The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1927-03-04
I GERALDINE
BONNER
0ssslsHT b NE eoBes- NeReILL co

room sleeping s0Undly on the out
side of the bed. He was made
acquainted with the plan. and
stumbling and heavy-eyed followed
them. In the hall Rawson left
them, taking his way to his hiding
place, the other two faring on to
the scene of Shines duties. Here
he received his instructions. special
emphasis being laid on the door
that led TO the kitchen wing and
the back stairs. Shine looked from
the door TO Williams with q per-
picked frown. He did not like to
admit-no more than he had liked
to display the healthy vigor Of his
appetite-that he was so sleepy it
was doubtful if he could keep
awake. In this embarrassing po-
sitiOn. when he desired to acquit
himself c%reditably and feared the
weakness Of his flesh, he, too, had
an idea.
They just wanted TO know who the
person was. didn't they? He
wouldn't have to catch them, which
would be nearly impossible in the
dark and was unnecessary as no
one could get off the island. To
see them, to be able to identity
them, get onto who was stealing
round the house, was the point.
If that was enough he'd a way of
doing it, the surest and most eff
cacious way il could be done. no
scrambling round the furniture, no
uncertainty-he'd set his small
camera for a iashlight photograph.
The materials were all at hand.
All he had to do was TO get them
ready and If anyone entered by the
door he was TO watch, he'd have
their number before they knew it.
Williams was interested-it was
e neat trick and tickled his fancy.
As he was ignorant of the process.
Shine explained it, getting his
properties from the cabinet as he
spoke. The fash-llght powder in
a saucer on the table. then a
double wire extending from il to a
point above the doOr-the pair OF
antlers would answer. There the
wire would be cut. one-half hang
ing down from the antlers, this
other twisted round the door
handle, its end standing out. When
the door was opened the two sew
cred ends would come in contact
and make the circuit. which would
set off the powder. He did not tell
Williams that the taking of the pic
ture would be achieved whether he
was asleep or awake. but that the
camera would make its record
whatever his state was an immense
relief to his mind.
Williams left and he quickly
completed his preparations. Be
fore he made his final adjustment
Of the two wires. he Embossed the
Of the door that it might open
easily and nOiselessly at the first
push of a stealthy hand. Then, his
camera in place. he turned off the
The room was suddenly
plunged into Egyptian blackness;
he had to feel for the chair he
had pulled up. and, grasping the
tripod, nearly upset it. Swearing
under his breath, he found the arms
Of the chair and let himself down
upon 1t carefully to avoid creak-
The silence Of the house
closed around him, a silence that
like oblivion. The darkness
showed nc break as his glance trav-
eled over 1t. A solid, impenetrable
wall. 1t was hard to look at. the
eye required something TO rest
upon. After he had stared into it
for what seemed a measureless
stretch Of time, lie felt he must
shut his eyes for a moment Of res
pite. He did so, his head dropped,
nodded, sunk, and he lay a big,
crumpled figure held III the en-
brace Of the chair.
A bang-in that silence as loud
as q cannon shOt-a rending burst
Of light walked him. Then from
every side of the house noise broke,
eroans, screams, slamming of doors,
thudding footballs. Williams voice
shouted the first ineligible words
you got them-good work
Where the Id are the lightsT'
That shook Shine into conscious
ness and he called TO the gallery
whence q patter of bare feet and
female cries rose:
It's all right. Don't be scared.
It's only a fiaShlight."
Male voices followed, harsh and
loud, as the men anne rushing
in.
RawsOn's from tie left with the
&c Tho door Hrpr hocE anQincf |
the wall.
What are you doing here? What
was that?'
Bassett's from the entrance, his
body colliding with furniture as he
ran blindly forward. Somewhere in
the darkness behind, Stokes. high
and choked, breaking into curses.
And over all Miss Pinkney's riding
the tumult like the var cry of the
Valkyries:
why don't some of you fools
turn on the electricity? The but
toms on the right side of the door,"
Bassett's hand found 1t and the
room was flooded with light.
The women in straight white
nightgOwns stood ON the gallery
huddled together. The dreadful
darkness lifted. they leaned over
the railing, their faces pallid be-
tween hanging locks of hair, drop
ping a shower of questions on the
men below. One of them was hys-
terical and gave forth a sobbing
wall, and Williams shouted with
angry authority:
Keep quiet up there. Nothing's
the matter. Didn't you hear 1t was
~AorbIsrbts -,