The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-04-23
CHAPTER ll.-Continued.


s.
"Qute proper precaution," l ad-
mItted.
"The elevator boy reported your ar
rival" he continued, but he wasn't
quite sure 1t was you. The fact that
you We're CHATTING with the young
lady bothered him, and me, too. Mr.
Castor told me you were a stranger
in the city, and l didn't expect to find
you knowing one OF the Bradfords."
1t was on the tip of my tongue to
say, well you see | do know her."
when | recalled her request that /
would not recognize her until we had
been introduced In some fashion. /
contented myself with saying merely !:
"Well. hope you are satisfied now"
"Of course, Mr.. Nelson, of course"
he answered. though his looks belied
his words. Manifestly he was still
puzzled over my acquaintance with
Miss Bradford.
Il hope you will find 1t comfortable
here he said, plainly trying to con-
tinue the conversation. 'Tf there's
ever anything the matter, just call me
on the house phone, Mr.. Wick, the
name is"
Il WILL said and he unwillingly
withdrew.
IF there's ever anything the mat
ter Was there something
sinister in the superintendent part
ing remark? Once more the warn
ings of my relatives flashed into my
mind What was wrong in the house !?
Why did he anticipate that | might be
calling him up? Why did he exhibit
such an interest In me and In my
acquaintance with the girl across the
hall? Somehow the mans whole as
pect had impressed me unfavorably.
carried my bag back to my bed
room and unpacked 1t. The various
attachments In the bath looked so in
viting that l stripped and amused my
self for half an hour testing the va
riety of showers and sprays provided.
Downing my bathrobe / Ieisurely
smoked an excellent cigar from a box
old Rufus had thoughtfully--or per-
haps thoughtlessly-lef open on his
desk, and then returned to the inspec-
tAch VI my new QuuIlcIS-
AS 1t was Sunday, l had whole
day of leisure before me, and l felt
that if l was to clear up the mystery
that had driven the old couple out, 1t
was incumbent on me to make q mi
mute study of my surroundings. Only
In the little rear sitting room was
there any atmosphere of nominees. All
tho nf tn,
best department store style, even to
She richly bound sets of standard au-
thors which lined the walls of the Ivy
ing room, most of which | found HAD
their pages uncut.
My search of the place-and 1t was
thorough, extending even to the empty
canisters In the pantry and kitchen
revealed nothing whatever that gave
any hint as to the cause or expana-
ton of old Rufus fears. The place
seemed the least likely of all places
In the world to hide any mystery, just
great, modern. luxurious apartment,
equipped with every possible device for
the comfort and convenience of its oc-
cupants. 1t would have to be an up
to-date ghost to find itself at home
here.
But waltz Perhaps the safe held
some clue to the problem they wanted
me to solve. But where was the safe?
/ had not noticed 1t anywhere in my
repeated journeys through the rooms.
I made another tour looking for 1t.
More than likely it had been located
in some inconspicuous place purposely.
But where? At last / located it, be-
hind a faded crayon portrait of Mrs.
CASTOR. in the little sitting room.
/ lifted the picture to the floor and
stood hesitant before the safe Should
I, or should | not, open it? The fact
that they had given me the combina-
ton seemed to imply that l had
perfect right to inspect its contents.
"Six to the right. four to the left,
TWO to the right. eight to the left"
AS i turned the knob | repeated the
combination to myself. There was a
little click. and the steel door came
open. Reaching in / drew forth two
o,d-fashioned Jewel cases of leather
both securely io.ked. | took from my