The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-11-04
CHAPTER vI-Continued


She reached the question and
door at the same time. As Mark
Trent opened it, slightly musty
smell, a blend OF camphor and old
books and ancient furniture, stole
out. He motioned with the flash in
his hand. Brooke's eyes followed
the light. She set her teeth hard IN
her lips to keep back an exclama-
ton of establishment. On a large
table, illumined by the spotlight,
surrounded by boxes and trunks and
storeroom litter, was massive tea
service and perhaps dozen dishes
and pitchers Of silver. furnished to
a light copper color. A scrap OF
paper drifted to the floor.
-It's great hide-out, isn't It?
She nodded in answer to the low,
amused question.
when did you discover it,"
Thought | heard strange sounds
upstairs when Jed and | were wait
ing for you in the living-room the
other afternoon. The Japs' rooms
are in the L on the first floor, and
when | had this house opened |
told the caretaker not to touch the
third. After you and Mrs. Gregory
left, | investigated and found this
silver. I've been on the watch ever
since to discover who put it here.
This afternoon someone slipped a
cog, and left both keys; must have
been frightened off, or else they
were left purposely SO that "a sec
ond party might have access to the
loot. :"
who put the loot, as you call it,
In that room?"
That's what you and will find
out"
That 'you and T. was fuse to dy-
Mantle. Brooke leaned back against
the balustrade.
"You will. you mean, you and
your sleuth Jed Stewart. You and
he are spies, aren't you? Amateur
detectives. Mark. to you, you say
to Sam, and all the time you are
spying on his sister and accusing
her OF undue influence, of hypno
| tizing an old woman into leaving
her a fortune. | ought to have
known what you thought of me wher
you said that. | do now. Find on
who stole the silver. You've pu
Inspector Harrison on the case
haven't your | wish you luck. :"
She jerked her wrist free and raj
down the stairs. She stopped at tn
foot Of them. A TRADE like that sh
had just delivered took ones breatl
1 for minute. Why, why had she lie
Mark the Magnificent ow-that sh
suspected his reason for occupying
the house? She. who had prided her
self on her seH-control in business
Why couldn't she be diplomatic
Her outrageous temper was the ar
swer. Thank Heaven she had ha
sense enough not to tell him of Her
ri's threat that he could put her OF
of Lookout House.
A sounds Someone had touche
the knob on the other side of tn
door! Had the person remembers
that both keys had been left? Now
now Mark and she would find OF
who had taken the silver.
Stealthily she touched the butte
and plunged the top floor into darl
ness. She raced up the stairs. Ca
omed into Mark Trent coming OF
of the storeroom. She clutched h
sleeve; whispered.
"Shut the doorl Quick Someor
is fumbling at the hall key. Pc
haps he'll come for this one"
He held her by one arm as
noiselessly closed the door. In II
dark he drew her into another room
Side by side they waited. Brooke
heart shook her body. How cou
the man so near her help hearing
thurnp in the tomblike silence?
A spot of light. Creeping vi
Creeping upi Her breath caught
goSu An arm e1ipnpd round n,