South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-31
THE HINT OF THE MENACE
MADGES FATHER DISCLOSED

MADOE - FATHER DISCLOSED
"Step carefully" Lillian adm on
ished in a whisper as we neared
the little jog in the old corridor be-
hind which lay the library door.
Let me guide you"
She grasped me firmly by the arm
and stopped me just before we
reached the door.
Lift each foot before you set It
down as if you were stepping over
an obstruction about-a foot high and
six inches wide she directed.
There, that's it. All right. Allen"
as Mr. Drake noiselessly swung open
the library door. Were mere, and
the mine IS laid Now Wen get
down to business. and wait until our
little submarine strikes it,"
Allen Drake and my father were
standing with grave faces JUS: in
side the door of the library IN my
fathers hand Wa "a book, one OF
cherished set of his favorite essay
lists which had been privately bound
for him. He evidently L4d just fin
ished turning the leaves and his
voice was grave, as he looked to-
ward me and spoke rityi2gly.
There can be no mistake. Ddugh-
ter fastened a memorandum
carefully between these two pages.
80 that only design, not careless
ness. could remove it. And it is
gone"
You mean" I said slowly, that
Katie must have taken it,"
Unless some person from outside
the house has had access to this
loom" he returned Besides. Il
was nothing any person would have
taken unless he-or-she-" there
was a significant pause had been
directed just where to look"
II Had Forgotten"
felt suddenly chilly. as II some
evil. not fully known. were threat
ening me. 1 knew Ka..e = monkey
Ike curiosity. but I would have
staked my soul upon her absolute
loyalty 10 me and mine. But the
three faces around me were stern
and set.
Indeed I fancied that there was
look of something very akin 70 hor-
ror in both Lillians face and Jhat
of Allen Drake, as they gazed a. my
father. an expression so foreign 10
their usual inscrutable faces. tia. I
feared something vague, terrifying.
OF unusual Importance was attach
ed 10 this memorandum.
Chief" Allen Drake began hesi-
family, pardon me if I'm wrong.
but IL can't be that-the missing pa
per concerns the thing we were
talking about"
Yes my boy" my father replied
gravely. 1T did concern that. In
deed"
RE stopped as he saw my puzzled
stricken eyes, and came towarl me,
slipping his arm around me
Il had forgotten. Daughter" he
said, that all this must be Greek
20 you and partly 10 Mrs. Under
wood also, although I think she
knows something about what I've
been trying 20 do. But I shall not
keep you in ignorance longer. al
though I have not yet completed the
thing on which I have been wJrk-
ins"
What MadSc Feared
Is He drew me 10 a chair near the
FIRE and motioned the others 70
seats. and ! held my breath as one
upon the brink OF a tremendous
revelation.
Just a minute. Mr Spencer" Lii
ian interrupted Il want 70 be
very sure OF something frs."
She went 10 the door. opened IL
cautiously. went down the corridor
20 the stairway, returned and closed
the door As she did so, again
heard just that faintest suspicion Of
a tinkle and caught in Allen brakes
eyes a glance OF amusement at my
bewllderment.
In a second I was holly resent
full The air was full OF some sin
.ster menace. and yet he. in his
cocksure aIoofness. could spare time
/ Cor a smile.
Al right" Lillian reported lac