Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 128: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

410 ‘Ah! Then if the man had the key of the door he must have had the key of the padlock also. He could escape that way, but not enter—unless some one let him in.” I groaned inwardly, for I knew he was right, and did not like to think who the person might be. “He could leave the padlock open until he got away,” I suggested weakly. “ But you found it locked? No, impor- tant as your discovery is, I don’t think it is the only way by which my brother made his entrance. However, we will take every precaution, and I will myself see to-night that it ‘s closed effectually. “J was not even aware of the presence of this passage which must date back, I imagine, to old smuggling days. I do not think, however, it will be used to-night. Now, let“us make our plans.” “I+ would suggest a thorough search of the house, leaving no corner where any one could hide.” “JT have already done so,” replied my -uncle decidedly. ‘‘ There is no one but ourselves in the house.” “‘ Then, what do you want me to do?” “ Simply this: will you stay in that man’s room to-night, and see that he does not leave it in case he should become con- scious? Let no one come into his room— above all, Shirley. I will attend to the rest. In this way you can help me most— will you do it?” “ Very well,” I said, but without enthu- _ siasm. I knew what Shirley would think of me and, worse still, what would she say! “ Another thing,” continued my uncle, “on no account say anythifg to let Shirley suspect that you know who the man outside ~ is, or that she has any share in it. It would be the quickest way to wam my brother. “Now, let us go and get our supper. We shall need all our strength to-night.” We were all very silent at the meal; there was a strained, anxious look on Shir- ley’s face, and although I tried to appear natural, I’m afraid it was a sad failure. My uncle’s manner was calm, although he spoke little, and made a good supper, for which I envied him. After we had finished, I went up to look Digitized by Go ogle ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. at my charge. I found him in the same condition, breathing heavily, but looking as ugly an invalid as ever an unwilling nurse took care of. The time dragged on my hands, and I needed a cigarette badly, but that was tabooed. I was restless, too, and did not feel at all like sleeping, so I cast about for some way of passing the time. There was no books in the room except an ancient al- manac, and a Young Lady’s Keepsake for 1854, neither of which promised very. ex- citing reading. I decided I would go down to the library, and lay in a supply. I went down, but had some difficulty in finding just what I wanted. The door of the library was ajar, and while I browsed there among the books, dipping into this one and tasting that, [ heard my uncle’s shuffling step go through the hall and up the stairs. Then -quiet settled down over the old house, except for the occasional creakings that are to be heard in such places. One of these, louder than usual, drew me from skimming over ‘‘ The Three Muske- teers” and brought me to attention. I listened, and I heard it repeated. | Yes, I was not mistaken, it was some one coming softly down stairs. I blew out my candle and crept to the door, - through which I peered. Whoever was coming down the stairs, carried a light, for I could see a glimmer which increased each second; then the carrier of the light came for an instant in my range of vision, and I saw that it was Shirley. Well, there was nothing strange in her coming down stairs; it was not late, and she might easily have come on the same errand that I was on. In fact, she came at once to the library door ang I was an-. noyed, for I could not very well explain why I was lurking there in the dark. ' On a foolish impulse, I slipped swiftly behind a tall screen, and regretted it- as instantly, for if she found me here like this she would certainly accuse me of spying— and with some good reason. The longer I delayed showing myself the more difficult my action would’ be to explain. I could _ only hope that she might leave soon and would not discover me, pa ak frc AKO) 7 /\ ( J J U PINS | SS aD =i) CO