Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-24
The
Abandoned
Room
By WADSWORTH CAMP
AUTHOR OF
THE HOUSE OF FEAR"
WARS DARK FRAME" ETC.
CHAPTER X.

The Cedars is Left to its Shadows.
Straightway Bobby repented the
alarm he had, perhaps too impulsive-
ly, given. For the hand protruding
from the wall was, indeed, flesh and
blood, and with the knowledge came
back his fear for Katherine. con-
quering his first relief. A sick re-
vulsion swept him. He remembered
the evidence found in katherine's
room. and her refusal to answer
Questions. Could Parades and the
officers have been right? Was 1t
conceivably her hand struggling
weakly in his grasp? -
The door from the corridor crashed
open. Rawlins burst thru. Graham
ran after him. From the private
stairway arose the sound of the dis
trict attorneys hurrying footsteps.
what iss It? What have you got?"
,Rawlins shouted.
Graham cried out:
You're all right, Bobby"
The candle which the detective
carried cleaned on the slender fin
gers. showing Bobby that they had
been inserted thru an opening in the
wall. He couldn't understand, for
time. after time each one of the pam
els had been sounded and examined
Beyond, he could see dimly the dark
clothing OF the person who. with
stealth in itself suggestive of abnor-
nal crime, had made use of such
device. AS Rawlins hurried up he
wondered if it wouldn't he the bet
ter course to free his prisoner, to
cry out, urging an escape.
Already it WAS too late. The de-
tective and Graham had seen, and
clearly they had no doubt that he
held the one responsible for two
brutal murders and for the confus-
ing mysteries that had capped them
Looks like a lady's hand" Raw
Inns called. ""Dont let go. young
fellow"
He unlocked the door to the pri-
waite hallway. Graham and he dashed
out In Bobbys uncertain grasp the
hand twitched.
Robinson S voice reacted him thru
the opening.
Let go, Mr.. Blackburn. You've
done your share. the Lord knows.
You've caught the beast with the
goods"
Bobby released the slender fingers
He. saw them vanish thru the OPEN
ing. He left the bed and reluctantly
approached the door to the private
hall. Excited phrases roared in his
ears. He scarcely. dared listen be-
cause of their possible confirmation
Of. his doubt. The fingers, he re-
peatei to himself. had been too
The moment that had freed
him from fear of his own guilt had
in its place an uncer-
tainty harder to face. Yet there WAS
nothing to be gained by waiting.
Sooner or later he must learn
she had used the stout and
deadly hatpin, whether she struggled
now in the grasp of vindictive men.
A voice from the corridor arrested
him.
'.Bobby!"
With a glad cry he swung around.
Katherine stood in the opposite door,
way. Her preIence there, beyond a
doubt. was her exculpation. He
crossed the somber room. He
her hands He smiled hap
PLY. After all, the hand he had held
was not as slender as hers.
Thank heavens you're here"
In a word he recited the result of
his vigil.
It clears you." she said "Quickr
We must see who 1t is.''
But he fingered. for he wanted that
ugly fear done with once for all.
You can tellS me now how the
evidence got in your ROOM"
can't" she said. II don't know"
The truth of her reply impressed
him. He looked at her and wondered
that she should be fully dressed.
why are you dressed?" he asked.
She was puzzled.
why not? don't think any one
had gone to bed"
"But it must be very late sup
posed It was the same time-half-
past two
She started to cross the room She
laughed nervously.
1t isn't eleven.
He recalled his interminable antici-
patton among the shadows of the old
room.
i've watched there only a little
more than an hour"
Not much more than that, Bobby"
Z what a coward! I'd have sworn
t was nearly daylight
She pressed his hand.
mo. Very brave" she whispered.
Let us see If it was worth it."
They stepped thru the doorway.
Half way down the hall Robinson,
Graham. and Rawlins held q fourth,
who had ceased struggling. Bobby
paused. yet since seeing Katherine
step from the corridor, his reason had
taught him to expect Just this.
The fourth man was Paroles,
nearly effeminate, slender fingered.
"Carlos!" Bobby cried. "You can't
nave done these unspeakable things!"
The Panamanian stared without
Evidently he had had
time to control his chagrin. to smoth-
u. his revolt from the future: for the
hin face was bare of emotion. The
depths of the eyes as usual turned
back scrutiny. The man disclosed
neither guilt nor the outrage of an
assumed innocence; neither confess
sion nor denial. He simply stared.
,training a trifle against the eager
hands of his chptors.
Rawiins grir,ned joyously.
you ought to have a medal for
getting away with this. young fell
low. Things didn't look SO happy
Tor you an hour or so ago.
And had half a mind" Robinson
confessed, ito refuse you the chance.
Glad I didn't. Glad as can be you
made good"