Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-30

didn't bring 1t down to you. but IL
you want II I'll slip in the first chance
I get"
NO. don't disturb 1t as long as
you're sure OF it's contents; but get in
when the opportunity offers and put
back these notes in the drawer. Is
| that ail?"
Taylor hcsitated. and his expression
changed.
We'll. no. sergeant. When came
ut OF that room just a few minutes
,go l heard the most unca-thly
crecchin' and chatterin' goin' on be-
| lind closed door across the hall;
| nd then somebody said quite dis
| 'nctly over and over as IL they were
aging about It: Nobody knows
,ow strong am. Nobody knows how
strong l am 1t was queer voice.
nd stopped to listen. After it keep;
| lSt up for while 1t changed and
| cyan TO whimper like a kid trc,tins.
! hot 1t repeated again and again.
Hot. 1t burns
1 knocked, meaning to ask fool
question as an excuse just to, see who
was talking. and the same voice
called come In; SO / opened the door.
There. right facin' me was a big par
rots cage with the blame bird m
IL hangin' upside down first from one
foot and then from the other. and
| t~istin' its neck around so as 10 stare
at me- 1t was mans room all right.
with bunch Of neckties hangin on
rack by the dresser and a collar
box and military brushes in plain
sight. I didn't notice any fireplace
| or crate. The head OF tho bed was
hidden by the open door, hut the foot
Of IT looked smooth: and never
| thought any one was there,
i started TO walk over to tho par
;'ots cage when Il high whining voice
behind made me turn in a
| hurry; and there. all curled up in a
/ knot on the bed. as high up on the
pillows as he could get. was bunch
back. GRIMM at me with mean
twisted kind of smile.
= don't mind teliin' you. sergeant,
'hat 1t gave me turn; for though
Jane had said somethin' about young
Mr.. Chalmers bcin' crippled | didn't
expect anythin' like that He's got
a face-but wait TIL YOU see him.
backed up TO the door, apolosiz!n'
as well as could, hut he pulled
htHaoif up in bed and asked IL was
Sergeant Odcll. ] said no that
was just one OF your men. could
see then that he was only a Kid.
about seventeen or eighteen. but he
looks as old as the world
'Hc asked in n kind of mockin' way
IL we'd made UP our minds yet who
the practical joker was that had
dropped the picture on his brother
and thrown his stepfathcr downstairs;
and when said mo- again. he laugh.
cd in shrill tacklc like an old
woman. and tho parrot initiated him.
got out OF that ROOM is soon as
could. and met Jane at the foot a.,
the servants staircase. She told me
YOU were here. and though, I'd re-
port, as I've finished the Job Won
gave me. all but Miss Mcadc's room
and Mr.. i.orne's and Mr.. Genes"
As Taylor left, Odcll rose ard wen,
TO Randall's room. lie found the hoy
proppcd up in bed, just as the de-
ieciivc had Described him. Rcfcrr;nr
10 previous conversation. Odeli
said
l fear that your prediction that
another member OF your family will
| "a 4 ,sf
VIII he verified"
He had continued the boys meta
rhor. and the latter lay for some mo-
ments staring fNedly 1T him with no
change OF expression. Then gradual
y tho sncering smile vanished as il
hand had passed across his lips.
Another OF thcm:" Randall re-
peated, Gene got off scot-free. and
dad with only his arm and rib OF
Two out OF commission. You mus
mean"
Tina, your fears were well found
cd: ann afraid so.' Odens tone
was stud!ously callous. That's tho
trouble with people when they star
(; murder on large scale: success.
makes them too confident. too i'm.
patient. These tragic accident.
, which have occurred under this roo
r might have passed unsupported 70,
what they seemed on tho surface Il
!, De; but they came too close together
F.; rhe coincidence Impressed itself upo,
all your minds. and when you brough,
> matters Ia a head last night you pre-,
j "!pitated the later events"
, Mother and Julian" the DO,
! hreathed. but without audible emo
l lion; his tone suggested rather
r @rim conformation. so you got II
y did you. sergeant? I've known ii al
t along; and when the rest talked ahou
fatc and coincidence ] could hav,
a laughed at their SNUG blindness."
c How did you know" the detec,iv,
o asked coolly.
We'll, go and cultivate Jane, an.
see IL you can get any dope out o
' her along The lines ! told you thi
morning. Work on her fears an,
discount her Imagination. and you'll
: soon have every detail of the las
week from her point OF piew. In
going now TO have a little talk will
. myself" said the boy.
Odell had struck the right note
4 and his primary object was achieved
{ FOR the boy pulled himself UP on hi.
pillows with an air OF suddenl,
', awakened interest and pushed tn,
= hair back from his eyes.
: And what makes You think i car
:, help YOU" he demanded brusouely
but with The habitual whine temper
arily banishcd from his tones
"WSl for one thing. YOU certainl,