Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-01

nowf"
In my room. Shall fetch II sir!"
Graham nodded, and Jenkins shuf-
fed up the stairs. t4
What luck!" Graham said. How
ellis must have telephoned his sus-
picions to- the district attorney. He
must have mentioned the evidence.
but what does that amount TO since
IT'S disappeared along with the du-
plicate OF the report, II Howells made
one7''
II can fight with clear con-
science" Bobby cried. IL wasn't
asleep when Howells' body altered it,
position. Do you realize what that
means TO me? For once was wide
awake when the old room was at its
tricks"
III Howells were alive" Graham
answered shortly, 'he would look on
the fact that you were awake and
alone with the body as the worst
possible evidence against you
Bobby's efation died.
THERE'S always something 20 tan
gle me In the eyes OF the law with
these mysteries. But know, and
III fight Can you find any trace OF
a conspiracy against me In this last
ghastly adventure?"
1T complexities everything" Graz
ham admitted.
TITS beyond sounding" Bobby
said FOR my grandfather's death
last night and the disturbance OF his
body this afternoon seemed calcu-
lated to condemn nae absolutely, yet
Howells murder and the movement
OF his body, with the disappearance
of. the cast and the handkerchief,
seem designed to save me. Are there
two influences at work in this house
ONE for me, one against me-"
Lets think Of the human ele-
ments," Graham answered with a
frown. II have no faith in Paredes
My man has failed to report on
Maria. That's queer. You fancy a
woman in black slipping thru the
woods, and we hear a woman cry. I
want to account for those things be-
fore I give in to Groom's spirits.
confess at times they seem the only
iOSlSaI CApiuhdIioH- SSh~
kins"
1T trouble comes of his withhold
ing the report I'll take the blame"
Bobby said
Graham snatched the long envelope
from jenkins hand. 1t was address,
ed in firm hand to the district at
torney at the county seat
s"Thara's CV-nI ,n ~
said. That's We mustn't open
it. We'd better not destroy it. Put
it where it won't be easily fo,,nd,
Jenkins. If YOU are questioned you
have no recollection of Howells hav-
ing given it to YOU. Mr.. Blackburn
promises he will see you get in no
trouble"
The old man smiled.
'l rrouble!" he scoffed. Mr.. Black
burn needn't fret himself about me.
He's the last of this family--that is
Miss Katherine and he. I'm old and
about done for. don't mind
trouble. Not a bit. sir"
Bobby pressed his hand. His
voice was little husky: IT didn't
think you'd go that far in my SER
vice. Jenkins"
The old butler smiled slyly; I'D
go a lot further than that, SIR
WED better get back" Graham
said. 1.-THE blood hounds ought to
be here, and they'll sniff at the case
harder than ever because Its done
for Howells."
They watched jenkins go upstairs
with the report.
Were taking long chances" Gra-
ham said, desperately long chances,
but you're in desperately danger
Gus position. It's the only way.
You'll be accused of stealing the evil
dence; but remember. when they
question you, they can prove nothing
unless the cast and the handkerchief
turn up. If they've been taken by
an enemy In some magical fashion
to be produced at the proper mo-
ment, there's no hope. Meantime
play the game. and Katherine and
will help. you all we can. The doctor,
too, Is friendly. There's no doubt Of
him. Come, now. Let's face the
music
Bobby followed Graham to the
hail. trying to strengthen his nerves
for the ordeal. Even now he was
more appalled, by the apparently SUI
pernatural background of the case
than he was by the material details
which pointed to his guilt. More
than the report and the cast and the
handkerchief, the remembrance Of
that impossible moment in the black
ness of the old room filled his mind.
and the unearthly and remote crying
still throbbed his ears.
Katherine, Graham, and the doctor
waited by the fireplace. They had
heard nothing from the authorities.
But they must be here soon"
Doctor Groom said.
Did you learn anything back
there Hartley?" Katherine asked.
ut wasn't the servants" he said.
Jenkins heard the crying. He's GER
tain it came from outside the house"
Paroles looked up.
EXTRAORDINARY" he said.
II wish I<had heard It," Doctor
Groom grumbled. Paroles laughed.
Thank the good Lord didn't.
Perpetually, Bobby. your house re-
minds me that I've nerves sensitive
to the unknown world. I will 90
further than tho doctor. will say
that this house 10 crowded with the
supernatural. It shelters things that
we can not understand, that we will
newer understand When wes
child in Panama had nurse who..
unfortunately. developed too strongly
my native superstition. How she
frightened mos with her bedtime