Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-01-08
CHAPTER 43


SEEDEN appeared the only one
umconcerned following the attempt
20 kidnap or STAY the children. He
called for a calm discussion of
events. keid, at Selden's side, was
not SO calm at the moment. The
attacker had taken a shot at him.
"Takc a seat, James, we must
talk" Sclden said as the butler en-
tered. &, Mr.. Reid was telling me
.bout his rash flight from the cot
tage, but you know the old saying
where duty. calls-or is it
beauty? Anyway, it was just as
we'll that he was there, though he
ruined all my plans" He grinned
BROADLY at the astonished men.
':But don't understand what is
happening" Reid cried excitedly.
"a murderous attack has been
made or the children, and the muir
derer is still somewhere about, and
you tell everybody to go to sleep
as all danger is over. 1t seems
madness"
Helden laid a hand on his Shout
der. "You haven't yet recovered
from your illness. The assassin
has got right away by this time.
But the main point is that the Sc
cret hiding place of the children is
known, and they will have to
move. BY the way, James, that
ladder came from the library, I
suppose?
Yes, sir, it was used for getting
books from the higher shelves; it
was there this evening" saw it."
Look here" Reid suddenly
broke in. I'm risking something
In telling you this-I was in the
Abbey on the night"
He got no further-Selden in
terrupted hastily.
my dear fellow, know. Don't
you remember that you told me
about it, and 1 chaffed you about
your romantic escapade?" Reid
stared at the level eyes Of the de-
tective and read warning.
James laughed. THAT was the
time you Knocked me down."
1T wonder, James, whether you
would mind getting us something
to drink. I'm sure Reid wants one
badly"
"Why, certainly. sir" He rose
and went out.
"Why did you stop me?" Reid
said, facing the other with intense
determination. He had intended to
tell the whole truth, and take the
consequences.
my dear jack" Selden said in
q singularly gentle voice, while
you were lying delirious, there
was no one to look after you, and
1 did not want stranger there.
Shall go on?"
Reid breathed hard; he rested
his head on his hands, and his gaze
was fixed on the table. "Please
do"
II heard you raving in your de-
lirium, and felt it wasn't safe to
have anyone else with you, so I
constituted myself nurse at nights.
You were all right in the day."
Reid looked up and met the
others eyes. He saw the dark
rings and the strained look, and
realized what an awful time Sell
den must have passed through
with this heavy weight Of respon-
sibility. Tears came to his own
eyes-he was still weak.
"You were brick, Selden; you
must have heard something"
eff did, have forgotten. There
is no need to refer again to it I'M
less some day you care to tell me.
AS far as I am concerned it is
sealed up" His mouth twisted
into a smile. "But if a certain
young lady I know had heard your
opinion of her she would have been
flattered."
To hide his confusion, Reid re-
marked, THAT was why you sent
James out of the ROOM"
There was no need for him to
hear, but keep your ears open
when he comes back"
James came in, apologizing for
the delay. He had been compelled
to go to the servants quarters and