Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-08-20

yet these people could scarcely fail to
recognize that this had reference to
the Cavendlsh case. The thought OF
personal danger never once entered
her mind. Timidity was not part Of
her nature and she gave this phase of
the matter no thought. But she must
communicate with Westcott, tell him
all that had occurred. She would send
him note the first thing in the morn
Ing.
Somewhat treasured by this reason
ing. she was still seated there, staring
out into the night, when Enright and
Beaton returned. Stella heard the
tread of horses feet, before her eyes
distinguished the party approaching,
and she drew back cautiously. In the
glow of the light she could perceive
four men In saddle halt ID front of
the hotel. three of whom dismounted
and entered the building, the fourth
grasping the reins Of the riderless ami
mails and leading them up the street.
She heard the murmur Of voices be-
low and the heavy steps Of the men as
they came slowly up the stairs. Then
door opened creakingly and she
caught the sound of woman's voice.
IT'S that you. Ned7"
"sure; what are you doing up at
this hour?n
Never mind that. Who have you
got with youf"
"Enright and Lacy-whyY
II want you all TO come in here a
minute; don't make so much noise
:. voice or two grumbled, but feet
shufTied along the bare floor end the
door creaked again as 1t was carefully
closed behind them. Stella opened her
own door d crack and listened; the
hall. lighted only by single oil-lamp
at the head of the stairs, was desert
ed and silent. She stole cautiously for
ward Abut the voices in Miss La Rne's
room were muiiied and indistinct, not
an audible word reaching her ears.
The key was in the lock, shutting out
all view of the interior. Well. what
was the difference7 She knew what
was occurring within-the stolen tele-
gram was being displayed, and dis
cussed. That would not delay them
long and 1t would never do for her to
be discovered In the hall.
Convinced Of the uselessness of re-
naming. she returned to her own
room, closing and boiling the door.
This time she removed some Of her
clothing, and lay down ON the bed,
conscious of being exceedingly tired,
vet In no degree sleepy. She rested
there, with wide-open eyes, listening
until the distant door creaked again,
and she heard the Footsteps Of the
men in the hail. They had not re-
malned in the chorus girls room long,
nor was anything said outside to
arouse her suspicious Treasured,
Miss Donovan Struggled down into her
pillow, unable to distinguish where the
men went, but satisfied they had
sought their rooms, They would at
tempt nothing more that night and
she had better gain what rest she
could. II was not easy falling asleep,
In spite of The silence. hnt at last she
dropped. off into doze.
Suddenly some unusual noise
aroused her, and she sat upright, un-
able for the moment to comprehend
what had occurred. Then something
tingled at the glass Of her window,
sharply distinct, as though pebble
had been tossed upward. Instantly
she was upon her feet, and had crossed
the room, her head thrust out. The
light In the office had been extin-
/ gulshed. and the night was black, yet
she could make out dimiy the figure of
a man close In against the side OF the
house, mere hulking shadow. AT
the same instant he seemed to move
slightly, and some missile grazed her
face, and fell upon the floor, striking
the rug with a dull thud. She drew
back In alarm, yet Immediately
grasped the thought that this must be
some secret message. some communal.
cation from Westcott.
Drawing down the torn curtain,
she touched match to the lamp and
sought the intruding missile. 1t had
rolled beneath the bed-a small stonf
with a bit of paper securely attached
The girl tore this open eagerly, her
eyes searching the few lines.
"Must see you tonight. Have
learned things. and am going away
Go down back stairs, and meet me al
big cottonwood behind hotel: don'i
fall. J. W."
Her breath came fast as she read
and crunched the paper Into the palm
OF her hand. She understood, and fell
no hesitaney. Westcott had made dis
coveries so important he must com
municate them at once and there wa.
no other way. He dare not come II
her openly at that hour. Well, sh,
was not afraid--not OF Jim westeott
She paused in her hasty dressing, won
dering at herself, dimly aware that
new feeling partly actuated her desir,
TO meet the man again-a feeling thor
oughly alien to the Cavendish navc