The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-11
CHAPTER TX

I Dl2ire IookeQ aC NICK earnestly ef wasn't hiding from you" she as- eured him. T just wanted chance i to think things out, get my equili- hriun and"
 T hope I came in for a passing thought, Claire"
 '.H,ots of them," she answered
 s.But I'm worried about 50 many l things"
 fEe slipped an arm about her 1 shoulders and drew her to him spOor lite girl. If you could put me on the list of things you are anxious about"
 claire gently pulled herself away, and forced Q light laugh.
 Maybe you're there already, Nick. Then she added, "Of course you'll 1 stay for supper?"
 "eorry, but I'm on my way to 1 the village. stopped here for I some information and hoping to Ind the sweetest girl in all the world. thought spratt might be able to tell me something about this fellow I'm after"
 vEbs not here just now" A shadow passed over Claire'S face. aBut maybe Susie would know"
 "Its not important enough to bother her." He waved the sug- Westion aside. Interesting old place you've got here. Your father told mo what Q collector his brother was."
 eyes. Uncle Lyman went in for books and ell sort of things. You can see his library was quite ex- . tensive, for those days" She walked to the radiator and picked gn the little red volume of poems.
 But Nick Baum was plainly not interested in books. Instead he eyed the big mahogany desk that stood near the window. That was why he did not notice the express sion on Claire's face when she glanced down at the book she held. She had opened 1t to the placO where Lyman Fosdick had written his original stanza. Quick ly slle closed the volume and put 1t under her arm as she crossed to the big bay window.
 "Uncie was very fond of this old place and no wonder" she said softly. "It's very beautiful, isn't it2"
 Nick gathered her, book and all, Into his arms, and kissed her. ''Not half 50 beautiful as you are, claire" he whispered. Bay you're glad I came, for I've got to go now"
 She smiled up at him. T think I'm always glad to see you, Nick"
 After she had waved goodby to him from the doorway and watch cd him start of down the winding road she closed the door carefully and again opened the little book she still carried.
 On the page on which Lyman Fosdick had written the verse, the outline of a broken arrow could be seen, it's outlines already fading as the cool air struck 1t. She was cer- tain it had not been there when she zirst saw the page. Then she remem- beged that she had left the book on the radiator shelf. Had the warmth brought out the mark? She'd heard that certain kinds of invisible ink are affected by heat. Claire walked to the window and looked again at the giant pine. Was there something concealed beneath 1t or did its branches serve as hiding place?
 She eyed the bookcase with new interest. The arrow pointed that way, and the arrow on the wall of Lyman Fosdick's bedroom also in- dicated the bookcase there. She re- membered now that another copy of this same book was on those shelves. sJewels of Verse;" Could there be some connection between the poems and the lost jewel?
 Half amused at her own imagi- nation, she examined the book case, moving each volume and run- hing her hands testingly along the sides of the case itself. Once she fancied she heard faint click, but could not be sure, and at last she gave up her search and started up- stairs to find Hannah.
 AS she passed small window haif-way up the stairway, she glanced out, then stopped abrupt Iy and looked again. Down the sloping hillside behind @ big bush she could see Nick Baum talking to Susie. Had the woman watched and followed him away from the house, or had he just happened to meet herr Claire was not aware that Nick knew the house. keeper.
 glsie's hand rested familiarly on Nick's arm and he was looking down ct her, apparently absorbed in what she was saying. AS Claire watched, Nick glanced at his watch, and evi6sntly told Susie the time. Then, to Claires untold anaazement, he took the woman fenderly into his arms and kissed her. 1she girl felt her cheeks red- den at the remembrance of e sim far kiss given her such . short time ago.
 Evidently Susie and Nick Baum did know each other - very well indeed. There was nothing casual or uew about this meeting, Claire was sure of that.
 Susie again. At every turn of the way the haby-faced house. keeper seemed to appear. Claire decided it was time to discuss matters openly with suHle and Hna aflf what che knaw about sev- afsi things ED. Dan pallos. her tfNaNniafnad appearance from the 4nnnfenfiy empty root cellar. and