Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-10-05


does she knos about her husband2
The girl laughed softly.
'Knowi Less even than I do,
Imagine. He doesn't show up here
oftener than once in six months, and
Sarah gets nothing from him. She
wouldn't know-why?"
Because. after all. 1t might be the
Russian; If it was he would have to
lie TO Harris. and pretend to know
nothing. You heard how those two
talked at Perond's. What did you
make of it?9
She drew her eyes together, leaving
the marks of a frown on her fore
head.
''.rhat they had planned together to
rob slya : that Waldron was to be
hidden somewhere outside. and was
10 wait for Harris to signal him that
the money had been paid over"
Exactly; Harris failed TO learn
that the money changed hands. and
consequently did not signal. But
Waldron, nevertheless, was outside
waiting, had no doubt spotted Alva's
machine, and was ready to act. The
one thing we do rot know is-did
Alva start home alone; or did one
of the men accompany him? If the
latter supposition is true then that
fellow must have committed the
murder. with Waldron a possible
accomplice after the crime. If not
true, then the only other solution Is
that Alva picked waldrOn up for com
partnership. Were they acquainted at
all?"
II think so, but am not sure; you
said Waldron first reported this
chance to Harris"
$50 he did; then II is quite possible
the two knew each other. That would
make 1t easy forthe Russian to ask a
ride. Whoever struck the blow was in
the rear seat. This theory fits in all
right with his actions toward Harris"
What do you mean to do?"
shadow Waldron: he is sure to
expose himself sooner or later We
must get away from here, out of the
hands Of these fellows. Could you
find your way to the stairs In the
dark"
"Yes. I have been here often"
'Then 1 am going to turn out this
light before opening the-door."
She led the way confidently enough,
moving silently along the wall,
keeping close so as to touch her. A
few steps brought US forth into the
hall at the head OF a fight Of stairs
leading downward. My fingers gripped
the banisters, while she stood aside
to let me pass.
"You better 60 ahead now: the next
flight Is directly beyond this. and
ends at the street door,"
"You Will followa"
"of course; I shall keep right be-
hind you
We went down step by step. not q
stair creaking, or a sound louder than
our own breathing. / reached the
last step. warned by the newell post,
and felt ahead with one cropping foot
10 assure myself of the level beyond.
Her fingers grasped my sleeve, and
lips almost at my ear. whispered a
barely audible warning.
Look to the right What is thatT'
II Yves dull. red glow. mere pin
prick In the black curtain, yet II
seemed to change In brilliancy, like an
evil eye winking at US out Of the
dark. There was something uncanny
about the thing, yielding me no sugges-
tion as to what It could be. yet
frightening by its baieful CLEAN at
such a time and place Then there
was borne to my nostrils the faint
odor OF tobacco smoke; It must be a
man sitting there smoking: what we
saw was the red tip of his cigar.
Could We slip by unheard?
doubted II. yet whatever happened.
one of us, at least, must escape from
the house before any alarm was
sounded. There was but one chance
left--for her to slip silently down
that other flight of stairs to the street
door, while / remained behind TO pro-
tect her flight. If there was no alarm.
no notice taken of her passage,
possibly / might venture to follow
without being overheard; but she
must go first, her step was light. and
she was more sure Of the way. Be
sides. / could block pursuit, by a
fight If necessary. and thus give her
ample time In which to unchain and
open that front door. Once without;
these fellows would never follow.
I put my lips close against the girls
I ear.
at is a guard there smoking. Don't
/ try to answer, but do exactly as
say. One Of as, at least. must get
out; you stand the better chance
with my remaining behind to hold
/ these fellows back If there should be
any alarm. II there is not, I'll follow.
/ Do you Understand with
! your hand"
1 felt the firm pressure Of her fingers
+ In quick response.
/ "The fellow evidently hasn't heard
| anything yet-you better CO."
j felt her creep past me without a
sound, her hand slipping from my
grasp as her foot touched the level
] floor Of the hall. She was invisible.
no longer even shadow in the black
gloon. Then suddenly from somewhere
a chain clanked family: the ear could
not determine from what direction the
sound came. yet il was clear enough
rFsT.