South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-15
THE WAY 1.-THE ROOF ADVEN
TURE' WAS STARTED.

Several minutes licked themselves
away upon the old clock sitting on
the fireplace mantel before Lillian
spoke again. As if the mention OF
Allen Drake had set her planning
the encounter she meant to stage
between the man Smith and the
brilliant member of the secret diplo-
matte service, she bent toward the
fire, her elbows on her knees, her
chin cupped in her palms, and L
10 whom the attitude was most IA
milIar and significant - gestured
softly TO Tom Chester for silence.
The expression on his open. boyish
face brought a smile to mime, for il
held admiration and bewilderment
IN about equal proportions. l guess
ed that he never had seen a woman
ike Lillian before, and that he was
losing no opportunity of studying
her. AT any rate. he was watching
her as narrowly as l. and when she
finally relaxed. sank back n her
chair and closed her eyes for a sec-
ond, l heard him give an uncons-
sious little sigh Of relief, and knew
that in his boyish enthusiasm for
her work he had shared her tension
in the unknown problem, and well
coined its apparent solving.
Now for the roof" Lillian open
ed her eyes, gave herself a tiny
shake, and rose from her chair.
alert, capable, resourceful. Come
outside. and let's see whether there
still a light in the TIGER farmhouse.
Throw something around you,
Madge The air viii be chilly after
this fire."
We followed her swift footsteps
her by the shoulders. turned her
around, and gave her u little shake
MadSe Orders Wraps.
The air viii be chiny after this
fire. will it. on. inconsistent
Gander!" laughed. This par
ticular goose is going to see that
you are served the same sauce you
mete out. Mr.. Chester. please toss
me the two motor coats from the
first hook in the han closet"
Lillian made wry face as young
Chester brought the coats, and l.
taking hers from him, quickly wrap
ped her in II.
You have all the 'makins' OF a
political boss in you. Madge," she
said. Mr.. Chester. warn you that
in this aroused mood she's capable
Of making you put on goloshes be-
fore you venture out"
Tom Chester laughed boyishly
Il enjoy being bossed," he said.
and held my coat for me.
AS I slipped my arms into II I
was conscious Of a touch on my hair.
as Of fingers lightly putting into
place a misplaced lock. II was so
evanescent a thing that the next in
slant l chided myself for the fancy.
Surely, my common sense was fast
departing. I told myself grimly.
when my Imagination could find
nothing better with which 10 busy
itself than a ridiculous notion like
that. I sternly depressed a desire TO
seal a glance at the youth behind
me and the next second we were
outside with Lillian. scanning thac
par. Of the horizon in which lay the
TIGER cottage.
Did You Stumble?"
At this distance we could see no
outline Of the house. bur we could
not see a glimmer OF light either
and we were reasonably sure that all
the members of the TIGER family
were safely asleep.
Twelve O'Clock and aH's well"
Lillian chanted softy. "All right.
my heartieS Wen heave no. or 10
and fro from the roof. Snap on your
fiashlight Mr.. Chester we'll stroll
Ground beneath Ka.ie's window. and
YOU can figure what YOU need for
the climb"
The flashlights CLEAN on the be-
deved path which we followed 20 the
rear OF the house seemed eer.e
ghOstly. 20 my excited Imagination
The darkness on al sides was pail
like. and pressed upon us smother
ingly. Involuntariiy I put out nv
hand. caught Tom Chester's arm
and released & the next second with
a burning face az my own cowardice.
The fiashlight in his hand wavered
and be stopped abruptly.
Did you stumble? ?" he asked So