The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-10
4ouSE OE SHADOWS 5 V. 2: .:. ]. K: ::::::.

1 "Ysp. Eb borrowed t. Said he wanted to get Q hawk that had ben botherlng his chickens."
 Hannah sniKed. disbeiievingly, "And that would be whens"
 "The afternoon Miss Fosdick and her friends came up here."
 "An' when'd you get it back2'
 "eusie brought 1t back to me early the morning after Miss Fos- dick had been fired ct, though she never mentioned it at the time. 1 I didn't know what had happened until the men and Eb came to my cabin, They found the gun had been fired, but Eb didn't have any chance to explain then. It was when he went down to the tool house after breakfast, that he told me he hadn't used the gun hin- self, and dint know who had He'd left it out in the barn 90 it would be handy and near the chicken coops."
 And you think that sounds like c good alibi7" asked Hannah Sar- caStically.
 "No," he answered. T don't But it's the truth, just the same" ]"
 DO you know where Eb Spratt went?" Hannah watched him closely as she asked the question.
 T only wish I did. I've secured the village and asked everybody who might have met up with him. If I knew where Eb was, I'd know c lot of other things, too"
 "Why don't you ask his sisterT'
 DO you think she'd tell -. if she knows?" he countered.
 No Hannah was forced to admit. "Bu I notice she amt ex- actly worrying herself to death over his absence. She told Claire this afternoon he probably had gone off down to the city for And left Q bloody cap behind just as Q playful little trick. suppose. ED wasn't the joking kind" I'll bhy HS WuohJ obaSSN Hannah. That man never even smiled unless 1t was surprised out of him.
 This apt description of the sour faced Eb brought 0 smile to Dams lips. Well, nobody can say his sister doesn't appreciate this world" \. ......a atsaA SlaagiRgA
 "You ought to know" snapped Hannah.
 Dallas let that go by without changing expression, only shrugged his shoulders slightly. After waiting minute for him to speak, Hannah backed toward the door, evidently satisfied that she could get nothing further from him.
 He watched her with grin. "doodby," he said. Come again. Maybe next time we'll both know more than we do now"
 For answer Hannah slammed the door behind her and walked away, feeling Q little ridiculous. He bested me, after all," she grumbled aloud. T don't know any more than when I started"
 As she hurried Up the path to the house, Nick Baum came sud- denly around the curve of the road. At sight of her he stopped in astonishment, then quickly came forward.
 "Why, I wasn't expecting to see you, HAnnahp He smiled. "1s - iB Claire still here, by any good chance2"
 "YeS, she is, Mir. Baum," Han- nah replied. And she'll be right glad to see you. Won't you come in?"
 She led the way to tho front door, and motioned him in hos- pitably. Just then Susie came into the hall. She gave Q slight start of surprise at sight of the visitor.
 "I'll go tell Miss Fosdick you're here, MT. Baum. Of course you'll be staying for supper" Hannah said.
 "Thanks, but I've got to go on to the village this evening"" he answered. Just thought I'd drop in to ask Eb Spratt about man Tin going there to see on business. I know he is acquainted with ell the people around this part of the country"
 "Nickl" exclaimed Claire from the dorway,
 Hannah went upstairs, leaving the young people alone. Tenderly Nick Baum took both the girls hands in his.
 Haven't you anything to tell met yet, Claire?" he asked, looking deep down into her eyes. "I've missed you 50 while you've been hiding from me Up here."
 (TO Be COntinued)