The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-06
CHAPTER W

0lAlre ned pSeu JOO eACIJeu Uu notice that her hand was hurt by the broken glass. but now she was conscious of Q throbbing pain. Pat tried to stop the bleeding with his handkerchief and Susie sent ED for water and bandages.
 'sThis Dan Dallas Bob said, "Does he sleep on the premises?"
 Susie jerked around. "Yes, in the little cabin down near the tool house." she answered. He's a.
 Hold your tongue, Susie" ordered Eb, who had come back in time to hear the conversation. He turned tc Steele. "Say, you aint figurin' Dan had anything to do with this, arc you?"
 we don't know where thii shooting Is coming from nor who's doing 1t, 50 naturally suspect anyone" answered Bob coldly.
 Pat arose. "The three Of u he'd better give the place tho cnce.over right now"
 For an hour the lights from the mems lanterns fiickered about thu grounds as 6 careful search wal made. But not c trace of any thing or anyone could be found Down ct his cabin, Dan had beer awakened and questioned. but said he had seen nothing that would indicate e hostile prowler.
 T looked around the place after the dog was killed" he told them "but couldn't find anyone"
 And you didn't hear anything iater?" asked Bob.
 Nope" Dan answered. Pat meantime had walked over to corner of the cabin and picked up a gun that was leaning against tlis wall. He opened this casually, tiien pointed at the magazine.
 "rhiS shell Is empty, Dallas Looks like 1t had been fired rec cently."
 The man turned and looked ccolly at his questioner. T shot olie bullet at coyote yesterday" ht said.
 "Well, come along out with US nov. We're going to look over the place." Eb ordered.
 Daylight was breaking when the search finally ended without results The men tramped back into the house.
 Claire was telling Susie again about the mark on the wall be- hind the bed. Dan listened with ar expression of interest in his eyes. Didn't you ever run across inst mark when you were clean- ing the room, susieP" he asked suddenly.
 sure" She cast a quick glance at him. But how should l know 1t meant anything7"
 Pat, who had dropped into a chair, now sprang to his feet. "Come on, Bob. It's light enough now to go Up to the cupola and give 1t. the once-over."
 "And you and had better get breakfast started, Susie," Claire suggested. we all need some- thing to cat after such night.
 "Call us when it's ready" said Eb, motioning to Dan to come with him. well be down at the tool house."
 The two young men went up- stairs to the cupola where Claires lamp had been shot to pieces Spilnters of glass still covered the floor. The bullet that caused the disorder was embedded in the wall.
 Evidently came from the direc- tion of that slope over there." Bob eyed the densely wooded moun- tain that rose directly opposite the House of Long Shadows.
 Did you notice Dams gun?' asked Pat. Could 1t do the trick?"
 T think 50. We'll dig the bull let out and sec if 1t fits" Bob opened his pocket knife as he spoke. Since no one seems to have heard the shot probably it was the same gun with the same silencer that got the dog"
 Pat glanced at his friend but made no comment. In a few min utes the bullet lay in his hand. Both examined it and Bob put 1t in his pocket.
 Fifteen minutes intensive search of the cupola revealed nothing more. If the arrow mark really pointed to the stairway to the look out. any further signs on the wea- tiner-beaten walls had been erased by the clements. At the open door of tie bed room that had belonged to Lyman Fosdick, Pat paused. The big four poster bed was still pulled out from the wall as Claire had left