The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-14
RAY WADE SEVERN

cles on the dresser. And the paper on the chair, where he had tossed it before going down to dinner. No one had been in there, he was sure.
 NeIla's suite showed no signs of disorder. Windows were se- curely fastened, everything in place.
 "That's the way she always keeps it." Hugh said.
 They walked down the hall to Adams room. Suddenly the door of his room opened.
 Hugh and Sidney fiattened against the wall. Sidney's gun clicked as he pulled back the hammer. He sniffed, thought he detected the odor of burned paper, but it was so faint he could not be sure.
 Be careful" Hugh whispered. He edged cautiously toward the open door.
 It swung wider .. then slammed shut with sharp bang.
 Must have been the wind another open window Hugh sug- gested. Let's find out"
 Sidney helw his revolver ready an old western style Colt-while te engineer reached for the knob, turned it quietly, then threw 1t open wide. He jumped back.
 There was no doubt now about the burning paper. The odor was definite now, sharp and acrid in their nostrils. Hugh reached for the switch, flooded the room with light.
 Havoc met their eyes. Curtains writhed before an open window, opening out over the porte cochere. Desk drawers yawned in disarray. The room had been ransacked. In the grate they found 8 mass of charred paper.
 Looks like someone tried to start fire, but the rain put it out" Sidney suggested. Hugh was at the window.
 Tt adds up, Sid," he said. These open windows and ran- sacked drawers. The murderer came in through the drawing room, looked for something here. Not finding it, he decided Adam had it. and he killed Adam to get it - whatever IT may have been.
 You may be right" Braitwood agreed. "If Gundrum or Togi failed to search the furnace room or the storeroom thoroughly, the murderer could have been hiding there. He could easily have en- tered teh Jungle while we were upstairs. But how could he have escaped?"
 Hugh did not answer. He was studying the fireplace.
 By jove, Sid, I've got it," he shouted. "This fireplace! Adam told me his grandfather bought this house from an abolitionist who used stairway concealed in the wall as a hiding place for runaway slaves. This fireplace may lead to that hidden stair way"
 Sidney joined him. "It's big enough, all right. But I can't see anything unusual about it, other wise. Later, let's have a look. Right now
 'Craig and I are coming up"
 Pat Langdon's voice interrupted him. "I've something to see about. I'm going to do 1t now"
 Sidney heard them running up the stairs before he had a chance to answer.
 "It's about my pearls" Pat ex- plained, when she and Gundrum joined them in Adams room. T keep them in a wal safe in this room. They must be safe. Adam told me no one but himself knew of the secret hiding place, so l hestitated to mention it."
 Anxiety over that string of pearls has been fighting caution ever since we found ourselves locked in," Gundrum added. "Fi- nally, anxiety won"
 Pat crossed the room quickly to toss a half smoked cigaret out the window. Braitwood noticed her, but it was not until ltaer that it occurred to him that it would have been easier to use the ash will give canning demonstration at the Watertown High school Monday