The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-06-04


my room. 1t seems to run along the
hall. The wall there is at least four
feet thick-room for a man to walk.
There is panel in the wall In my
room leading into It, ! was just pry-
ing 1t open when you signaled."
"Oh. how l wish could see 1t ~
''Why can't you? Slip out Of your
front door, and I'll be at my door to
admit you"
Il can't do that. Mother and Claire
are In the front part Of the house
playing bridge with some guests. They
will be sure to hear me going out"
Come In tomorrow morning, then"
l suggested.
She did not answer. and before
realized what she was doing, Barbara
was out on the ledge making her
perilous way across to my window.
IF Claire can do this, l can" she
announced triumphantly. as l. trem-
bling all over at the thought Of the
peril she had been in. put my arms
about her and helped her In.
Darling" 1 cried, still holding her
In my arms, don't ever do that again.
It's too dangerous. Promise me, Bar
bara, dear, you'll never again try
that"
With her pretty face flushed at the
terms Of endearment that had unwit-
tingly escaped me. she laughingly re-
leased herself from my arms.
THAT was nothing" she said In a
tense whisper. where's the panel 7"
Relieved to find that she was not
angered by my presumption, / has
tened to turn up the light and pointed
at the hole In the wall. AS had done,
she sprang up on the chair and en-
deavored to push the panel further
back, but was unable to bulge 1t.
Quicker wftted than l, she then tried
sliding 1t along. At the slightest
touch 1t slid back In a groove, reveal
ing the Notwithstanding into what?
Striking a match, we both OF us
peered in. The space between the
walls was certainly high enough and
side enough for man to walk there
in comfort. So far as the Pickering
light of the match enabled US to judge,
| 1t ran the length of the hail. and near
| its further end there appeared to be
some steps.
Come" cried the intrepid Barbara,
lets explore It,"
NO" l said firmly. 1--WE must
do nothing until l have seen the de
tective.. We have put the case In his
hands,"
but we must find out about it,
protested the girl.
Tomorrow" l said. I'VE know
where 1t Is. We know where the
voices and whispers come from now
II wonder" she said thoughtfully
IF there is the same sort OF pas
sageway In our apartment"
Promise me that II you find there
Is one, you will not attempt to explore
1t alone"
AS we argued about 1t we both
stopped short and with blanchine
faces listened. From somewhere-it
sounded as If it was right below US
we heard sounds as II two people were
struggling. Then came woman's
shrek, wild scream with the death
terror in it. The sound seemed close
| at hand. 1t seemed to come right UT
from the opening In the panel by which
we were standing.
Once more there came an awful
scream-a scream stopped on short as
If some brutal hand had throttled the
womans throat.
"What is It'll" cried Barbara.
Listen" l commanded ut seem,
to come from the floor below"
Holding our breaths we strained ouI
ears for further sounds. Suddenly 6
shot rang out. and there was a thut
as If body had fallen to the floor
Then all was silence.
With terror in our faces we turned
to each other, seeking an explanation
which neither could give.
Mother-Claire !" cried Barbara
They'll be alarmed. must go bach
to them at once"