Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-22

should think katherine guilty" the
doctor said to Robinson. This evil
dence and It's presence in her room
arc details that don't approach the
heart of the mystery. That's to be
found only in the old room, ana !
don't think any one wants to tempt
1t again. In fact, I'm not sure one
can learn the truth there and live
You know what happened to How
ellis when he tried. Silas Blackburn
went there. and none Of us can un
derstand the change that's taken
place. have been watching him
closely. So has Mr.. Paroles. We
have seen him become grayer. We
have seen hts eyes alter. He sta
shaking In his chair. Since We came
back from the grave the man-if we
can call him man-seems to have
--shrunk."
YES" Paroles said. Perhaps we
shouldn't have left him alone. Let
us go back. Let us see II he IL all
right"
Rawlins laughed skeptically.
You're not afraid he'll mel,
away"
I'm not so sure he won't" Pa
redes answered.
They followed him downstairs. Be-
cause Of the position Of Blackburn's
chair they could be sure Of nothing
until they had reached the lower
floor and approached tho fireplace
Then they saw. II was 40 II Pa
redes' far-fetched fear had been real
ICED. Blackburn was not In his chair
nor was he to be found In the hall
Even then. with the exception OF
Paroles. they wouldn't take the thina
seriously. Since the old man wasn't
In the hall: since he couldn't have
gone upstaiAs. unobserved by them.
he must be either In the library, the
dining room. or the rear part Of the
house. There was no one in the IL
brary or the dining room: and Jen.
kins. who sat In the Kitchen. still
shaken by the discovery at the grave.
said he hadn't moved for the last
hour. was entirely sure no one had
come thru from the front part OF the
house.
They returned to the hall and
stood In a half circle about the
empty chair. where q little while ago
Silas Blackburn had covered. mouth
Ing snatches OF his fear-"rm not
dead! tell you I'm not dead! They
can't make me 20 back"
The echoes Of that fear still shock
ed their ears.
There was hypnotic power about
the vacancy ~ there had been about
tho emptiness in the burial ground.
Paroles spoke Sropinsiy.
What would We find" he whis-
pered. II We went to the cemtery
and looked again in the coffin!"
Why should he have come back
at AM! Groom unused.
Robinson opened the front door.
You know he might have soma
this way"
But already the snow had obliter-
ated the signs of their own passage
In and out. II showed no fresh
marks.
"Silas Blackburn has not gone that
way IN the body" Doctor Groom
rumoied.
The storm was more violent. Il
discouraged the idea OF examining
the srave yard again before morning.
! Robinson glanced at his watch. He
led Bobby and the detective TO the
library.
Then try your scheme Il you
want" he said. but understand
assume no responsibility. :. Honestly.
! doubt II It amounts to anything.
fouIl shout out II you are Attacked.
OF the moment you suspect any real
cause for fear. RAwltns will be In
the corridor. and III be In the IL
Drary or wandering about the house
always within call. Rawlins will
guard the broken door, but be sure
and lock the other one"
The two officers went upstairs
with Bobby Graham followed.
You understand" Robinson said.
It'd rather Paredes and the doctor
didn't suspect what you arc going to
do. Change your mind before its
too late, II you want"
Bobby walked on without replying.
You can't dissuads him." Graham
said. because OF what will happen
tomorrow unless the truth 10 discov-
cred tonight"
In the upper hall they found Kath-
crime waiting. Her endeavors were
hard to face.
You shan't 60 there for me,
Bobby" she said.
isn't 1t clear I must 90 in my own
service?" he said, trying to smile.
He wouldn't speak to her again.
He wouldn't look at her. Her anxiety
and the affection in her eyes weak
ened him, and he needed Ill his
strength, for at the entrance OF the
dark, narrow corridor the fear met
him
Rawlins brought candle and
e1lf(1ed him Aown thu corrsAor c.o