The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-10-13
CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER -klA
without waiting for Kelsey's rather
shalxy assistance, Hope clambered
through the window. Following more
slowly, he closed and relocked it.
Swayihg on his feet, Kelsey reached
out for SOME support and clutched a
table
She was untying the bandage, and
he felt her light, cool fingers on his
forehead.
She moved swiftly away from him,
and he heard the sound of running
water across the room. I'm going to
wet this handkerchief" she said.
here at the sink This is the kitchen. :"
''Waitr' He got up and made his
zig-zag way toward her. Let me get
my head under the faucet"
us the cut still bleeding?' she
asked.
mo; the blood has clotted on it. It's
only a scratch anyway Abr He in
hailed deeply and stood upright,
brushing the water from his face.
I'm all right now"
But it's dangerous drawing water, ="
he said. They'll know we've been
here"
Let it run little" she suggested.
''1t will look as If it had been left
so a long time
That's So" he said. And now
we've got to plan our next move.
You know this place. the house and
grounds. They'll be here soon. and
they're bound to track US to the
house. We've got to get out Is there
any way we can throw them Off"
I'VE stay right here. They won't
find u.s." There was an irrepressible,
mischievous bubble in her low laugh
ter. Leave that to me- I know
every inch of this place. Give me
your matches"
you mustn't strike a match here"
mot here, of course. But in the
closet there. Quick-give them to me-
Oh, don't be afraid. 1 shall close the
door"
Here, as on their wild drive. she
had taken the initiative, and stin pro-
testing, he reluctantly gave her The
box.
She laughed again: and he heard
a door open and close moment
and she came back.
Good hunting" she said. Il went
after provisions and found a box Of
crackers and some jam. My father
comes down here occasionally for me
duck-shqoting. and I thought some
thing might have been left.
Now come with me-" She slipped
her free hand in his, and led him
through what seemed to be a dining
room into the hall, and then up a
flight of stairs.
Kelsey stopped. Whats your ideas
he asked. ITO hide in the attic? That
won't do. They'll make for that the
first thing"
We're not going to the attic. Come
on" She tugged at his sleeve. DON'T
stand there and argue. 1 know what
I'm doing"
He yielded the point and followed
her without remonstrance into a long.
low-ceiled chamber which he assumed
to be directly above the dining-room.
Now you can rest for a moment. "
she said, guiding him into a chair.
Sit down. And, please, the matches
again. Oh" anticipating his ob1eo-
ton, there Will be no light that can
be seen from the outside"
His eyes accustomed to the dark
ness made out great stone fireplace
at one side Of the room She passed
1t, a light, gliding shadow among
shadows, and stood before the wall be.
yond, in front of an old-fashioned
cupboard about two feet above the
floor. She stepped into It. There was
a tiny squirt Of light as she struck q
match.
By it he saw her kneeling figure
| close to the dark wood which lined the
back of the closet. One finger out
! stretched. she was tapping the boards
rapidly. Counting, was she?
The match went out. He heard her
jump down and she came toward him
in an airy rush.
Let me tell YOU" she forced her.
self to sober ooherency. This is ar
old, old house, built in the early days
of>the Colonies, when people had to
be constantly on guard against the In
dams and provide ways Of escape. Car
you make out that big. old.time chin
ney where the fireplace is? It runs
up from the cellar and there is a fire
place just Ike this in the diring room
below, and another back of it in the
kitchen. which is in an ell or wing