The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-09

| Cairns acouiesced. Batu came on the l bell and ushered him to his room. CHAPTER IT. The Thirteenth. At midnight. between the twelfth and the thirteenth, Cypripedium Lodge contained of its original men, | age only Forsythe himself. Twenty picked operatives had been sent down by Rainey to act under l Cairns. Cypripedium Lodge was gar | risoned we'll enough to stand a verir- able attack in force. Cairns assigned his men their places, loosed the dogs, and started his vigil. Forsythe read and smoked and wrote at intervals in the library. Cairns remained in close contact with his client. Certain of the guard were detailed to make hourly rounds and reports.
 The night passed without alarm. Forsythe showed an unshaken nerve. He read over to Cairns his deductions concerning certain varie- ties, and suggested visit to the orchid house to show the acruaf plants.
 Forsythe took the keys to the bronze grille from his pocket. threw back the locks and they went down
 
 of the gorgeous array.
 They had turned to go back to the library when F'orsythe. tagging behind a little, bave an exclamation that held concentrated his face palid.while he pointed with a shaking finger at q withered blossom fallen from its stem. looking like a butterfly that had been singed in the flames.
 '"The Butterfly Orchidr' gasped
 
 ago. It should have been brilliant and strong for several days yet. To fade on this day. of all days! It was vivid and erect last night!
 He seemed talking mostly to him self as he stepped over and inspected the nearest thermometer.
 Temperature right" he went on. To-day. of all daysI Cairns, do you believe in omens?"
 Don't believe in anything happen ing to material things that cannot be attributed to natural causes" answer ed Cairns promptly. Forsvthe ap- peared to ponder the words as if as- simi1atns their meaning.
 ''I think you're right" he said At ten o'clock a whistle sounded in the hall. One of Cairns men prompt ly opened the library door.
 Some one put a package of some thing in box at the gate,'' he said.
 My n1ail'' said Forsythe. t'It is brought up every morning.
 Cairns went down to the gate, where he opened the mail box and removed the letters. Then he return ed to the house.
 The communications were mostly typewriter - some were obviously circulars, one containing a brief re- quest for Forsythe's autograph, with en enclosed and stamped envelope, One held the one typed word:
 TO-DAY
 Paper and envelope were as in the last threat.
 Forsythe smiled as he dropped it into the waste basket
 He went ahead to answer his mail. l At last he came to the request for the autograph.
 'This may be my last signature 1 he said rnocking.
 Suddenly Cairns missed any sound | of shifting paper or scratch of pen. l and looked up toward Forsythe. | The milhonaire's eyes were horri- | b1e. Through a film that swiftly | deepened Cairns saw the terrified soul | look out. The tip of Forsythe's | tongue showed between his lips. and | he jerked out one harsh syllable, | barely articulate, before he suddenly | collapsed. his arms falling to his | sides, the chin lolling his chest. Cairns jumped from him, touching | buttons and shouting. Instantly half 3 dozen broke into the room with 1rawn pistols.
 Higgins said Cairns, there is a telephone in the hall. Call up a doc .or, notify the local police, then get Rainey on the long distance! There s no number to this phone. You must give the name and address, Cypriped- um Lodge"
 Before he attempted any eNamina- ion he knew that the man was dead. The face showed signs of pain; there vas no congestion, no trace. by sign 'r scent, of poison.
 Cairns thought he detected the bar st hint of perfume as he bent close o the body On a second trial Cairns loticed the odor of brilliantine.
 The man came back from the tele- phone.
 'All on the way. sir" he reported Then get the Egrrnont Hotel Ask Or Miss Carroll Tell her I want to peak with her"
 The girl knew the news before he wen spoke.
 CHAPTER III. l.
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