The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-01-06

"My God, we're not going to bed,
are WEI" she said, with her eyes as
big as saucers.
He gave her kindly pat on the
shoulder, which she obviously re-
scented.
You'll feel better in the morning"
he said. Lock your door and say
your prayers, and leave the rest to
me-"
Lizzie muttered something inaudi-
BILE and rebellious, but now Miss Cor
nelia added her protestations to his.
"That's very good advice" she said
decisively. you take her, Dale"
Reluctantly, with dragging of feet
and scared glances cast back over her
shoulder, Lizzie allowed herself to be
drawn toward the door and the main
staircase by Dale. But she did not
depart without one Parthian shot.
''Tm not geing to bed!' she walled,
as Dale's strong young arm helped her
out into the hall. do you think
want to wake up in the morning with,
my throat cutY Then the creaking
of the stairs, and Dale's soothing voice
reassuring her as she painfully clam
bered toward the third floor, announced
that Lizzie, for some time at least,
had been removed as an active factor
from the puzzling equation of Cedar
crest.
Anderson confronted Miss Cornelia
with certain relief.
There are certain things / want to
discuss with you, Miss Van Gorder,"
he said. "But they can wait until to-
morrow morning. You go upstairs and
GO to bed comfortably. I'll make
careful search of the house before 1
settle down, and If I find anything at
all suspicious, I'll promise to let you
know"
She agreed to that, and after send
ing the Jap out for more coffee, pre-
pared TO go upstairs.
Never had the thought of her own
comfortable bed appealed to her so
much. But, in spite of her WEAKNESS,
she could not quite resign herself to
take Lizzie's story as lightly as the
detective seemed to.
eff what Lizzie says is true" she
said, taking her candle, '.the upper
floors of the house are even less safe
than this one."
81 imagine Lizzie's account just
now is about as reliable as her previ-
Gus one as to her age" Anderson as
sured her. I'm certain you need not
worry. Just go on up and get your
beauty sleep; I'm sure you need it,"
On which ambiguous remark Miss
Van Gorder took her leave, rather
grimly smiling.
If was after she had gone that An
derson's glance fell on Brooks, stand
ing warily in the doorway.
what are you? The gardener?'
But Brooks was prepared for him.
Ordinarily drive car" he said.
"Just now Pm working on the place
here"
! Anderson was observing him close
ly, with the eyes of man ransacking
his memory for name-a picture.
1--WE seen you somewhere" he went
on slowly. "And Pll-place you be-
fore long," There was a little threat
in his shrewd scrutiny. He took a
step towards Brooks.
"Not in the portrait gallery at head
quarters, are your"
mot yet" Brooks voice was re-
sentful. Then he remembered his
pose and his back grew supple-his
whole attitude that of the respectful
servant.
swell, we slip up now and then"
said the detective, slowly. Then, ap-
parently, he gave up his search for
the name-the pictured face. But his
manner was still suspicious.
"All right, Brooks" he said tersely,
eff you're needed in the night, you'll
be called!"
Brooks bowed. "Very well, sir"
He closed the door softly behind him,
glad to have escaped as well as he
had.
But that he had not entirely lulled
the detectives watchfulneSs to rest
was evident as soon as he had gone.
Anderson waited a few seconds, then
moved noiselessly over to the hall
acknowledgement it suddenly
closed it again. Then he proceeded
to examine the alcove-the stairs,
where the cleaning eye had wavered
like corpse-candle before Lizzie's af-
frighted vision. He tested the ter
race door and bolted it. How much
truth had there been in her story?
He could not decide-but he drew out
his revolver nevertheless and gave it
quick inspection to see if it were in
working order. A smile crept over
his face-the smile Of a man who has
dangerous work to do, and does not
shrink from the prospect. He put the
revolver back in his pocket, and, TAX
ing the one lighted candle remaining,
went out by the hall door, as the
storm burst forth in fresh fury and
the window panes Of the living room
ratified before a new reverberati0n of
thunder.
For a moment, in the living room,
expect for the thunder, all was silence.
Then the creak of surreptitiOus foot
steps broke the stillness-light foot
steps descending the alcove stairs
where the cleaning eye had passed.
1t was Dale, slipping out Of the
house to keep her appointment with
Richard Fleming. She carried rain
coat over her arm and pair of rub
bers in one hand. Her other hand
held candle. BY the terrace door
she paused, unbolted it, glanced out
into the streaming night with SILVER.
Then she came into the living room