Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-10-20

Of the spirit which he handed to Sir
James. While Tuppence lifted her
head the lawyer tried to force a little
Of the spirit between her closed lips
Finally the woman opened her eyes
feebly. Tuppence held the glass to
her lips.
Drink this"
Mrs. Yandemeyer complied. The
brandy brought the color back to her
white cheeks, and revived her in a
marvellous fashion. She tried to sit
up-then fell back with q groan, her
hand to her side.
IT'S my heart" she whispered. II
mustn't talk"
She lay back with closed eyes.
Sir James kept his finger on her
wrist minute longer, then withdrew
it with a nod.
She'll do now"
All three moved away. and stood to-
gether talking In low voices. One and
all were conscious Of a certain feel
ing Of anticllmax. Clearly any scheme
for questioning the lady was out
of the question for the moment. For
the time being they were baffled. and
could do nothing.
Tuppence related how Mrs. vande-
meyer had declared herself willing to
disclose the identity of Mr. Brown,
and how she had consented TO discover
and reveal to them the whereabouts Of
Jane Finn.
We'll" said Tuppence, with an at
tempt at cheerfulness, I'VE must wait,
that's all. But l don't think we ought
to leave the fat"
what about leaving that bright boy
Of yours on guard?"
ALBERT? And suppose she came
round again and hooked It. Albert
couldn't stop her. She seemed very
frightened OF Mr.. Brown Said even
walls had ears"
Miss Tuppence is right" said Sir
James quietly I'VE must not leave
the fiat-lf only for Mrs. vandemey-
er's sake"
Julius stared at him.
you think he'd get after herr Be
tween now and tomorrow morning.
How could he know, even%
I'VE have q very formidable adver-
sary. believe, Il we exercise all due
care. that there is a very good chance
Of his being delivered into our hands.
But we must neglect no precaution.
We have an important witness, but
she must be safeguarded l would
suggest that Miss TuppenCe should go
to bed, and that you and I, Mr.. Hers
heimmer, should share the vigil
Tuppence was about to protest. but
happening to glance at the bed she saw
Mrs. Vandemeyer. her eyes half-open,
with such an expression of mingled
fear and malevolence on her face that
1t quite froze the words on her lips
For moment she wondered
whether the faint and the heart attack
had been gigantic sham, but remem-
bering the deadly pallor she could
hardly credit the supposition. AS she
looked the expression disappeared as
by magic, and Mrs. Yandemeyer lay
inert and motionless as before For a
moment the girl fancled she must have
dreamt It. But she determined never
theless to be on the alert.
She hesltated a moment by the bed.
The intensity OF the expression she
had surprised had impressed her pow
erfully Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her
lids. She seemed to be struggling to
speak. Tuppence bent over her.
"Don't-leave-" she seemed unable
to proceed, murmuring something that
sounded like sleepy"
Tuppence bent lower still. 1t was
only breath.
"Mr.-Brown-" The voice stopped.
But the half-closed eyes seemed
still TO send an agonized message.
Moved by a sudden impulse, the girl
said quickly:
Il shan't leave the fiat. I shall sit
up all night"
A flash OF relief showed before the
lids descended once more. Apparent
~ Mrs. Vandemeyer slept. But her
words had awakened a new uneasi-
ness IN Tuppence. What had she
meant Dg that low murmur, Mr..
Brown" Tupoence caught herself
nervously looking over her shoulder.
The big wardrobe iUclfed up in a sim
lister fashion before her eyes. Plenty
Of room for a man to htes in that
Half-ashamed of herself, Tup-
pence pulled 1t open and looked inside,
10 one-Of course She stopped down
and looked under the bed. There was
no other pos lie hiding place.