The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-12-23

this calm, intent statement OF fact
was q chill touch ar her heart And
yet
But what enemies can Aunt Cor
nelia have?" she asked helplessly.
ANY man viii tell you what / do"
said the doctor, with increasing seri-
BUSINESS. He took a cigarette from his
case and tapped il on the case 10
emphasize his words. This is no
place for two women, practically
alone"
Dale moved away from him rest
lessly, TO warm her hands at the fire.
The doctor gave a quick glance
around the room. Then, unseen by
her, he stepped neiselessly over TO the
table, took the matchbox there of its
holder and slipped IL into his pocket
II seemed q curiously useless and
meaningless gesture, but his next
words evinced that the action had
been deliberate.
II don't seem TO be able TO find any
Matches" he said, with assumed
carelessness, iddling with the match
box holder.
Dale turned away from the fire.
"Oh, aren't there any? I'll get you
some" she said with automatic polite
ness, and departed to search for
them
The doctor watched her go-saw the
door close behind her. Instantly his
face set into tense and wary lines.
He glanced about-then ran lightly
up into the alcoye and noiselessly IN
fastened the bolt on the terrace door
which he had pretended TO fasten
after his search of the shrubbery.
When Dale returned with the matches,
he was back where he had been
when she had left him, glancing at
magazine on the table.
He lit his cigarette and drew in
the fragrant smoke with apparent
gusto. But a moment later he had
crushed out the glowing end in an
ash-receiver.
by the way, has Miss Van Gorder
a reyolverI' he queried casually,
glancing at his wrist watch
''Yes-she fired ii off this after
noon TO see if it would work" Dale
smiled at the memory
The doctor, too, seemed amused. IF
she tries TO shoot anything-for good
ness sake stand behind herr he ad-
vised. He glanced at the wrist watch
again. "Well-I must be going"
IF anything happens" said Dale,
slowly, i shall telephone YOU at once"
Her words seemed to disturb the
doctor slightly-bu. only for a second.
He grew even more urbane.
I'll be home shortly after mid
night he said. I'm stopping at the
Johnsons' on my way-one Of their
children is ill-or supposed to be-"
He took a step toward the door, then
he turned toward Dale again.
Take a parting word of advice"
he said. The thing to do with a mid
night prowler is-let him alone. Lock
your bedroom doors and don't let any
thing bring you out till morning"
THANK you" said Dale, seriously.
Good night, Doctor-Billy will let
you out-he has the key"
BY JoveI" laughed the doctor,
you are careful, aren't yeuI The
place is like a fortressi well-good
night, Miss Dale"
Good night" The door closed be-
hind him Dale was left alone. Sud-
denly her composure left her, the
fixed smile died. She stood gazing
ahead at nothing, her face a mask of
terror and apprehension But when
Billy returned with the front-door key
she was as impassive as he was.
Has the new gardener come yet?"
HE here" said Billy stolidly.
name Brook"
She was entirely herself once more
when Billy, departing, held the door
open wide-to admit Miss Cornelia
Van Gorder and q tall-strong-featured
man, quietly dressed, with reticent,
piercing eyes-the detective!
dale, dear" said Miss Cornelia,
with triumph in her voice. This is
Mr.. Anderson
The newcomer bowed, glancing at
her casually and then looking away.
Miss Cornelia, however, was obvious
ly in fine feather and relishing to the
utmost the presence of a real detec-
tive in the house.
This is the room / spoke Of" she
said briskly. "An the disturbances
have taken place around that terrace
door,"
The detective took three swift steps
into the alcove, glanced about it
searchingly. He indicated the stairs.
THAT is not the main staircase?"
"No-the main staircase is out
there" Miss Cornelia waved her hand
in the direction of the hall.
The detective came out Of the al
cove and paused by the French win
dows-
''HeIlo-what's this?" he said sharp
ly, his eye lighting On the broken
glass below the shattered French win
dow. He picked up a piece Of the
glass and examined it.
Dale cleared her throat 1T was
broken from the outside a few min
utes ago. she said.
1.-The outsider Instantly the detec-
tive had pulled aside a blind and was
staring out into the darkness.
Yes And then that letter was
thrown in" She pointed TO the
threatening missiye on the center