The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-03
FRANK L. PACKARD


 the garret, where. with the slope of the roof, the ceiling was no more than shoulder high. There seemed som ething horribly weird and gro- tesque in the scene before her He had pushed the narrow trap-door in the ceiling upward, and had thrust candle and head through the open ing, and the faint yellow light, seep- ing back and downward in f1ickering, uncertain rays, suggested the inn pression of a gruesonle, headless fig ure standing there hazily outlined in the surrounding murk. It chilled her; she clutched at her shawl, drew it more closely about her, and edged still nearer to the wall. And then Danglar closed the trap door again. and came back with the candle in one hand, and one of the bulky packages of banknotes from the hiding place in the other. He set the candle down on the wash stand, and began to distribute the money through his various pockets.
 He was smiling with curious com placency.
 "It was your job to play the spider to the White Mou if she ever showed up again here in your parlor.." he said. Maybe somebody tipped her off to keep away, maybe she was too willy; but, anyway. since you have not sent out any word, it is evident that our little plans along that line didn't work. since she has failed to come back to pay a call of gratitude to you. I don't suppose there's any thing to add to that, eh, Bertha? No report to make?''
 "No,' said Rthoda Gray shortly "I haven't any report to make"
 Well, no matter!" said Danglar He laughed out shortly f'There are other ways. She's had her fling at our expense; it's her turn to pay now. He laughed again-and in the laugh now there vas something both brutal in its menace, and sin ister in its suggestion of g1oating triumph.
 What do you mean?" demanded Rhoda Gray quickly. What are you going to do?"
 Get herb said Danglar. The mans passion famed up suddenly; hes poke through his closed teeth Get her! I made her a little prom ise. I'm going to keep it! Under stand?''
 You've been saying that for quite long ume.' retorted Rhoda Gray coolly. But the getting has been all the, other way so far. How are you 10 get her
 Danglars little black eyes narrow ed, and he thrust his head forward and out from his shoulders savage dy. In the flfckering candle light, with contorted face and snarling lips. he looked again the beast to which she had once 1ikened him
 Never mind how I'm going to get herb he flung out, with an oath. sf told you I'd been busy. That's enoughI You'n see!"
 Rhods Gray. in the semi-dar1kness. shrugged her shoulders Was the man. prompted by rage and fury, sim ply making wild threats, or had he at last same definite and perhaps infaI- lible plan that he purposed putting into operation? She did not not know; and, much as 1t meant to her. she did not dare take the risk of arousing suspicion by pressing the question. Failing, then. to obtain any inttmation of what he meant to do. the next thing most to be desired was to get rid of him.
 You've got the money That's what you came for, wasn't it?'' she suggested coldly.
 He stared at her for moment, and then his face gradually lost its. scowL
 You're a rare one. Bertha." he exclaimed admtrngly. Yes; I've got the money-and I'm going In sact. I'm in a hurry, so don't worry! You got the dope, like everybody else. for tonight. didn't you? It was sent out two hours ago."
 The dope! It puzzled her for the fraction of a secondhand then she remembered the paper she had thrust into the bodice of her dress. She had not read 1t. She Iunged a little in the dark.
 "Yes," she said curtly.
 "A11 right" he said-and moved toward the door. That explains why I'm in a hurry-and why I can't stop to oil that grouch out of you But I'll keep my promise to you. too, old girl. I'll make up the last few days to you. Have a heart, eh, Der tha! 'Nightr'
 She did not answer him. It seem ed as though an unutterabIe dread had suddenly been lifted from her, as he passed out of the door and be- gan to descend the steps to the hall below. Her 'tgrouch," he had cali ed it. Well. it had served its pur- pose! It was just as well that he should think so! She Followed to the door, and deliberately slammed 1t with a bang. And from below, his laugh, more an amused chuckle echoed back and answered her.
 And then, for long time she stood there by the door, little weak with the revul- sion of relief upon her, her hands pressed hard against her temples. Q staring unseeingly about the garret He was gone. He filled her with terror. Every instinct she possess ed, every fibre of her being revolted against him. He was gone. Yes he was gone-for the time being But but what was the end of all this to be?'
 She shook her head after mo- ment, shook it helpless1y and weariIy as. fiSally, she walked over to the washstand, took the piece of paper from the bodice of her dress, and spread 1t out under the candle light glance showed her that it was in cipher. There was the stub of pencil, she remembered. in the wash