The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-10
A SHOT IN THE DARK
CHAPTER III

Adam jerked at the door. Its locked. all right"
 Locked in!" Patricia Langdon breathed, eyes half ironical, half afraid. What climax to the eve ning"
 Climax? Say beginning, Pat" Gundrum corrected. Probably a gang of thieves are upstairs, loot ing the place"
 "Then we are as helpless as rats in a trap" Nella began to cry.
 "Stop that, Nella!" Hugh com- manded. With five able-bodied men and gun rack to protect you, what have you to fear"
 Were all the windows closed on the uppers floors, Togi" Adam asked.
 Closed because of storm. Maybe thief could get in by using penknlfe at window latch" the valet replied.
 Someone may be playing a joke on us," Marta suggested.
 "Who that we know would be out in this storg, breaking into a house just for joke" Sidney de- manded.
 A low rumble of thunder, followed by gust of wind and g. torrent of rain gave point to his words.
 "The sooner we get upstairs, the less we'll find missing" Hugh said. 'Shall I shoot the lock, Adam?" 'sYes, but stand as far as possible from the door so as not to splinter the oak" Adam Langdon told him.
 Don't shoot until all of us are armed, Hugh" Sidney suggested. s'There may be a gang up there. Never can tell, and it's best to play safe"
 Acting immediately on his own suggestion, Braitwood led the way to the gun racks. While most of Langdon's guns were antiques, they were all in working order-Adam insisted upon that. Insisted, too, that each derringer and dueling pis- tol be kept loaded.
 "A gun is no good if 1t can't be used" he had explained. T like to sec just how well they shoot, any, way"
 In few seconds each man had selected weapon. Hugh squared before the door.
 "If anyone is in the hall trying to play a joke on us get out of the way" he called. "I'm shooting the lock-"
 The ticking of the clock above the fireplace was the only sound while they waited for the sound of retreating steps. Then another gust of wind and loud peal of thunder wiped out the silence.
 A second terrific detonation fol- lowed. It rocked the house with such loud violence that none knew whether or not Hugh had actually fired. Instantly, the lights went out.
 Terror swept through the black ness Of the room. A pinpoint of light fickered beneath the coffee urn. Vivid flashes of lighting revealed frightnened faces. A woman scream ed. Then thunder crashed about them, as the full fury of the storm seemed concentrated on this single, isolated house.
 A brilliant flash illuminated the room for a fraction of a second. AL most instantly, the explosion of thunder shook the house again Out side, tree crashed to the ground.
 Stiffness followed. A match went out. Then the storm unleashed. a new barrage. No one spoke. All stood tense, half afraid the house migh be struck.
 Braitwood, at Hugh's right, moved toward the door. It swung open at his pull. He struck 8 match, held it high, as he peered out into the hall. The draft from the open door ex- tinguihsed the light.
 "Stay here and guard the women. Adam!" Hugh's voice rang out. "Sid and I will go upstairs. Gundrum, you'd better look in the Storeroom. Togi, you search the furnace room. If you get in a corner, call us and we'll come running back"
 The men, grouped about the door, heard the directions, but over at the table where the women remained, his words were not audible, above the storm, as it later appeared. At the foot of the stairs leading up from the hall outside the Jungle, the four men separated, Sidney fol- lowing Hugh, gun in hand. Gum drum and Togi turned to nearby doors.
 Hugh and Sidney found the door at the top of the stairs unlocked, and, to their surprise, the upper floors fully lighted.
 By love-" Hugh exclaimed. T thought the entire lighting plant had been crippled. Must have been a fuse that blew out in the Jungle.
 They moved cautiously forward to the front door. It was locked. There were no wet footprints to suggest that anyone had come in that way. Back and side doors also were locked.
 somehow I don't have that un-