White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-08-12
tain but that Achille speaks Englls


The listeners were startled at tho
sudden change they saw on theli
hosts face. Where he had been mere
ly thoughtful and slightly worried he
was now actively alarmed. He was
leaning forward examining something
on the table before him. They re-
membered 1t was the electric dial,
that ingenious device for the protec'
ton Of his home against invaders.
The face Of the dial was divided
into six parts. These numbered Sec
tons would tell Milman on what part
of the roof the intruder was. The
three, pressing about him. saw that a
red light suddenly Illuminated the
square marked 1. A hand moved very
slowly to the square numbered g.
THAT" Milman whispered, looking
relieved, represents the weight. Six
pounds means a large and prowling
cat"
They heard a sudden exclamation.
The weight went up a hundred and
twenty pounds. The square numbered
l was now in darkness and another
was Illuminated. They could trace
the path Of the trespasser. He was
creeping near them.
"Achille," Milman whispered. THAT
would be his weight. The six pounds
was when he rested foot on 1t be-
fore putting his whole weight on the
grating"
Peter Milman betrayed no nervous
ness now. Noiselessly he drew the
sawed-off shotgun from Its place.
lights in the garden were extinguished.
In the darkness the shades rolled
back. Against the sky, bright with
stars, the watchers could see a figure
lying above their heads. Another
light was switched on which left the
group below still in darkness, but
showed pitilessly on the trespasser.
The gun was already at Milman's
shoulder when Neeland Barnes made
jump for it and pulled the barrel
down.
"My God, Milman ~ he cried, white
faced. "It's my girl. It's Nita."
"Ah," said Milman with a curious
smile, $50 perceive. A strange posi-
ton in which to find a guest, is it
not?"
"Inexplicable," said Bradney. He
cast suspicious look at Barnes.
II think" Peter Milman went on,
1--WE should like talk with Miss
Barnes"
"I'll fetch her." Barnes said eagerly.
He was confused, ashamed, humili-
ated.
"You will be kind enough to remain
here" said Milman. Barnes saw that
he was menaced by that most dread
full of weapons at short range, the
sawed-off shotgun. He remembered
its load of buckshot. II fear must
remind you that we must insist on an
explanation from you, too. To allow
you the opportunity Of escape would
be most unwise." He raised his voice
a little, but he did not take his steady
gaze from Barnes face.
Miss Barnes" he said, twill you be
so kind as to come here at onceY
The girls voice trembled as she an
swered. 1t seemed to them all there
was trace of defiance in her tone.
II won't be a minute. It's not very
comfortable up here"
The shades were drawn again and
the lights switched on more fully.
Neeland Barnes looked from one to
the other Of the men whose faces had
been in the shadow. 1t seemed in
credible that they could suspect him
of completely in this eavesdropping.
1t was plain enough what her errand
was.
LET me explain" he began.
Peter Milman stopped him with a
gesture. wait" he commanded. 1--WE
shall hear you when your daughter
comes"
Barnes sank heavily into seat. He
felt that Bradney and Malet looked
upon him as traitor.
Nita was wearing blue silk dress
ing wrap when she came into the
Japanese garden. Her bearing was
confident and unafraid She came
quickly to her fathers side and put
an arm about his bowed shoulders.
ooh, Nita, Nita," he groaned. "How
could you do such dreadful thing
as this?"
Malet, watching her closely, saw
that she bent upon the sitting man Il
look which had something Of maternal
tenderness in 1t. 1t seemed strange
to the observers that she stood there
as though to defend her father from
enemies. OF shame or embarrassment
there was no sign.
$50 you caught me-" she said.
well, perhaps it is best you did"
"Why?" Peter Milman demanded.
(To BE CONTINUED