New Britain herald., 1924-03-27
NOW co ON WITH TIE STORY


 morning.
 They went out. closing the door softly. and Sallie fancied that she heard key turn in the lock. After an interval she arose and tip-toed again to the window. Dr. Quaters' car had turned and pulled up under the shadows Of the trees on the op- posite side of the avenue but another | was just drawing in at the curb. IL was a huge roadster and a tall gaunt figure emerged from it clad in an ulster which Tapped in the strong night wind. The man turned for an instant to speak 10 the chauffeur and in the rays Of the lamp his sharp aquiline profile showed as clearly cut as though on the screen; then he turned and started across the side walk directly below the watching girl and his car moved on slowly up the Avenue.
 Sallie turned and looked quickly about her. The soft pink hathrobe which Miss Tidmarsh had substituted for her tea-gown lay over the foot of the chaise tongue with pair Of 1 pink mules beside it on the floor and l though 1t was conspicuously light for her purpose Sallie wrapped it about her and thrust her feet in the slip pers,
 The door was locked as she had anticipated, but not for nothing had 1 Mike once shown her the uses to which a bent wire could be put, and there were plenty Of strong hairpins t,. l,a 1ea nf 4alt h Five minutes or patient. cautious twisting in the lock brought reas- surfing click to her ears as the key turned back and in another moment she was in the hall with the door closed behind her.
 Rich. subdued lights glowed from side brackets and up from the well Of the staircase but the house was silent.
 Wrapping her robe more tightly about her she went 10 the rail and recrcd upward and then below but 10 one was visible and while she paused dcep-tone1 clock from somewhere in the house boomed our twelve solemn strokes.
 Sallle praged forward and de- seconded like silent little pink streak to the floor below. Here the hall vidcned and several closed doors faced her but although she listened at each no sound came from behind them.
 The second flight was broader and curved outward, the huge. bronze lamp on the newel post scnt warm rays into every corner Of the spa cious entrance hall and as the girl crept downward she beard at last the subdued rumble of masculine voices from behind the middle door or three on the opposite side Of The house.
 Sailie advanced toward it step by step 10 peer through the kcyhole. The stranger with the sharp. aquiline features was seated at a huge table almost facing her with some papers spread out before him. Bookcases lowered against the wall back Of his chair and Mrs Copeland's gray sleeve and heavily ringed hand came within the girls range Of sision be- side him. while the back of Dr. Quai- ters' sleek head was before her and a shadow which moved restlessly up and down indicated that Wheeler sloat was pacing the floor.
 The rumble Of voices went on but not distinct word reached her cars and in exasperation saliie straight ened and made for the next door toe ward the rear. The knob turned be- meath her hand and she found her. self in a dining room. She gave scarcely a glance at the massive fur- 1siture and great crystal chandeliers but turned anxiously toward thc wall at her right on the farther side Of which that conference was taking place. Curtains hung over an arched cntfance-way and drawing them noiseicssiy aside Sallie dis covered pair Of folding doors.
 She listened once more but only that maddening monotone Of voices reached her and in desperation she pressed against the doors and pushed them apart for the barest fraction Of an iach. then let the draperies fali in place behind her.
 Perfectly satisfactory as far ss the girls record is concerned" < mans voice which she had never heard be- | lore uttered the words in snbdued but rich, carrying tones. Orphan, no living relatives known. shop-girl. 1 popular, but no intimate friends among Ter own sex except the old Brennan woman with whom l she made her home: believed 10 batc teen engaged to-"
 "Oh. for hesyen's sake. cut all that 1 and let us get down 10 brass tacks. ] IBellous!" IL was unmistakably Sloat's exclamation. ''Saliie Peck is dead and buried, Wasn't her funeral ysstsrday7"
 Saiiis reeled and ciutched the heavy curtains for support. Sheer horror overwhelmed her for a mo- ment, but a sharp cry from Mrs. Copeland brought her back to her senses.
 Wheeler How can you be SO so inhuman! How can you speak So caIlously Of the-ths dead."
 ''weIl, we've got to face the facts as they stand, haven't re. If we're going on with this?" saIlie held her breath and peering through the