The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-12-30


house.
There's candle on the table, Jack,
IL i can find the table" Her out
stretched hands touched familiar
object "Here it Is" She fumbled
for a moment. 'Have ycu any
matches?"
Yes" He struck one-another-
Lit the candle-set ii down on the
table. In the weak glow of the little
taper, whose tiny flame illuminated
but a portion of the living room, his
face locked tense and strained.
Its pretty near hopeless" he said.
''if all the walls are paneled like that"
As if in mockery of his words and
his quest, a muffied knocking that
seemed to come from the ceiling of the
very room he stood in answered his
despair.
whats that?' asked Dale.
They listened. The knocking was
repeated - knock - knock-kIock -
knock.
"Some one else is looking for the
hidden room!" muttered Brooks, gaz-
ing up at the ceiling intently, as if
he could tear from ii the secret Of this
new mystery by sheer strength Of will.
Its upstairs Dale took a step
toward the alccve stairs. Brooks halt
ed her.
who's In this house besides our
selyes?' he queried.
'Only the detective-Aunt Cornelia
-Lizzie-and Billy"
'Billy's the Jap?'
'Yes"
Brooks paused an instant docs
he belong TO your aunt?''
mo. He was Courtleigh Jennings
butler"
Knock -knock-knock-
dull, methodical rapping on the cell
ing Of the living room began again.
"Courtleigh Jennings butler, eh?"
muttered Brooks. He put down his
candle and stole noiselessly into the
alcove. 1T may be the Jap!" he whis-
pered.
Knock - knock - knock - knock
seemed to come from the upper hall.
eff it is the Jap, I'll get him J"
Brooks voice was tense with resolu-
ton. He hesitated-made for the hall
door-tiptoed out into the darkness
around the main staircase, leaving
Dale alone in the living room, beset
by shadowy terrors.
ell -
less departure. Even the storm luIled
for moment. Dale stood thinking
wondering searching desperately for
some way to help her lover.
At last a resolution formed in her
mind. She went to the city telephone.
Hello" she said in a low voice.
glancing over her shoulder now and
then TO make sure she was not over
heard, "1-2--please- that's
right. Hello-is that the Country
club? Is Mr.. Richard Fleming there?
Yes, I'll hold the wire"
She looked about nervously. Had
something moved in that corner of
blackness where her candle did not
pierce? No! How silly of her!
Buzz-buzz on the telephone. She
picked up the receiver again.
"Hellc-is this Mr.. Fleming? This
is Miss Ogden-Dale Ogden. / know
it must seem odd my calling you this
late, butt wonder if you could come
over here for few minutes. Yes
tonight" Her voice grew stronger:
Il wouldn't trouble you BUTTS aw-
fully important. Held the wire a mo-
ment" She put down the phone and
made another swift survey of the
room, listened furtively at the door
all clear! She returned to the phone.
'Hello-Mr. Fleming-ITl wait out
side the house on the drive. lifts
a confidential matter. Thank you so
much"
She hung up the phone, relieved
not an instant too soon, for, as she
crossed toward the fireplace to add a
new log TO the dying glow of the
fire, the hall door opened and Ander-
son, the detective, came softly in with
an unlighted candle in his hand.
'.Spooky sort Of place in the dark,
isn't it?" he said casually.
'Yes-rather" If he would only go
away before Brooks came back or
Richard Fleming arrivedl But he
seemed in distressingly chatty
frame Of mind.
Left me upstairs without MATCH
continued Anderson. Il found my way
down by walking part of the way and
falling the rest. Don't suppose I'll
ever find the room / left my tooth
brush in" He laughed, lighted the
candle in his hand from the candle
on the table.
You're not going to stay up all
night, are your" said Dale, nervously,
hoping he would take the hint. But
he seemed entirely oblivious Of such
minor considerations as sleep. He
took out cigar.
"Oh, may doze a bit" he said. He
eyed her with a certain approval. She
was a darned pretty girl and she
looked intelligent. ct suppose you
have a theory of your own about
these intrusions you've been having
here? Or apparently having
at knew nothing about them until
tonight"
"Still," he persisted conversational
", "you know about them now" But
when she remained silent, 'Ts Miss