Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-21

that room. II never occurred TO me
that the detective or the coroner
might be there moving around"
You were alone up here?" Gra-
ham said.
II think So"
mo" Bobby said. ~ was in my
room"
what were you doing?" Graham
asked.
81 was asleep. Katherine's call
woke me up"
Asleep Paroles echoed. And
she didn't call at once"
He broke off. Bobby grasped his
arm.
What are you trying to do?'
Pm sorry" Paroles said Now,
really, you mustn't think of that.
shouldn't have spoken. I'm more in
clined to agree with the doctors
theory, impossible as 1t seems"
Yesterday" Katherine said, II
would have thought it impossible.
After last night and just now I'm
not so sure. II wish the doctor
were right. 1t would clear you,
Bobby"
He smiled.
do you think any jury would
listen TO such a theory"
Katherine put her fingers to her
lips. Howells and the doctor came
from the corridor of the old wing
At the head Of the stairs the detec-
tive turned
You will find it very warm and
comfortable by the fire in the lower
hall, Mr.. Blackburn"
He waited until Katherine had
slipped to her room, until Ora ham,
Paredes the doctor, and Bobby were
on the stairs. Then he walked slow
ly into the new corridor.
Bobby knew what he was after
The detective had made no effort to
disguise his intention. He wanted
Bobby out of the way while he
searched his room again, this time
for a sharp, slender instrument ca
pable Of penetrating between the
bones at the base OF a mans brain
Paroles lighted a cigaret and
warmed his back at the fire. The
doctor settled himself in his chair,
He paid no attention to the others
He wouldn't answer Paroles slow
remarks.
Interesting, doctor! I am a little
psychic. Always in this house
have responded to strange, unfriend-
ly influences. Always, as now, the
approach of night depresses me-"
Bobby couldn't sit still. He nod J.
ded at Graham, arose, got his coat
and hat, and stepped into the court
The dusk was already thick there
Dampness and melancholy seemed
to exude from the walls of the Ole
house. He paused and gazed at one
of the footprints in the soft earth
by the fountain. Shreds of plaster
adhered to the edges, testimony that
the detective had made his cast
from this print. He tried to realize
that that mute, familiar impre ssion
had the power to send him to his
execution. Graham, who had come
silently from the house, startled him.
what are you looking att"
mo use, Hartley. l was on the
library lounge. l heard every word
Howells said"
perhaps it's just as WE'LL Gra-
ham said. You know what YOU
face. But / hate to see you suffer
We've got to find a way around that
evidence"
the room of death.
There's no way around except
the doctors theory"
He laughed shortly
Much as I've feared that ROOM
I'm afraid the psychic explanation
won't hold water Paroles put his
finger on it. l would have had time
to get back to my room before kath-
crime called"
stop, Bobby"
Hartley. I'm afraid to go to
sleep. It's dreadful not to know
whether you are active in your Sleep
whether you are evil and ingenious
to the point of the miraculous in
your sleep. I'm so tired, Hartley"
why should you have gone to
that room this afternoon" Graham
asked. "You must get this idea out
Of your head. You must have sleep,
and, perhaps, when you're thorough
ly rested you will remember"
I'm not SO sure" Bobby said,
that | want to remember"
He pointed to the footprint
There's no question. 1 was here
last night"
handkerchief and your shoes were
stolen"
Nonsense" Bobby cried 1.-THE
only motive would be to commit a
murder in order to kill me by send
ing me to the chair And who would
know his way around that dark
house like me? Who would have
found out so easily that NY grand
father had changed his room?"
ITS logical" Graham admitted
slowly, but we can't give in. BY
the way, has Paroles ever borrowed
any large sums?"
Bobby hesitated. After all, Paroles
and he had been good friends.
"a little here and there" he an
'swered reluctantly.
HAS he ever paid you back?'
IT don't recall" Bobby answered,
flushing. you know I've never
been exactly calculating about
money. Whenever he wanted it I
was always glad to help Carlos out.
Why do you ask?'
TT any one," Graham answered,
Cooked on you as a certain source
of money, there would be a motive
in conserving that source, in in
creasin. # Probably lots Of people
knew Mr.. Blackburn was out Of pa
thence with you; would make a new
will today"
do you think" Bobby asked,
"that Carlos is clever enough to have