Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-30

, where. Whether it's Just q chastity
! practical joke you're playing. or
whether you've done away with her
because she was mine. not yours. 1
don't know yet, but will know.
We found a footprint in blood which
led US to the secret door behind the
tapestry-and then red finger
killed her!"
Rawdon Wells tanned olive skin
seemed to fade.
You believe such a thing Of me-"
he broke out. Il thought We were
friends"
so did I. But now 1 know we're
enemies"
Very WELL" the other said. 1.-THE
footprint you speak of isn't mine,
nor the finger marks. I'd die a hun
bred deaths sooner than hurt q hair
of Eve CARROTS head. II harms
come to her in this house Il won't
take anything of the sort for grant
ed yeti it's as much a mystery to me
as to you. And whether we're to be
friends or enemies, you're bound u
give me the benefit of the doubt"
The benefit OF the doubt" Haste
bitterly echoed. With no other an
swer he walked about the room, ex-
aiming everything. looking with
mingled fear and eagerness for any
sign that Eve had been brought into
the laboratory, living or dead. sud
denly he sprang forward with n cry.
Her handkerchief" he cried.
snatching up a bit of cambria ami
lace.
IT had lain on the table. where
Wells had flung his hat and gloves.
and placed several packets of papers
besides legal-looking tin box; and
ii was at this table Rawdon had
been standing when Haste burst into
the room.
Her monogram" he said, and.
even without that Id know 1t was
Ewes by the perfume. It's the scent
she always uses"
1T is her handkerchief. grant
YOU Rawdon admitted. but
stole 1t when | said good-by to her
after her marriage with you today,
Ken. 1t was to be a souvenir-the
only one | have of her-cxcept a few
memories
Rot" Ken flung at him. you
expect me to believe that? You
shall not leave this house, Wells.
You shall not sail for America. I'm
going To phone to the local police,
and TO London Scotland Yard.
unless ! find Eve alive and we'll
within the next fifteen minutes. The
police will know whether those
marks up above are made by YOUR
root and your fingcrs-and whether
that-that red stuff is human blood"
That's exactly what would sug-
Sest. said Rawdon Wells, speaking
more quietly as he got himself under
control. IF YOU don't find Eve
within the next few minutes Won
should certainly call in the police.
AS it's my house and invited Won
both here. should insist on you do
ing that. even If YOU didn't wish IL
Yourself. or course. il she's not
iound; shant dream of sailing.
But she will he found. The DAYS of
dreadful happenings in this house
are over centuries ago. il there ever
were any except in legend. There's
7 hothlng mysterious about the place
row. and"
You say that. when I've inst
broken into your laboratory--which
you'd never let any one scc-broken
In through secret door, coming
down a secret stairway"
All very old houses have secret
passages or rooms" said Wells. iii
EaS amused me to utilize this old
cellar. But there's another way
uoWn TO the laboratory, quite open
and frank"
What do care? Don't let's
stand arguing" Ken cut him short,
III do what YOU ask I'll give Won
the benefit of the doubt-for fifteen
blood?" '"'
a. don't know. can't form a
theory yet" Wells said. Perhaps
1t isn't blood"
Il pray God it's not But It al
most certainly is" Haste eroaned
Tome up with me. But | warn Won
wells, ] don't mean to let you out
Oh my sight for an instant"
Il don't ask you to- don't wish
II, answered Rawdon. But he was
pare. and his eyes showed trouble
su!it perhaps. or so Haste judged.
AS 1r To prove the truth OF his as
Sertlon, the master of the house Ied
MS guest (what mockerv the
word secmed!)up TO the ground floor
by another way As he had sa,d
thcre was nothing hidden about a.,
door led from the laboratory inio
an antechamber and thence In
large open cellar. There, evervday-
ooJecls could be seen in the electric
iight which Wells switched on.
nuSe modern furnace for the central
heatlng which he had installed: his,
compartments for storing wood and
Coa,s; an apparatus for heating
mains; doors labeled wine" and
mineral Waters: stone stairway
leading in different dircction, All
appeared commonplace and com
Portable, except for one detail