Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-01

the others face. 1t had become
hard as a classic mask. and did not
change.
The local police won't feel them
selves equal to this" Rawdon said.
They'll want to throw the re-
sponsibility on Scotland Yard. But
they'd think themselves insulted IL
YOU phoned the Yard without warn
ms them. You may as well make the
concession. 1t won't cause any real
delay. The minute word reaches
Sergeant Arson of what has hap
pened here, he'll get cold feet. They
have about as much awe Of Hidden
Hall Court at Ardry-le Mare as you
and | have of high heaven!"
Wells spoke in queer. impersonal
way, as IL he were outside the case,
though Haste knew he must be
aware that evidence, at least, was all
against him. Perhaps he has some
card up his sleeve" Ken thought
hopefully. Maybe he's SO wild at
my suspecting him that he'll spring
the surprise only when the police
come. There may be some secret of
the house-some trap Ewes fallen
into-not fatal. Rawdon may, know
it's going to turn out all right at
last"
Wells opened a door at the end of
the corridor; and the two men
found themselves in the great hall.
Haste realized then how short
time he had been gone, for the same
group of servants still crowded
round the door of the music room.
At sight of him they backed away,
and their faces betrayed such in
tense surprise at seeing Sir Raw
.l,1s II -
his presence. Then Pandora ran out
into the hall. and gave a little cry
as she saw Wells.
$50 you haven't gone to Amer
ica!' she stammered. interrupting
herself, and cutting short some SEN
tence she had decided not to utter.
ken thinks I've kidnapped Eve"
Rawdon answered, with n kind of
defiance. Or else-that I've killed
her
Don't say such things!" the girl
begged.
why not? He'll be saying them
to the police soon." Wells prophesied.
The police!" Pan almost whisper
cd the words.
Unless you've, found out some
thing while l was gone" Ken
anxiously suggested.
NO" she said. we've found out
nothing. Only-Mrs. Gillett has
been telling, us about ghosts-ter-
| rible ghosts here at, the court"
Ken turned away to order a search
| made, and then to go to the telc-
| phone. which was in the library. 1t
| struck him that Pan had seemed
more distressed than surprised TO
see Rawdon. Could she possibly
have known that he intended com
ing to Hidden Hall Court tonight.
| instead OF going to Liverpool from
| town? She had known something
which she hadn't wished to tell. Her
| obstinate determination to follow
| him-ken-to the court was con-
nected with what mysterious some
| thing"
| shell be obliged TO give up ALI
| she knows to the police" he thought
| rather grimly, as he looked for the
| number he wanted. IF any one in
| this house has secret, it's bound to
| come out"
Ardry-le- Mare. the nearest village
| (Which called itself town. was
about four miles from Hidden Hall
| Court; but in less than half an hour
+, "a sergeant OF police and two con-
stables had rumbled up to the door
of the court in a small old fashioned
motorcar. Meanwhile. thorough
seafch OF the house had been made
and as far rs possible of the
grounds: that is. the liswns and gar
dens, the various summer houses
even the stables, the new garage
and the two very old cottages OF
lodgekeepers. There was no trace
, of Eve anywhere. She might have
been touched by some fairy wand
and suddenly made invisible.
Haste had meant to accuse Raw.
don Wells in fierce. direct words til.
moment the police arrived. Blu
somehow, he did not. He hardly
knew why, unless those words 9TH,
benefit Of the doubt" were still ring
ing in his ears.
So let the police find out the trutl
by questioning every one in turn
That would be fair. And IL woult
amount to the same thing in tn,
end.
Wells was inclined to keep to tn,
background and let Haste play mas
ter of the house, but Sergeant An
son could not understand that lin,
OF proceeding. As Rawdon had said
Hidden Hall Court was like higl
heaven to Ardry-le- Mare, but Til
was not because of the grandeur O
the old house or it's riches. il wa
because of "the family"
Sergeant Arson, as a boy of nine
teen, had volunteered for the Doe
war and served under Sir Rawdon'
father. In 1914 he had offered him
self again "for the fighting" and ha,
been a sergeant in Captain Sir Raw
don Wells regiment before the &C
cident which put Wells out OF Tn
war. Just because Sir. Rawdon ha.
lent his house to honeymool
couple Gas every one in Ardry-le
Mare knew he had done) Ansol
wasn't going to have strange
acting as spokesman with him Il
Sir Rawdon's place.
l