LEAMI

a step toward the alcove

use besides ourse

e, Aunt Cornelia,

's the

es

nstant. "Does he b

ourtleigh Fle

methodical rapping on the ceilin

s. He put down his candle and stole noiselessly i

ime the mysterious rapping seem

e hesitated-made for the hall door-tiptoed out into the darkness around the m

e storm lulled for a moment. Dale stood thinking, wonder

med in her mind. She wen

make sure she was not overheard. "1-2-4-please-yes, that's right. Hello-is

oved in that corner of blackness where her

ephone. She picked u

over here for a few minutes. Yes-tonight." Her voice grew stronger. "I wouldn't trouble you but-it's awfully important. Hold the wire a mo

the house on the drive. It-it's a con

d the fireplace to add a new log to the dying glow of the fire, the hall door open

An assignation, perhaps! Well, she could stand that; she could stand anything to secure the next few hou

words reliev

in the dark, isn't i

ooks came back or Richard Fleming arrived! But h

part of the way and falling the rest. Don't suppose I'll ever find the room I left my

ously, hoping he would take the hint. But he seemed entirely obl

darned pretty girl and she looked intelligent. "I suppose you have a theory of

g about them u

w." But when she remained silent, "Is Miss Van Gorder usually-o

ce was strained. Where was Bro

cigar, pondering. "Know

ichard Fleming

caused him to glance

now him at

the Union Bank?" he

the denial convincing but she could n

tectiv

ery popular. That's what's behind most of these bank embezzlem

ief. The detective moved to answer the house phone on the wall by the a

the house phone." Anderso

on with the

mindedly. "Just from ro

anation and answered

er hook up and down, without result, and ga

ew minutes ago," said

ing it a few

y what she had already admitt

es

ang again. The detec

ed, while the tiny voice in the receiver buzzed fo

at, are you? I see

rstand you to say that you were not acquainted with the cashier

her blankly. It had c

went on r

some letters in Bailey's room which seem to indicate

her answer. "What let

howing that you had recent

lean breast of it, or as

aid in an even voi

before?" There was mena

ess seemed to be the only resource l

olor her tones. "How can the police be so stupid as to accuse Jack Bailey, a you

lars," said Anderson ominously. He came closer to Dale, fixing her with h

d not

N

ective

te or so the Union Bank case and certain things in this house have begun to tie up p

ut weakening, her voic

N

not tell from his face whether he thought she had tol

s Van Gorder here," he sai

er?" Dale blazed a

use this case is ta

aid, a little wildly, hoping that a display of sham anger

her words, cynically

ne. It did not matter; any respite, no matter how momentary, from these probing questions, would be a

uest, he had made any new discoveries, the reticent composure of his face did not betray the fact. When he had finished he turned patiently toward the billiard room-the little flame of his candle was swallowed up in its dark r

d out-the shadow of a man-a prowler-feeling his way through the lightning-slashed darkness to the terrace door. The detective? Brook

er the knob, Lizzie entered the deserted living-room on stumbling feet. She was carrying a tray of dishes and food-some cold meat on a

ade her turn. The key in the door from the terrace to the alcove had clicked. Paralyzed with fright she stared and waited,

bore an eye, a single gleaming eye, just above the le

e with a crash and gave vent to a piercing shriek

he billiard room respectively, each with a lighted candle,

she was carrying in her other hand spilled a portion of its boiling contents on Lizzi

!" she squealed hyst

ed to shake her b

yell like that because

d Lizzie wildly. "It w

ent up the

ith a trembling forefinger. Miss Cornelia put her coffeepot and her candle down on the table and opene

rnness to the quaking Lizzie, "stop t

or and ran up the stairs-oh-" and she seemed prepared to scream again as Dale, white-faced,

ed?" said D

. "I begged you not to come here," she vociferated. "I begged you on

it," said her mistress unsympathetically. She moved up to examine the scene of

rcing himself to urbanity,

you what

rew somewhat

ss Van Gorder into leaving this h

m, unconscious humor, "I'm giving mys

as Miss Cornelia returned f

e, Mr. Anderson," she said annoyedly. "That t

ething was going to happen tonight. I heard rappings all

he said, with a scornful glance at Lizzie. "A hysterical and not very reliable woman, anxious

zie would have laid him dead at her feet at that

er," sh

ed his hands toget

he began, but the irrepres

bed, are we?" she said, with

t on the shoulder, whic

he said. "Lock your door and say yo

and rebellious, but now Miss Corne

e," she said decisively

er shoulder, Lizzie allowed herself to be drawn toward the door and the

ng with my throat cut?" Then the creaking of the stairs, and Dale's soothing voice reassuring her as she painfully clambered toward the

d Miss Cornelia wi

ss with you, Miss Van Gorder," he said. "

about the room. His

this-pure imagin

't y

ted. "I'm

omfortably. I'll make a careful search of the house before I settle down

sending the Jap out for more c

much. But, in spite of her weariness, she could not quite resign h

taking her candle, "the upper floors of t

ous one as to her age," Anderson assured her. "I'm certain you need no

Miss Van Gorder took her l

nderson's glance fell on Brooks,

you? The

was prepa

" he said. "Just now I'm w

name-a picture. "I've seen you somewhere-" he went on slowly. "And I'll-place you befor

it gallery at head

remembered his pose and his back grew supple, h

ly. Then, apparently, he gave up his search for the name

tersely, "if you're needed in

losed the door softly behind him, gl

red like a corpse-candle before Lizzie's affrighted vision. He tested the terrace door and bolted it. How much truth had there been in her story? He could not decide, but he drew out his revolver nevertheless and gave it a quick inspection to see if it was in working order. A smile crept over his face-the smile

e. Then the creak of surreptitious footsteps broke the stillness-light f

rm and a pair of rubbers in one hand. Her other hand held a candle. By the terrace door she paused, unbolted it, glan

her feet. If it was the law, come after Jack, what should she do? Or again, suppose it was the Unknown who had threatened them with death? Not coherent thoughts these, but