The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-03-31

ful. We have not been introduced
and my people will think it strange
II they see me speaking to you. You
understand, don't you? You must not
speak to me or recognize me until"
"Until what?" 1 cried eagerly.
Until we can manage to be proper
ly introduced"
"Yct," / insisted, you promised to
let me help YOU"
II have not forgotten. I'm grateful
really l am. Perhaps may call on
your services. l may have to- If
do, III find some way of letting you
know"
"Somc secret way" suggested, half
sarcastically.
perhaps" she laughingly nodded as
we separated.
AS ! took out the keys my great
uncle had given me and entered the
apartment | looked about mo with q
whoi.i lew interest. That little word
crime" makes Il vast difference in the
way we regard things. Now that
these luxurious quarters were to be
my home, temporarily at least, I look
ed about curiouSly. Certainly ut first
glance there was nothing mysterious
In the atmosphere. Setting my bag
down l began an immediate inspec-
ton Of the rooms.
The Castor apartment, discovered,
occupied one whole side Of the sixth
floor Of twclve-story building.
Around the elevator shaft that came
1frI hn
square court with four doors, two
opening into the Bradford apartment
opposite and two into the one I was
occupying. The east apartments were
known ms Six A and the west rs Six B.
Tho door by which had entered led
into lofty foyer, connecting by sliding
doors with great dining room, and be-
yond 1t, In the front of the house, with
reception or living room that ran the
entire width Of the apartment. Back
Of the elevator, with separate door
for the servants use, were the kitchen,
the buffers pantry, servants sitting
room and two bedrooms. From the
foyer long hall ran almost the length
Of the building On the servants side
1t was blank rs to doors, save for the
passage from the pantry to the dining
room, but on the other side several
doors opened into spacious sleeping
rooms, each with It's own bath AS
was wondering which Of the bedrooms
my great-aunt had expected me to
occupy, I noticed still another door
which I found led into small bed
room on the servants side of the
t,,f
quarters. While 1t was less elabor-
ntely furnished than the rooms oppo-
site, 1t was comfortable enough, and
1t had q spacious bathroom adjoining
The fact that the bed here had, been
left turned down was evidence enough
that 1t was intended for my occupancy
Returning to tho foyer to get my bag
and unpack 1t, was startled by the
ringing Of the front doorbell.
I sprnng eagerly to answer it. 1t
must be Miss Bradford. Probably she
had reconsidercd and had decided to
takc me into her confidence Who
else could 1T be? There was no one
else who knew I was In the apart
ment. 1t must be Miss Bradford!
With an exclamation Of welcome on
my lips flung open the door. A man
stood there-an utter stranger. In my
disappointment I was almost closing
tho door In his face, but as IL antIcl-
pathg my thought he quickly advanced
one foot over tho sill and kept 1t there
"Well," demanded, almost savage
ly, "what do you want7"
"Oh Y Is you, is it7" he replied, eye
Ing rf{3with what seemed to me a
most insolont stare.
What do you mean" I asked, be-
wildered. Certainly I never had seen
this person before. He was short and
stocky, with sparse nondescrlpt hair
and weak, shifty blue eyes. His face
had an unhealthy pallor, as If he had
lived long away from the sunlight,
and was sunken In rs if from under
nourshment, yet the breadth of his
shoulders and his hugo rough hands
seemed to indicate physical strength
beyond tho ordinary.
you're Mr., Spalding Nelson, aren't
your"
That's my name," I answered
shortly.
"AIr. Gaston's--" He paused, as if
trying to recall the relationship.
hMr. GOefnn,p