The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-05-07
81 The House of
s. Whispers
By WILLIAM
JOHNSTON
"
Copyright ~
Little, Brown = O..

| We looked at each other despairing
| ". We both OF US realized that W.
must be surrounded with some poten
evil forces working to accomplish ouI
ruin. Tho motive In the anonymous
letters that Miss Bradford had beer
receiving had plainly been blackmail
But what was the motive In my OWE
case7 Why had someone stolen th&
Castor pearls and then In an anony
nous letter to me spoken OF the theft
l wondered, too, IL the successful at
tempt to discredit me at my place Of
business had not originated from the
same mysterious source.
Was my great-uncle Rufus to blame
The suspicion Of him rose In my
mind and would not be downed. l re.
called the unusual pretext on which
he had sent for me after having paid
no attention to my existence for near.
ly year. recalled his curious warn.
ing and that Of his aged wife. l re.
membered that they had insisted on
leaving the Jewels behind against my
urgings, and that they had been In
sistent on my having the combination
Of the safe. Could It be possible that
they also had some grudge against the
Bradfords, their neighbors, and In
some way had got hold Of Claire Brad
ford's secret?
Il think you said" l asked Miss
Bradford 'that your family and the
way"
NO" she replied, I'VE don't know
them at all. Why do you ask thatY'
Il was wondering II it could be pos
slble that my great-uncle Rufus could
have had any hand in all this. He's
a queer, secretive old chap"
TITS probable that he and my father
might have known each other. Both
were in business here In the city for
many years. l never remember,
though, of hearing Dad speak of him
wait, yes did once"
when was that?'
1T must have been six or eight
years ago. There was something in
the papers about Mr.. CASTOR retiring
from business"
what was it he said7" l asked
eagerly, wondering IL some old feud
between the two men might not give
us clue to unravel the web Of mys-
terry.
"As nearly as can recall his words
were, I see that old pirate CASTOR has
retired with his Ill-gotten gains"
ITO whom was he talking"
Il don't remember that, probably
some man who was visiting at the
house. Dad always used to have a
lot Of men about"
"Did he say anything else?"
'That's all l remember, but don't
think the Gastons could have anything
to do with It. This threatening my
sister is more the sort of thing dis
charged servant would do"
yes" / admitted, "but find the dis
charged servant. Yours have been
with you for years."
"Oh, what are we going to dor" she
cried In desperation. IF l don't get
those papers back, we'll all be ruined.
They'll give them to my sisters fiance.
Her engagement will be broken. My
mother will die of disgrace and
shame"
Don't be discouraged" / cried, try
ing to inspire In her a confidence l was
far from feeling myself. This is only
Sunday. We have until Wednesday
evening. I'll find some way of trap
ping those rascals and making them
surrender those papers. Leave 1t to
me-"
In spite of my reassuring words, dis
tress was still written ON her counte-
nance. AS l debated how best to COM
fort her, she glanced at her wrist
watch and exclaimed
Il must be going. They'll be alarm
ed about me If l stay longer"
when am / 70 see you again?"
Il don't know. That's hard to ar
range. My sister and are so much
together"
Cant telephone your"
'Ne, that wouldn't do at all. Moth
er ana claire would DOtn want to know
all about it and besides"
Besides what?"
Il don't trust that girl at the switch
board. l think she listens to every
thing that Is said"
''They are prying lot" l admitted,
Including Mr.. Wick, the superintend-
eAt."
II don't like him a bit"
'Nor I. but we must communicate
with each ether somehow. II you find
out anything more you must let me
know at once. II l learn anything,
I'll let you know. and I'm going to dis
cover a lot"
There's always our windows" she
suggested, ''they are close together.
/ can signal you when I'm alone, and