've been enough of a coward
he said. "and. Robinson, I've got to
know. shan't go near the bed. I'll
watch the bed from a r II the
dangers at the bed. as we suspect
il probably won't bet able to reach
me, but just the same it may expose
itself. And Rawlins or/you can be
outide the broken door in the CORR
dor, waiting 20 enter at the first
| alarm"
"Howells had no chance to give an
alarm" Robinson muttered. We
see later"
But Bobby understood that he
would agree, and he forced his new
courage TO face the prospect.
Maybe something will turn up.'
Robinson unused. THE case can't
grow more mysterious indefinitely
But his tone held no assurance. He
seemed TO f~oresee new and difficult
complications.
When they returned 10 the hall
Bobby shrank from the picture of his
grandfather still crouched by the fire.
his shoulders twitching. his fingers
about the black briar pipe shaking.
Groom alone had remained with him.
Bobby opened the front door. There
was not n in the court.
"Parades." he said, closing the
door, has gon out OF tho court.
Where's Katherine Doctor"
she went 10 the kitchen the
doctor rumIlcd. I'm sure 7 don;
know what FOR this time Of n.eht.r