The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-05-24
Chapter "a (Contlnued)

Suddenly the beautiful mansion
OF white stone doomed before them
The afternoon sun rested lightly
in the bronzod grlled doors and
windows. II stood stern and cold.
touched by the chill OF an early
winter day Ii resembled a medieval
castle sitting malestically on its
rolling acres.
Tall trees. bereft OF their leaves
sent gaunt shadows on the walls OF
the house A dismal deserted look
surrounded II.
A story Barry had read while In
high school came 10 his mind II
told OF a house filled with horror.
death and madness A house OF
gloom and melancholy such was
the feeling this Wallberg mansion
gave him. II was In deed house
OF mystery and death.
Barry stopped his car near the
gate entrance. The gate stood ajar
and Barry and Dale stepped inside
the gates.
Deep mounds OF dry brown leaves
were piled around the grounds A
sudden gust OF cold wind struck
them. quickly they pulled their
over coats closer.
Il think we'll get that snow for
Christmas. Dale muttered as they
started down the long winding
walk that led TO the house.
A voice stopped them.
"What'd you want
Both men turned sharply and
looked into the cold dark eyes OF
a man. tall and almost an gaunt as
one OF the leafless trees standing
near by.
They looked at Sam Carter the
gardner. noted his sunken dark
eyes. the thin black hair standing
out from around his dirty gray cap.
I'm an misunderstanding on the
Day case. he pushed a card before
the eyes OF the gardner, Just came
down 10 look around"
The gardncrs gazedwandered to-
ward Barry. Dale answered for
Barry And he's helping me
The gardner leaned on the hand
le OF his rake. stared at them for
a moment then with a ahrug went
back TO raking leaves
Looks like gloomy Gus TO me-"
Barry commented
Brooks TO. gave the two Negroes
jaundiced look "a he opened the
door In answer to their ring.
Again Dale presented his card.
lin attorney Weston. here in Miss
Days interest"
Brooks hesitated before standing
aside to allow them to enter
We'll" Dale said impatiently.
An angry CLINT was in Barry's
eye as he, without waiting for
Brooks 10 step aside. walked into
the vestbule forcing Brooks to move
hack, III you're suspicious call the
police" he told the butler.
A minute later they stood in Tony
Wallberg's library. gazing in silent
admiration at the row OF gilt edged
volumes that lined the cream tint
W Wditt VI tDt library.
Barry and Dale walked over 10
the book cases and studied the
books enclosed there.
Thick volumes on art. both mod
ern and ancient Books on archi-
tect--Pictures covered the wall.
scenes OF tall buildings--scenes OF
ancient buildings OF architectural
beauty. Bronze busts OF former
presidents George washington and
Abraham Lincoln. stood on tor OF
the hook case.
"A beautifulNroom." unused Dale.
Barry didn'k answer for he was
picturing Madeline here-tryinr 10
draw a mental scene OF that last
struggle she had had with Tony In
this room. II gave Barry a feeling
OF Notwithstanding far apart
from his scheme OF things. yet they
were real. as real as the books and
objects OF art that filled the room.
IF only these inanimate things
could speak" he thought.
A. Dale and Barry continued
tht' ihoRcttioh VI the TOOIut bTO0Eq
eyed them with suspicion. But
neither noticed hin. at least they
pretended not TO.
Tony's vide desk interested Dals
for a moment The desk top wa
covered with a large brown blotter.
fitted into brass edged frame that
held Il securely on the desk. The
usual desk equipment, ink we'll Den
and pencils. A group Of books held
up by heavy iron book ends dupll-
cations OF an old temple.
Then he walked slowly over TO the
huGe red brick hreplacs. that rave
OF an air OF GOODNESS. Bronze snd
iron held dark gray looking logs.
HIS foot touched the metal stand
ards; II moved under slight pres
sure.
Barry was gsEing intsntly thru