Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-19

the end ne SAID not OQNndly.
'If the evidence and Howells' 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 yourself SO
frankly that I 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 q
pretty bad position-an unheard of
position. You still are, for that mat
ter. But the case is put on such an
extraordinary basis by what has
happened tonight that I'd be a fool
to lock you up on such confession.
! believe there's q good deal more in
what has gone on in that room and
In the return of your grandfather
than you can account for"
Thanks" Bobby said. II hoped
you'd take II this way, for, If you will
let me help, have q plan"
He turned restlessly to the door OF
the private staircase. In his men,
DRY Howeiis' bold figure was outlin-
GA SkASASs odt INV thC ldCc Will iU5
slow smile seemed sympathetic rath-
er than challenging.
Whats your plan?" Robinson
asked.
Bobby forced himself to speak de-
liberately, steadily:
ITO go for the night alone to the
old room as Howells did"
Robinson ~h&atloN
Didn't believe you had that much
nerve. Two men have tried that.
What good would 1t tio?"
IF the answers anywhere Bobby
said, ''it must be hidden In that
room. Howells felt 1t. I was sure
of II when was prevented from taxi
ing the evidence. You've believed II,
I think"
There is something strange and
unhealthy about the room," Robin
son Agreed. -tcertAinly the secret of
the locked doors lies there. But
WE'VE had sufficient warning. I'm
not ashamed to say I wouldn't take
such q chance. I don't know that I
ought to let you"
Bobby sniled.
I've been enough Of a coward"
be said, land, Robinson. I've got to
know. / shan't 80 near the bed. I'll
watch the bed from a corner. II the
dangers at the bed. as we suspect.
Il probably won't be able to reach
me-. but just the name 1t may expose
itself. And Rawlins or you can be
outside the broken door in the cor
ridos, waiting to enter at the first
alarm"
.Howeiis had no chance to give an
alarm Robinson snuttered. wen
ses later 80
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 cant
grow more mysterious indefinitely"
But his tone held no assurance.
He. seemed to foresee new and diff
f1c,ilt complications
When they returned to the hall
1obby. shrank from the picture OF
his grandfather still crouched by the
IRA his shoulders twitching. his
fingers about the black briar pipe
shaking. Groom alone had remained
with him. Bobby opened the front
door. rhere was no one in the court.
.paredes," he said. closing the
door, s.shas gone out Of the court.
Where's Katherine, DOCTOR"
She Sent 70 the kitchen" the
doctor uambied. I'm sure I don't
know what for this time of night"
After q little Graham ana Rawlins
came down the stairs. Oraham.s
faos was SCARED by fresh trouble.
Rawlins drew.the district aftn,r.v ~
one side. IS 20
what hare you two been DOING up
thsre!~ Bobby asked Graham.
"Rawlins 10 hard headed" Graham
answered in q low, worried tone'
He wouldn't meet Bobby,s ewes. He
seemed to seek an escape.
where's Katherine?" he asked.
doctor Groom says she went "a
the back part of the house. why
won't you tell me what you were do
inG7"
"only keeping Rawlins from trytna
70 make more naischief.. Graham an.
swered.
He wouldn't explain.
"Aren't there enough riddles In
this house?" Doctor Groom asked
with frank disapproval.
Rawlins and Robinson joined them
sparing Graham a further defence
The district attorney had an air o,
| fresh resolution. He was about r.
speak when the front door opened
quietly. framing the blackuess OF th<
court. They started forward. seems
no one.
silas Blackburn made slow