Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-19
BY VARICK VANARDY
Author Of "The>Two Faced Man."
Alias the Night Wind" etc

noticed the moisture Of dew on Rob, q,
erta's shoes He knew. in that instant.
that il was not Roberta who was lock e
cd inside of the bathroom-who had
been locked in it-who might be-who
doubtless was-still there.
Again he started to speak and with =
held the words he would have uttered
lie had seen the amazcment in her
eyes when he sprang TO the door and
attempted to open II.
His first thought was that the man
whom she had gone out earlier to meet
was there: his second one was the
same. although he added to il the belief
that Roberta was unaware Of the fact
Being puzzled. and also intensely curl
Gus, he was silent
II was Roberta who spoke first.
What are YOU doing here?" she dc
mandcd
"T might reply by asking what the
devil yOu'r been doing outside of the
house second time tonight" he an
swCrpd.
"who is locked in the bathroom"
she asked in utter amazcment.
II thought YOU wcrc-until this mo e
mont.
Roberta shrugged. She did not be
licve him.
"Who is in there" she repeated.
II don't know-unleSs If is the man
you expected here tonight" he an
Swcrod. leaving his chair and standing
facing her.
Then WHY don you open the door
and find OUT"
There are several very good reasons
for that" he drawlcd II could not
use the forccps because the chap inside
Withdrew the key. I could not pick the
lock or force the door because 7 havcr t
my tools with mc--and I didn't think
it wise tn leave the room long enough
10 get Them You fooled me. you sec.
! really supposed that YOU were the
person in tho bathroom.
Roberta was plainly puzzled n fact
which Belknap was not slow to see
"Dont YOU know who is in there" -
he demanded. bending nearer to her
"No; and | don't believe that any
body is thcrc. II is trick Of some sort
that you are attempting. &. II. One
of your Machiavrlian schemes. doubt =
loss. Her voice and manner were 81
sincere that he was suddenly convinced
that she told the truth.
WAS somebody besides ourselves in
this room when | came here the first
timct" hc asked sharply
"No Or. If there was, you should
know it. You wore here when |
returned
"How long time had been gone
when YOU went out again
II don't remember. Five ten min .
utcs. Perhaps more than that.
"And | was gone no longer than that
when | returned. Somebody was here
then Somebody partly opened the door
into the hall to go out | saw the dOor
move. but | did not see the person. al =
though I knew that one was at the door
That person locked il and--lt al
resolves itself into the fact that we were
Spicd upon. Somebody knew that
was in this room with YOU tonight, and
probably overheard our conversation
DO YOU insist that YOU do not know who
that person was?'
Il not only do not know. E. H.. but
7 don't believe there was such a per
son. don't in tn" least know what
you are up to. but whatever it is
wish YOU d unlock that door and have
/ done with it. | am very tired. aud
want to undrcss and go to bcd-but
I'd like you to unlock that door before
YOU go. Besides. il is very late, and
| if YOU were found here
You would be compromised. ch:'
"Compromiscd As if you could
compromise me. care less than that
she snapped her thumb and finger to
gcther rOntemptuously- about such
complications In fact. | would wei
come such an interruption. I'd be glad
ovCrioycd. right now To SOC bingham
Harvard himself walk into this room
followed by the entire household. II
would not result in my undoing. but il
yours. I would betray YOU. wholly, or
the spot-root, trunk. bark ant
branch. -