Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-18
/. The
Abandoned
Room
By WADSWORTH CAMP
AUTHOR OF
THE HOUSE OF FEAR"
WARS DARK FRAME" ETC.
CHAPTER VIM.

Bobby threw Off his recent numb-
ness. He realized the disturbing par
allel in the actions Of his grand
father and himself. He had come to
the Cedars unconsciously. perhaps
directed by an evil, external influ-
ence, on the night Of the first MUIR
der Now. It appeared, the man he
was accused of killing had also wan
dered under an unknown impulse
that night. Was the same subtle
control responsible in both cases?
Was there at the Cedars a force that
defied physical laws, moving its In
habitants like puppets for special
aims OF It own? Yet. he recalled.
there was something here friendly to
him, After the movement OF How
els body and the disappearance OF
the evidence. the return Of Silas
Blackburn stripped Robinson's
threats Of power and seemed to place
the solution beyond the district at
torneys trivial reach.
The silence and the delay increased
their weight upon the little group.
Silas Blackburn, huddled in his chair.
was grayer, more haggard than he
had been at first. He appeared at
tentivo to an expected summons. He
seemed fighting the idea Of going
back.
The proximity OF Graham to Kath-
crime quietsd the turmoil of Bobby's
thoughts. II he could only have
foreseen this return he would have
listened to the whispered encourage
ment Of the forest.
Robinson rsappeared. Anxiety had
replaced the anger in the round taco
which. one felt should always have
been no moro than good natured.
Jenkins will have to help" he
said.
Silas Blackburn arose unsteadily.
Tim coming with you. You're not
going to leave me here. I won'tstay
here alone"
Tie should come by ali means, !"
Paredes said. I'm case anything
should happen"
The old man put his hands to his
ears
you keep quiet. I'm not going
back, tell you"
Bobby didn't want To hear any
more. He went to the kitchen and
called Jenkins. He let the butler 10
TO the hail ahead Of him in order
that no might not have to witness
this new greeting. But Jeukins' cry
game back to him. ara when he
reached the hall he saw that the
mans terror had not dfninished.
They went thru the court and
around the house to the stable,
whore they found spades and show
~ Their grim purpose holdina
them silent, they crossed the clear
Ing and. entered the pathway that had
been freshly blazed that dAy for the
passage OF the men in black.
| The snow was quite deep. II still
drifted down. It filled the woods
with wan. unnatural radiance
Without really illuminating the sooty
masses Of the trees 1t made the night
white.
silas Blackburn stumbled in the
van with Paroles and Robinson. The
doctor and Rawlins followed. Ora
ham was with Katherine behind
'Asm- Bobby walked last, fighting
I'M Instinct 70 linger. to avoid what
ever they might find beneath the
white blanket OF the little Intimate
burial ground.
Groom turned ana srole TO era
lam. Katherine waited for Bobby,
and the white night closed swiftly
about them, Whispering until the
shufflins Of the others became In
audible.
Was she glad of this solitude !?
Had she sought It! Her extraordln-
sry request In that earlier solitude
came to him. and he spoke of It
while he tried to control his emo
lions. while he sought to mould the
1lsxt few minutes reasonably ana
justly.
why did you tell me to make no
sftsanpt to find the guilty person.
because" she answered, ..you
were too sure It was yourself. why,
p