Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02


the attorney put In quietly.
'D-n 1t. don't know what to
Nhink" exploded the harasscd little
man. when we discuss 1t the whole
thing seems wildly impossible: and
yet feel it. the entire family does!
Can you ask a police detective TO go
on that?"
You can ask Barry odell to start
at the ends of those severed picture
wires and be certain that he will
finish the job. no matter where the
trail leads him-now. what's the nat
ter? Got a listcning-speel on again."
OR Richard Lornes rotund form
had tenscd, and his ear was turn
ed to'the door: after a moment he re-
Taxed with grunt.
Thought heard footsteps again"
He rose. Lets so TO bed and try to
get Il wink OF sleep. II / keep on
hearing things III be wreck to-
morrow; and 1 want to have all my
wits about me, TX l ever had In my
lifc"
Morning dawned with hint OF au-
tumnal frost In the air. and Lorne
shook his peacefully slumbcring COM
panion.
IT'S o'clock. Sam. just rang
and told Peters to have breakfast on
the table In ten minutes. and to
order taxi. For heavens sake, let's
get on downtown and interview your
mani"
"Eh?" Tithcredgc stretched his
long. lanky frame. with you In a
minute. Dick
His host was dressed FIRST and ner-
vonsly consulted the clock on the'bed-
stand.
Eight, minutes past" he an
nounced. I'll go on down ahead. old
man, and see IL breakfas: is ready"
He closed the door after him. and
the attorney heard his footsteps die
away down the hall. Then all at
once there came hideous. sickenins
crash, and the sound Of heavy body
hurtling down the stairs.
Collarlcss. Samuel Titheredge tore
open the door and rushed to the head
of the stairs. Other doors were open
| Ing. and voices In which Genes ner-
| vous tones mingled with higher
| feminine ones in a chorus OF startled
| cries; but the attorney was oblivious
| to them. His gaze travelled from the
| top step Of the stairs. which had COL
| lapsed like cardboard. TO the bottom.
| where n huddled figure lay.
Lcaping down. he raised the head
| OF his friend and called sharply:
"Peters!"
"Sr?" The white. frightened face
| Of the butler peered from the dining
room door.
Bring some water. quickly! Mr..
Lornc has fallen down tho stairs"
The Ice in the glass tinkled violent
ly as Peters obeyed. and the attorney
watched his face closely as he bent
over his unconscious master.
Isis he hurt bad. sir?" The butt
Ter clutched the newell post as he
Strengthened his shaking knees.
II don't know yet. How is It that
you did not hear the sound Of his5 fan
and come to his assistance?" He fair
~ shot the question at Peters. and
the latter responded haltinEly:
II didn't hear anything. sir: l was
in the back pantry" A slight fush
came into his pale checks. IL didn't
know anything was wrong until you
| called me-"
sSXVTELL. so telephone for the doc
J. w tor a. once" TitheredGe pass
| ed over the palpable lie. Then come
back here and help me lift him to
| the couch in the library"
| The family. In various stages OF
.disarray, had appeared Mt the ton or
| the staircase and were demanding in
frightened accents what had hap
pened. but Titheredgc had cars for
none OF them as they rushed down
and crowded about. Lorne was
breathing stertorously. and under the
shock OF icy water dashed into his
face he opened his eyes ut last.
II say. what" The sentence ended
in a groan as he strovc to sit up and
fell back again. MY arm"
Tithcrcdgc noticed then that his
left arm was crumpled and twisted
under him. and when they lifted him
and bore him to the couch 1t swung
limp and useless Mt his side.
He opened his eyes once more as
the attorney bent over him and the
others gathered about.
THE stairs" he whispered family.
The top one collapsed as i pressed
my weight on 1t. You remember the
noise / heard last night?"
Titheredge nodded briefly, then
turned to the others.
Move back. please. all Of you. and
give him air" AS they obcyed. ne
asked: Feel better now, Dick?"
%Yes. My side hurts a little when
breathe, and that arms broken.
think: but I'm lucky not to have beer
killed" In whisper once more he
added: "Im all right. Don't wait
here minute longer Go and gel
your Barry Odell.'
where's that taxi?" Titheredge de-
manded OF Peters in the hall. The
latter stood near the ves,ibule talking
with two workmen. who. in overall!
and with their tool-kits slung over
their arms. turned lowering faces to-
ward him.
Taxi, sir?" Peters started in sur
prise and then opening the door h,
peered out. Just drawing up at tn,
curb. sir. Now then. you two. NOV,
one side there and let the gentlema,
pass"
"Who are these menu" Titheredg