Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-08-08
CHAPTER IX-Continued
ID

Renshaw walked slowly back to the
house and, leaving his coat and hat In
the ball closet, entered the study and
shut and locked the door. He want
ed to he alone and TO think. He sat
down IN q chair before the fire and
mentally held Stanley's story up for
inspection. He believed the old man
had told him all he knew. He be
heVed that what he had tod him was
true. 9e also knew, with absolute
certainty. that the little episode Of
Madame HvOeslefs memoirs, vital as
1t Was 70 her and the Campbells, had
nothing Ehateyer to do with the phe-
nomena be himself had observed at
Tawno Ker-unless. indeed, the freak
ish exchange Of the leather cases had
some connection with them.
Madame Hyoeslefs memoirs did not
account FOR prowIing, climbing things,
FOR blue circles. and for all the per
sonal attention he himself had re-
ceiyed in the still hours OF the night.
lie was In no way connected with the
memoirs. Neither did the fact that
the household staff was on guard &C
count for these things But, by the
way. II the servants we're on guard.
why the deuce hadn't they heard
some OF the sounds that had dis
turbed him? Possibly they had con
fined their pussy-footing to the other
wing OF the house, the one that held
the memoirs and their owner That
would be natural enough. Also, there
would be only one OF them on the job
each night They would take turns,
of course.
The contrast between the interest
Ing but simple explanation Stanley
had given him and the things he him
self knew WAS nothing short Of star
Ting Renshaw's mind chung to that !:
nut he went 10 bis desk, seated him
self and stretched a resolute hand
toward the morning mail. To attend
70 that was his obvious duty now. His
other duties were not obvious at all.
Officially, he was in charge" what
ever that meant Personally, he was
TO watch" The memory Of the com
mand, and the manner in which II was
delivered made him nod slowly 10
himself Out Of all the tangle around
him. one fact at least doomed clear.
Campbell did know-perhaps Ind
just lenrned-that something other
than the foreign memoirs needed
watching az Tawno Ker Something
had happened 10 Campbell last night.
something that had opened his eyes,
something that had then possibly
caused his collapse. To find out the
exact nature Of that something was
Renshaw's real job. It was large
order; but he would do his best.
The prospect greatly stimulated
him. To write dozen letters a day
and hang disconsolately around the
house the rest OF the time would have
depressed him very much. The nj
ternntive-to keep his eyes open. tC
watch, to get 10 the bottom or bust
ness that first annoyed. then puzzled
and finally fascinated would
be worth while He ought to be able
TO make some progress tonight. II,
felt an inner certainty that at leas
he would be given the chance.
The longest, thlckest envelope In m,
heap Of mall was addressed 10 him
self. He tore II open with a quicken
Ing OF his hearth beats, and number
OF Enclosures fell out He picked thes,
up and examined them. ut first almos
feyerishly. then carefully and witt
great elaboration As he ala SO. 4
became clear that they were not oni,
Interesting but highly satisfactory
At last he laid the Enclosures down
and leaned back In his chair for
moment OF qualification
Miss Campbell, II she had beer
present. would have been lntereste,
IN the change Of his expression. Sh,
had seen something like It once be
fore-a sudden Illumination OF hi
features, like the fash Of llrh
through darkness. But this chang,
did not pass almost at once. as IN,
other had done II fingered lonl
time while the new secretary, llp
pursed IN contented whistle. opene,
and read the remaining mail.