The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-01-14

ing my body with its outline, so that
l might not be observed. I could see
her more clearly now. She was that
most symbolic figure in an English
household; n respectable, elderly par
lormaid. At least. the light touched
her hair and showed it gray, while her
well-star ched apron stood out in stiG
folds. What was she doing? The idea
% so respectable a servant standing
n the drizzle upon the steps Of house
at this hour was preposterous. Evil
IDENTIFY she was waiting for somebody.
Love? Surely her years and her ap-
pearance made that unlikely. So I
| thought, though I we'll knew that old
age, strange circumstances, and peril.
never stand in the way of passions.
Still she was watching. I wondered
for a moment whether she was the
3ccOmplice Of thieves. and had grown
impatient; but then she would not
commit the folly of standing in the
full light.
have learned this much in noe
turnal adventure, that ten seconds
Of conversation is better than an hour
of observation. So I carefully re-
leased myself from the lamp and,
treading loudly to draw her attention,
went up the square. AS soon as she
heard my footsteps, the maid turned
toward me. Her attitude STOPPING a
/ little forward, was tense. No doubt
she was short sighted, and took me
for the. person for whom she was
waiting. AS came closer. she seemed
to hesitate, took a step toward the
house, then came back. I was quite
| close now; marked her pleasant, thin
| old face, and the extreme neatness
of her clothing. / was determined
to know what she was doing here,
and prepared to stop, intending to
ask her my way. But as I stopped,
and before I could speak, she jumped
air Of piteous appeal in her eyes; her
/ hands rising. she cried: ooh, Mr..
Charlie, you've come at last"
Automatically I replied: Sorry I've
been delayed" But as I spoke I knew
that she was not mistaking me for
another person. I could see the lie
+ in her eyes, the deprecating smile up
| on her lips. She knew that I was
not Charlie; her intention to entangle
me manifested itself at once in hur-
/ ried speech. ooh, Mr. Charlie. she's
so very bad, and she's been asking
/ for you all night. Please come up
now You won't have to stay very
/ long. Oh. Mr.. Charlie, It's so awful
/ to see her so i'll. She's been such a
good mistress to me all these years"
While she spoke, I analysed the
situation. Evidently I was to be asked
into the house. Evidently / was to
be made to believe that I was the
missing Charlie. Something strange
and sensational must hide behind this.
/ for people do not lay traps for casual
! strangers In Viking Square. In the
slums, yes; in the gilded center Of
the town, yes; but not in the midst
of responsibility. Besides, 1 was not
wearing evening clothes, and no doubt,
after two hours in the wet, 1 did not
look like a good prospect for robbers.
The front door was open. The black
ness of the hall drew me irresistibly.
7 must know what there was behind.
So. playing my part, / said: "All
right. Don't get excited. But then
YOU always were excitable. weren't
vou?" I went up the steps and fol
owed the maid into the hall
II
The front door closed behind me
myster4ously. Almost at once, the
maid touched a switch which filled
with radiance a large and wealthy
apartment The well-drilled servant
took my macintosh from my Shout
| ders and as I, with intentional slow
ness. withdrew myself from Its folds,
7 was able to observe with surprise the
/ luxury of my surroundings: The walls
we're covered with tapestry panels let
/ INTO white and gold frames. The hall
was bare, containing only a table an.
| two chairs, but these three were a.
most priceless Chinese Chippendale
pieces, museum pieces. the backs cut
out in fantastic scroIlings, ribbons ant.
wheels. And my feet perceived the