The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1921-01-20
CHAPTER XII.
Mldnlaht.

Clinton followed the girl to his door
and watched her sprlghtly departure
down the corridor. When she disap-
peared in the elevator he stepped back
and nodded to the attendant.
"Tell Doctor Kirkland l do not wish
TO see him today. Oblige me by clos
ing the door and keeping 1t closed"
"As you wish, SIR"
The door closed noiselessly. Clin-
ton went to the window. stepped up
on the hOt-water radiator window
seat, lowered the upper sash few
inches, and felt for a loose screw in
the upper left-hand corner OF the
screen. All the screws were immov6ble.
He reached over to the other side.
One of the screws in that corner
turned under the twist of his finger
tip, and the screen swung outward.
He drew 1t shut. pushed up the win
dow, and stepped down to examine the
window-seat radiator. There was
nothing about 1t to which a line could
be fastened. He stepped up again and
looked at the window cord. Taken
together, the cords Of both sashes
might be strong enough to bear his
weight. From the window he went to
the bed. The sheets and coverlet,
though light, were Of fine, strong ma
teral.
Having made these investigations
he settled down beside the pile of
magazines and began to read. He was
not interrupted until close upon the
fashionable hour for dining, when an
attendant opened the door and an
nounced that dinner would be served
to him In his room.
A small table was presently brought
In, and the meal served as neatly as In
flrst-class restaurant. The cooking
was excellent, though noticeable for
the absence of oil highly seasoned
dishes and of all stimulating drinks.
Neither wine nor coffee nor even teO
was served. Clinton drank his creamy
milk without complaint, and cOmpll-
mented the cook and the pretty walt
ress.
The. girl, who was a trained nurse
reported B 10 In good appetite and
good humor. With the removal Of the
table, male attendant brought In n
suit of pajamas. After this Clinton
presumed that he would be left alone
for the night. He smoked cignr
that he happened to have In his pocket,
read until eleven o'clock, took bath
and went to bed.
Within a minute after he had turned
out his light, the door opened and an
attendant stepped in, with an apollo
getic: BEG pardon. sir; but your
clothes"
"What about my clothesT" demand
ed Clinton.
There was no reply. Clinton sat
up In bed and saw by the moonlight
which streamed In through the win
dow that the man was deftly empty
ing the pockets of his trousers.
| "Here-enOugh of that !" he ordered.
keep your hands out of my pockets" 4"
But cannot take out your clothes
without emptying them, sir" replied
the man.
"Who the devil wants you to take
out my clothes1" demanded Clinton.
"The management, sir. We are re-
quired to clean and press all gar
ments."
Leave my clothes where they are
or I'll knock your head OFF,
'Yes, sir; very good, SIR"
The man bent over with his back tC
Clinton. as If replacing the trousers
When he rose he had ClintOn's shoes
m his hand. Before the owner could
protest, he was at the door. A re
spectful explanation drlfted bach
through the opening as the door wal
drawn shut: "Must polish them, sir
You'll find them here in the morning.
Clihtansleaped out Of bed and ran 4
Jerk open the door. II was locked
He raised his hand to knock, ant
dropped 1t, probably remembering tina
, the door was deadened- He face