South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-28
Revelations oPAWifo aqoA A9T5

LILLIAN and 7 made a hurried Job
or locking up my house for the
night. The furnace fire banked pro-
perry. we made a quick tour OF the
rooms. locking doors and windows
If I were you" Lillian suggest
ed. Il would leave light IN one
room upstairs and one room below,
with curtains raised Just enough 20
let the light shine out. but not
enough 20 show that the rooms are
empty"
a very good idea." I assented.
''But-do you think those maraudere
are apt 20 come back t0aight2'
We we're standing n my room
and ! could not repress a shudds. 'ns
g'snce az the havoc which the IN
known intruders had made Of my
keepsake trunk.
Not one chance in million"
: Li,llan returned promptly and con-
Nnc!ngiy. butt is always well 90
guard against the miluonth chance.
They might have been simply young
hoodlums at that"
Ny heart quickened its beat II
had given OF the theory / knew she
must have mapped out concerning
the wanton mischief Of which my
home had been the scene But her
last sentence certainly meant that
she considered the theory Of wanton
hoodlumism as zone IN "a million"
The professional burglar theory fell
10 the ground because nothing OF
value had been taken. In what di-
Tsotion. then. were her theories
pointing
She moved toward the door brisk
II. and knew that my unasked
question would not be answered.
Therefore. I pushed IL into a recess
or my brain and closed the door
tightly upon 70 until such time as
Lillian should have unravelled the
tangled threads OF the twisted pat
tern which had been left for our
study
Now for old Sammy. I said. a
few minutes later. when. the last
window closed and the electric
switches turned on. wa stood upon
the doorstep once more.
rs ne 70 be found very far from
here p Lillian asked
NO, just down the street at a
small grocery store" I answered.
"He delivers groceries during the
day. and does plain and fancy de
tecativing' at might whenever he Is
called upon"
Lillian did not speak again until
we were IN the car and II was turn
ing out OF the gateway into the road.
Lillian did not speak again until
We we're IN the car and Il was turn
ing out OF the gateway into the road.
Would you mind. Madge?" she
asked hesitatingly. Would you
mind telling this Sammy that I
have rented your house for a few
weeks. and that I am his employer?
I want 20 give him a few directions
and ask him a few questions
and"
you would rather was out OF
the picture when you're doing IT,"
smiled promptly. "Of course, my
dear
There was that IN Bnlian's voice
when she answered me which made
ma flush with pleasure.
do you know what dear you
are" she exclaimed. Most women
would drive me Wild with curiosity
and thwarted vanity at request
like that But YOU know. don't you
that ] really have a very good rea-
son for not wanting 20 trouble YOU
with thees crazy theories OF mine
until I have proved them true or
false2"
Don't you think II Is pretty late
Mn the day for YOU 70 begin excus-
ing yourself 20 me-" 7 asked quietly,
II stand corrected" she returned,
and IN another minute we had drawn
up IN front or a small building la
belled THE Palace Grocery" IN alb
surd contrast 70 the size and dilapi-
dasion OF the building beneath the
sign
by the pricking or my thumbs, %
lillian quoted under her breath
surely, this IS SAMMY"
had time only for a quick as
cent before the man OF whom I was
IN search hurriedly drew up the old
nag he was driving out OF the shop
yard. hftchsd him 20 a convenient
post. and came hobblinE UP 20 Us.
well. well, Mis- Graham!" ne
said heartily. pulling of his cap
IT'S sure fine 20 see YOU around here
again When did YOU get back?'
He was a friendly, kindly old fig
ure as he stood looking UP at me. his
old hat respectfully removed from
his thatch Of gray hair. his wrinkled
~.sace and faded blue eyes emphasiz-
ing by their expression the genuine
ness Of his words
We came into New York yester-
day" I said.
and how are Mr.. Graham. and
the old lady and the baby. and the
old gentleman 80 he asked cordially.
I explained briefly THAI only
Dicly and I had come North. and
that Lillian had rented our home for
q few weeks.
Mrs. Graham tells ne" Lillian
struck in. chat Won are very ef-
fcient guardian Of houses az night
.eWeu. n do say 30 that shouldn't
there don't much Eit past me. II
an eittin' alorg ir Years Ne and
'Sukey' here"-he pat,ed his pulEing
hip poke. ely-"my best
girl. calls her we've seen some
pretty stirring events around these
parts sometimes
I'VE no doubt" Lillian observed.
"and wish you would undertake
The watching OF Ms Graham S
house until further notice. beginning
tonight"
you don't mean 70 say" ne be