Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-12-23

switched of the light, and the
room was plunged in darkness.
For some seconds spots of light
swan before Reid's eyes. The fire
was merely a Ted glow. Presently,
far off, he saw lights looking like
sunken stars.
That's the village; you can't
see much through this rain, but on
a fine night one can pick out every
house until the lights go out"
He moved to the other side, and
Reid followed him with a beating
heart.
lone can see the Abbey from
here in the daytime-just q
glimpse over the trees. ). Hello"
Reid noted a change in the
Colonel's voice.
One twinkling light showed in
the blackneSS, clear and steady-a
light burning in an upper window.
IT wonder what the devil that's
for" Graham said in rasping
voice.
Reid steadied himself. els that
in the Abbey?"
eyes; but it's quite unusual.
They always close the shutters on
account Of the damp from the lake,
and the curtains in any case. On
a night like this they would hardly
have a window unshaded."
A sense of foreboding filed
Reid's mind at the sight Of that
signal light. He had no doubt it
had been placed there by Sylvia
and it was her S o S. He was
glad of the darkness, for he
clenched his fists involuntarily and
glared at his host.
"Well," the other said in q
forced way, 'let's have the lights
up. 7 expect friend James has for
gotten to shut up"
The light came on, and the win
dows became black again.
"I think I'll turn ill.," Graham
said abruptly. 81 feel restless to-
night and shall stay here. have
a bed that lets down from the
wall, and I often prefer this place
to my bedroom. You know your
way?"
Reid took the hint and wished
his host good night. He noticed
with interest that the door of the
room opening on the staircase was
a massive affair, at least an inch
thick Of solid oak, and was secured
with steel bolts and a morticed
lock. 1t was a strange door for a
snuggery whose walls were of
glass.
He turned at the door with a
yawn. II don't expect I shall
want to read-I'm rather tired"
The door closed behind him and
he went slowly down the few steep
steps to the gallery. He saw that
his bedroom door was open and
that steady light burned inside.
And then sudden feeling that at
all costs he must get away from
this place seized him, He must
tell Colonel Graham that he was
lgoing, and let him think what he
liked. He was halfway to his
room, but turned back resolutely.
The gallery was very dark, but
long practice had made him almost
catlike in his powers Of sight, and
he stole to the door leading to the
Coloners strange room. He opened
it and noted that it was a f1imsy
affair and without a lock. Then
he placed his foot on the staircase
and drew back with an intake Of
breath. He felt with his hand as
high as he could reach. The stair
case had gone, and only a smooth
surface rose in a slant before him.
The stairs moved on a pivot, like
a moving stairway, and what had
been steps were now mere plates,
tight-fitting and unclimbable. :
He paused irresolute, and a rush
Of surmise overwhelmed his mind.
The heavy locked door above, this
device of the stairs, and the blood
hounds at large, all spoke of a
man in deadly peril. But why, in
that case, should the Colonel have
trapped him in the house?
/ ITO Be Continuedh