Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-29

" from pelOW. We
Is NV God, Is there nobody who
can tell me anything" groaned
Haste, and flung away without an
swering the question.
He thought--so far as he was ca
nable of thinking-that the SOUND OF
the scream had come from the moor
below. and he dashed downstairs,
two steps at time. Yes, he was
right. A woman was in mysteries.
jabbering between sobs and gaspings
for breath. A mans voice ana q
girls mingled in trying to sooth ner.
The girls voice was Pans. The
mans he did not recognize, nor
trouble his mind with the effort to
do SO.
Like a sleepwalker beginning to
wake, he wandered on past the din
ing-room, where he and Eve had
talked together so happily a little
while-only a little while-ago. and
went into the mushroom adjoining.
1t was empty, but door that he had
not seen in the paneling was open.
| There was q light beyond-and the
voices.
"Oh, I knew knew something
would happen. ! didn't want them
| to come here," the wailing woman
moaned.
DO be silent. You're making a
fool of YOURSELF" Pandora said
sharply. 1T may not be"
Kennedy Haste felt as If a hand
gripped his throat as he walked
| through that deep doorway in the
| thick, old wall.
| The room ON the other side was
| small, octagonal in shape, and hung
! with tapestry. He had never seen
it before; but he hardly thought OF
this.
His eyes went straight to a group
huddled together close to the OPP
posite wall. Above their heads
classic tapestry faces smirked
against n dim background of old
green's and blues. Pandora was there
with the magnificent Italian butler,
and woman of middle age whom
Haste had never seen.
What are you talking about?" he
heard himself demand roughly.
All three turned with a start of
surprise. They had been too deeply
absorbed to hear him coming, and
evidently their nerves had suffered a
severe shock.
1t was Pan who answered, but it
was at the woman Haste looked. He
hardly saw the girl, or the dignified
old man with the dark Italian brows
and silver hair. The panic fear on
the woman's pale face fascinated him.
She stared with wide open black
eyes into his, as if stricken by the
sound of his voice.
who are you?" he asked sharply.
The woman's lips parted, but she
appeared unable to answer. Pan
spoke for her. This is Mrs. Gillett,"
she explained. Don's housekeeper-
Fanny Gillett's mother. The butler
wall pushed back, between the
music room and this one-the
tapestry boudoir, think it's called.
That surprised him because-be-
cause it isn't a door any one knew
about. Then-he saw something
here on the floor. And-he thought
he ought to call Mrs. Gillett. Hos
new to the house and"
What did he see?' Ken broke in
on the hating explanation.
He took a step nearer, but Pan
dora almost flung herself upon him,
pushing him back with both hands
she cried. Not now-not suddenly,
like this"
Haste swung the girl off her feet
and set her behind him. Instantly
and respectfully the butler made
way for his masters guest.
On the polished floor, close to the
wall, was a mans footprint, clearly
marked in liquid red. There were
also u few crimson drops sprinkled
near, as if they had dripped from a
wound for the red fluid was certain
ly blood.
"Oh, l wish I hadn't seen it"
.nhb hn IL -
bring me here to look at such hor-
rCrs!"
Haste gave her one glance.
Strange, if she We're Rawdon Wells
Eousekeeper, he had never before
had glimpse of her. Before the war
he had often come down for week.
ends at Hidden Hall Court. There had
been an old housekeeper in those
days, relic of Rawdon's fathers
time. Suspiciously, Ken told him.
self that there was mystery about
the nervous, Misunderstanding
creaturc--who must have been
n beauty once. And Fanny Gillett
was her daughter!
Why should the two have schemed
TO get footing in this house, be-
fore tic wedding?-for they must
have schcmcd! Could their plan
nave any connection-but the
thought broke before the rush of
another, more insiscnt. This was
the room-this tapestry boudoir-
whence the tragic bride of Hidden
Hall Court had vanished, years and
years ago.
There must be a concealed door
behind the tapestry just here" ne
said, "or that footprint wouldn't be
where it is, close to the wall"
1T is so. L was thinking, sare,"
ventured Marianti, the butler, in I'M
derstandable English, though with a
strong accent. Il send for re 'ouse-
keeper, Madame ERE, because she
know if care is secret way out of zis
room"
Il know nothing Of the kind" ex-
claimed Mrs. Gillctt. And turning
again to Haste, she added. I've
been here only q few months. Sir
Rawdon was acquainted with my
family. When his old housekeeper
had to retire on account of her age.
he engaged me"
What does all that natter"
Haste cut in, desperately. There
must be door here, / tell you, I'm
going to find it. There's no use now
trying to keep back the truth from
any one. My wife has disappeared
not of her own accord. Something
mas happened to her. There's been
foul play"
Don't say that, Ken" Pandora
begged. You can't be sure. She
may be playing you a trick"
oud not dream that Eve would
40 such crQel thing, if you'd ever
ilked her or done her justice" Haste
reproached the girl bitterly.
If re gentleman permit me. I helm
I'm look for re door behind re tapes-
try the butler nuieflv said at 49,