San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-25

that girl-it's nearly one now, and if she
does come home to lunch it'll be about
two that she'll see me-"
The sound of footsteps and voices was
family audible now in the depths of the
house. Mr.. Brummelton picked up a sec
ond piece of sacking with which to drape
the table and swivel chair, and as he did
so another hidden bell vibrated-the sig
nal that whoever was inspecting Number
Is Cannington Gardens had expressed
wish to look at the attics.
ut could not by chance be Yclding?"
He don't know my old nurses address,"
said Bertha. ITS Just some house-hunting
boob you bet! Look here, let's take the
books through into your room and get on
with 'em there. They'll only think you're
reading aloud to yourself or something if
they do hear US"
Mr. Brummelton knew better than to
raise an objection on a point of practical
execution; nevertheless, he felt a distinct
doubt as he successfully disguised the Ia
BILE and put Bertha's dustcloth round her.
Once locked away, the books presented no
, menace, for, by an ingenious design of
his own, the forcing of the lock soaked
the greater part of the lumber room in
petrol and then set it ablaze. As he fol-
lowed Bertha down the narrow way to
the secret door he allowed himself to
dream for a moment of the end Of "the
gamc"-the last diary destroyed Bertha
in unshakabIe possession of Monks Yield
ing. wealth flowing into her Golfers and
his, and his tortured memory given rest
at last.
ITS funny thing" she whispered as
they gained the door into the wardrobe,
"but this is the first time anyone has come
to see the house while I've been working
here. Hope it don't mean the luck has
turned"
Mr.. Brummelton squeezed past her in
the confined space of the wardrobe, felt
for the spring and pushed at the door into
the bedroom
"You are too gallant to he supersti-
tious," he was beginning, when he broke
off and drew the door swiftly shut again.
"What is it," breathed Bertha.
Mr.. Brummelton snatChed an electric
torch from his pocket and, letting the light
play upon his lips, spoke without sound.
''There's something up against the ward
robe door. l could only open it an inch
or so. It's-a piece of furniture Of some
kind. | believe it is my waShStand.'
Bertha Larogni had gone rigid. Then
she reOpened the door into the attic he
hind them, holding it ajar. The footsteps
of Block and the stranger had reached the
floor below.
''No sense in being worse trapped than
we are" she remarked. using her lips only,
as he had. She jerked her head toward
the bedroom anyone there"
81 cannot he sure"
"We'l have to risk that. ! s'pose Ma
Madgwick couldn't be doing spring-clean-
ing of a sudden?"
'"The one thing that in ten years have
never forgotten is to lock my door,
Bertha"
Gould anyone have got in by the win
dow? Anybody sleeping on the same
floor? Hurry up
"There are only two other rooms at the
back-Mrs Madgwick's and the servants.
It might be possible to climb from one of
those right over the roof"
That's what's been done. you bet; and
it's unlikely whoever did it is waiting for
you. Coming up to cut us off in the attic,
more likely"
As though in challenge, the footsteps
left the floor below and mounted the last
flight of stairs. Swiftly, Bertha stepped
back into the attic and selected from
heap of rusty ire-irOns a heavy poker.
She gave it to Mr.. BrummeltOn.
Take that. If it's anyone ! can tackle
| shall stay here and do it. As soon as
I've closed the wall-door, try and lever
(CD 1895 by American Weekly.