Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-26

mind. despite the fury that from
smouidering' rage had broken into
naming heat, was logical. measured,
precise. That telephone message
could have come from nowhere else
but from the boathouse. That was
self evident. II Runnells, then. was
at the bottom Of this. the qVesuon
now was whether Runneiis mao go.
back to his room yet or not? And,
If he were back, how long he had
been back ?--the man must be al
lowed to undress and get into PED:
To discover Runnells fully dressed
a this hour was to force the issue
then and there in Runnells' room;
for Runnells. caught like that,
while Ire might be voluble with ex-
plantations. would of necessity at
the same time be thrown instantly
upon his guard, and would not pc
fool enough to be enticed into any
trap, no matter how apparently
genuine the pretense OF accepting
bis explanations might be made 10
appear.
Captain Francis Newcombe was
at the door now listering. Run
neIfs would have had time by now
to have got to bed; certainly there
was no sound from within. and
He drew back from the door sud
denly, but as silently as a shadow.
There was no sound from within,
but some one was creeping. though
with every attempt at silence, up
the staircase. Captain Francis
Newcombe retreated still a little
farther back along the hail. and,
with body Rugged now close against
the wall, waited in the darkness.
He could see nothing-not even
across the hall; and. therefore, he
was quite secure from being OBJ
served himself, but his hand, in his
pocket now, was closed over the
butt of his revolver.
The sounds were very faint. but
they were equally unmistakable-
now the muffled. protesting creak of
O. stair tread! now that sound, like
no other sound so much as the
padded football of an animal. as
weight was cautiously placed on the
carpeted stairs. The footsteps came
nearer and nearer to the upper
landing, slow, laborious in their
caution and stealth. And then an
other sound-equally faint and
equally unmistakable-the opening
and closing of the door at the head
Of the stairs.
Captain Francis Newcombe re-
Taxed. His eyes twisted into a smile
of malignant satisfaction.
Runnells!
Captain Francis Newccombe NOV
ed silently back again to the door
OF Runnells' room, and again listen
movements from within was dis
tinctly audible. Runnells was pre-
pairing to go to bed.
The minutes passed-five-ten of
them. And then Captain Francis
Newcombe knocked softly with his
knuckles on the door-two raps in
quick succession, then a single one
followed by two more.
There was q sound almost on the
instant as of the sudden creaking
of the bed. and then the hurry of
feet across the floor to the door
Then silence again. CAPTAIN
Francis Newcombe smiled thinly to
himself.
Runnells was caution itself. He
repeated the knocks precisely as be-
fore.
The door opened. Runnells show
ed as a white, vague figure in his
night clothes.
Whats up?" whispered Runnells
anxiously.-
said Captain Francis Newcombe
tersely.
Spotted" Runnells echoed the
word with a gulp. Who by?"
Some swine from the Yard !
suppose" replied Captain Francis
Newcombe as tersely as before. do
you remember Detective Sergeant
Mullins?'
Him." gasped Runnells. "ATy
Gawd, he amt followed us here. has
he? Strike me pink! My Cawd. ]
SAID all along it was damned queer
MN showing up at the rooms that
night Are you sure?"
Not yet and 7 never will be 81
you stand there gawking," said Can
tam Francis Newcombe sharply
Go and get your clothes on-and
hurry up about it, It'll soon be
daylight. Every minute counts
Meet me down on the veranda."
lie did not wait for RunnelIs
reply. 1t was not necessary. Run.
nells mad swallowed bait, hook AND
line. Captain Francis Newcombf
INDUCED in a low. savage chuckle
as descending The stairs. he I'M
locked the front door and stepped
quletiW out on the veranda. He
rad not lunged in the dark. MOI
was 1t chance that had prompte cd
MN to endow his bogy with The
personality of Detective Serpeant
Muiiins-he had not forgotten Run
heils white face on the occa sior
when the man from Scotland yard
mad sent him his card,