Evening star., 1935-05-31
CHAPTER XII.
THE CELLAR,

all the desk drawers in turn
IL doubtfully.
Looks as if some ones
been ut them" he admitted reluct-
antly. Then with great emphasis
Me and my mates can't be responsible
for this. We couldn't get into the
'ouse."
oh. I'm not blaming you" agreed
the lady carelessly. She left the man
there and went on into the pantry
down the passage into the kitchen. In
the doorway she stopped, frowning.
On the deal table stood a brown
teapot, two dirty cups, two plates which
bore the traces of recent egg and
bacon. A brand-new. shining tin
Kettle sat on the oil stove.
She picked it up and stared at 1t. q
sharp-cut line between her thin
plucked eyebrows. Her tongue slid
out and wet her painted lips. She
put one pale. well-manicured hand
against the side of the kettle but
being empty, 1t was cold.
Her eyes-dark, round and set
rather too near big nose-grew very
thoughtful as they rested on a fry
ing pan which contained a circle OF
cold bacon fat and two broght spots
Of egg. With her thin, crooked mouth
compressed hard she turned away and
went quickly down the seven steps
leading into the cellar.
She turned the key, went in
walked through it, first turning on
the main switch. then all the lights
one by one. In the farthest cellar, by
the fallen roll of linoleum, she
stopped.
For moment she stood staring
into the recess, her face blanched, q
picture of surprise and CONSERVATION
horror and fear. Twice she bent for
ward, as If she doubted her own eyes
Then. slowly, her expression
changed. Her eyes grew thoughtful
her long fingers tapped impatiently
against her hip. Suddenly, like a per-
son who has made up her mind, she
laid down the bag and gloves which
she held and got to work.
Four minutes later. pale and pant
ing as il unaccustomed to taking
heavy exercise, she stood back and
busted her hands and dress particu-
larly carefully. looking back the while
over her shoulder as if afraid that
some one might come and find her
there. Then, very quietly and swiftly
she ran back on tiptoe through the
cellars, switching off the lights and
locking the door.
She had gained the drawing room
again when the mover, seeing heI
standing by the desk, touched his
forelock and asked, Nothing else is
there but what's in these rooms and
upstairs. madam? Anything to clear
outside or down below?"
Nothing" said the lady. There
are one or two things in the out
house, I think, but I'm leaving those
for the new tenant to take over"
Then we'll get on with it," agreed
the man.
Yes" She had turned away be-
fore she added. Il shall have to run
into Marley. but I'll be back before
you've done"
BY the gate, she paused to slip the
big key of the cellar furtively into her
bag; then she went out and got into
her red runabout. There were two
spots of bright pink color in her thin,
sallow cheeks, and her dark eyes
smoldered as she started up the car
and drove away.
This is it."
Alison held out her hand and they
drew in toward the curb before No.
712 Chester square.
1t was tall house, one of those
solid seven-story houses which were
built in the days when money and
labor were plentiful. Some of the
other houses had been converted into
f1ats, but No. 7l2 still had kept it's
air OF prosperous comfort. It's tiled
entrance made gay by bay trees in
bright metal-bound tubs, its paint
work spotless and its door adorned
with labor-making, brilliantly kept
brass.
Guy Westurn looked up at the
house with a dubious expression as he
asked, You live here?"
Yes" Alison waved her hand.
"There's my father"
Robert Rede, standing at the L.
orary window which overlooked the
road, had seen her, and came hurry
ing down the steps.
''AliSon!" He caught both the girls
hands. Il got your message as soon
as I got back. I'd been down to
Scotland Yard! My dear child. what
has happened?" He looked anxiously
from his daughter to the large young
man who stood waiting behind her.
Come In! Come in! You've given
me the most appalling fright! I met
the train last night and you weren't
on it. and I waited on the offchance
that you'd missed it and then rang up
Dover and got on to the police and
cabled to Lausanne and Lord knows
what! was just of myself to
Dover, If you hadn't rung up!"
Talking. they we're already in the
house. Robert Rede leading the way,
his dumpy, upright figure agitated,
kis S,p II orav must q che hristIipo nis