The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-03-21
CHAPTER vI-continued.


s.
And as he considered this, his hand
In one pocket touched his key-ring
and light came into his eye. There
was always of course that key of the
side door-the private entry used per-
sonally by his uncle when he was liv-
Ing, for his own mysterious exits and
entrances, and for the entrances of
his peculiar and particular visitors
which ii brought directly into his
great private office on the second
floor. He remembered taking the key
In his hand that day when his uncle
gave it to him-rthe keenness of his
satisfaction TO know that the old finan-
cier so far trusted him as to give him
that very special key of his own pri-
vate door. The key to the front door
he had naturally; that was his home
In those days just after his own peo-
pie had died-those years he was In
Yale before his cousins marriage.
That door, the secret personal en-
trance of the old financier, was prob
ably unused now-indeed he had
heard so-unless Jasper Haig still
kept key to it. And If soft any
thing strange or sinister had taken
place within that house-here was the
means of seeing 1t for himself. After
all, he had never been quite of his
uncle's mind about Jasper Haig He
had never greatly trusted him. His
decision was made now; he would
take the chance and see the situation
for himself.
1t was this resolve. we may assume.
which gave to Adelaide that very
night a sudden startling shock-the
unusual sight of the door of her late
fathers great study at the back of the
second floor slowly opening from in
side as she passed by.
keep still, Rags" she said, and
stopped the dogs slow growing.
After all it might be one of the
reason. She snapped on the light in
the big room from the outside button
and pushed back the partly open door
into the room. the grasp upon its
knob inside first opposing and then
relaxed. She. was, not unnaturally,
surprised when the door was finally
opened, at the sight Of a tall and
rather handsome stranger standing
watching her with an amused and
friendly smile inside.
Adelaide" he said, and smiled that |
smile Of a lifetime's close acquaint- |
ance.
But she herself was occupied for
the moment at the collar of Rags, who |
though usually silent at such times
was inclined to be extremely business
like.
Adelaide" the stranger said again
and she was now astonished even
more than she was afraid. for this
man very clearly assumed that she
must know him.
THE old keyl" he said, holding out
his key-ring. "Your fathers private
entrancei"
Adelaide Rutherford was not mere
y surprised now-she was greatly EN-
oarrassed. Who was this man with
private key in her own house? Could
I be-she asked herself with a sense
almost of fright.
you act" he said, "as If you did
lot know mel" And now, when she
lad come under the stronger light she
lad turned on in the room, his eyes
Icrutinized her face in a very singu-
ar way.
Eyes. Oh, ye-. Yes-certainly
10 !" she said bresthlessly. But new
she stepped back. and one
land-free now from the reconciled
log. who was nosing at the new
omer's hand for attention-lay at \
he side of her face.
YES" she said ''Of course / know
'ou. But you must go. You must
lever come in here again. That was
'ur agreement
And with her speaking, the sound
4 her voice. the face of the stranger,
which had been tense before, took on
harder and very definite look.
She became insistent when he lin
'ered, with that odd, hard scrutiny ON
Ter face. Go" she said. before l I
all in the servants !" 1
She did not do so Immediately, he |
observed; yet finally, after some hesi- '
alton, he went out-through the pri- |
ate door down upon the walk. and
With glance upward, hurried down I
he side street upon which the en- Z
rance opened. he walked like man
Iazed-caught half way between won I
Ter and horror. 1t was a block be- {
ore he stopped and said-with 8
lank face, talking to himself: {
''What is this? Foul play?"