Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-09-26
CHAPTER FOUR


YOU ALWAYS brag that when
YOU once go to sleep you never
wake up until morning. What were
YOU doing up at a quarter OF
three?" persisted Dune, as Rhoua
seemed to hesitate before answer
ing.
."That's why it seemed so odd 10
me, to wake up in what 1 lnouSn1
was the middle of the nlght, she
flung at him. II don't know WhaI
walked me. but now that Mrs.
Rutherford has told about those
footsteps, l think 1 must nave
heard them, too. woke up, l knew
I had heard something, but
didn't know what. listened.
EVERYTHING was quiet. even got
up and went to the window. lhaI
is how I know it was dark. AS L
couldn't hear or see anything, L
went back to sleep. You know, Mrs.
Peake," Rhoda turned to her, II
person ran from the Rutherford
cottage toward the road he Woulo
go right by my window.
THAT would be the easiest ana
quickest way" Mrs. Peake agreed.
"But I can't imagine why anyone
wanted to prowl around here. We
never have sneak thieves except IN
the winter, and then they only go
through the big wealthy estates" ."
"You forget the jewel thieves,
mother" Josie suggested. "They
were here last summer and the
summer before"
"But the police are positive that
was a gang which was in cahoots
with some of the servants IN the
houses entered" Neal spoke brisk
ly. "Ill tel, you what I'll do. After
everyone is in at night, I'll turn
Tinker loose. No prOWler will get
by him."
was thoroughly in accord with
Meals last remark. Tinker is a
huge German Shepherd dog. Rhoda
had told me Of him long ago, and
as I looked from my window before
dinner, I saw the gigantic creature
sedately pacing back and forth in
his run. It would need more cour-
age than the average proWler pos
sesses to face him at any hour OF
the day or night.
"Oh, Neal" walled Coral, don't
do that. You know I often get ur
and sit on my porch at night wher
I can't sleep, and I'm simply terri.
fed Of Tinker
"You needn't be-" Neal said de-
cisively. "You could sit on youl
porch all night and he would never
trouble YOU But, if it's going tt
worry you, I'll think Of something
else."
thinker would be the best bet, ,
asserted Bruce OrtOn, the man Wh(
gave me my conversational lead
But, if you decide not to use him
why not shift the Rutherfords int
another cottage on the other side
and I'll sit up with you in the cot
tage by the spite fence for a few
nights. If anyone was prowlins
with a definite object in view
they'll be back"
"Thats not bad idea," DR.. Pau
approved. "Tll be glad to take m,
turn with YOU"
"And T." Duncan quickly prof
fered.
"And l." The last speaker wa
the dark man who sat by Cora
Easton. His name is Joseph Barry
and it appears that he, too, is fas
cinated by Corals striking appear
ance.
Lets discuss it after dinner
shall we?" Neal looked at the mel
with an earnest smile. I think h
feared to arouse the apprehension
of us women.
Agreed" Bruce Orton gave hin
an understanding glanc- in return
and the others nodded agreement
Bruce Orton is a blond, witt
thick light hair and pale blue eyes
His face is long and his Chi
struck me as denoting ruthlessnes
and determination. Every time
glance his way. he was looking a
Josie, and the way he hurried t.
her side when we rose from tn
table convinced me that she was hi
reason for being in Winpetaumet
AS we sauntered from the dinin;
room, Mrs. Peake called Neal t.
her side and Joseph Barry seize,
the opportunity to urge Coral t.