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Show TIE CIRCULAR STAIRCASE "Kmny B. ROBERTS The Intrepid general was rallying her wavering female troops. "Women. she cried, 'will you give way to mannish fears? A muffled murmur of indecision ran through the ranks "Shall it be said that we are clothed in mail armour?" shrieked the general The murmur became a mumble. 'Will you, fiercely demanded tbe general, show the white feather in a season when feathers are not being worn? The effect was electrical. Never! roared the soldiery. And, forming themselves fast into battle array, they once more hurled themselves upon the enemy. RINEHART ILLUSTRATIONS Mnwcwaw r BY f 6YN0PSIS. Miss Tunes, spinster and guardian of Gertrude and Halsey, established summer headquarters at Sunnyside. The servants desert. Gertrude and Halsey arrive with Jack Bailey. The house was awakened by a revolver shot and Arnold was found shot to death in the Armstrong hall. Miss lnnes found Halsey's revolver on the lawn. He and Jack Bailey had disappeared. Gertrude revealed that she was engaged to Jack Bailey, with whom she talked in the billiard 'room shortly before the murder. Detective Jamieson accused Miss lnnes of holding back evidence. He Imprisoned an intruder in an empty room. The prisoner escaped. Gertrude was suspected because of an Injured foot. Hal-ae- y reappears and says he and Bailey were called away by a telegram. Cashier bank, deBailey of Paul Armstrong's funct, was arrested for embezzlement. Paul Armstrongs death was announced. Halsey's fiancee. Louise Armstrong, told Halsey that while Bhe still loved him, she was to marry another. It developed that Dr. Walker was the man. Louise was found at the bottom of the circular staircase. Recovering consciousness, she said Something had brushed by her on the stairway and she fainted. Bailey Is susAfter pected of Armstrongs murder. ''seeing a ghost, Thomas, the lodgekeep-e- r, was found dead with a slip in his the name of "Lucien Wal-ace- ." ?locket bearing Dr. Walker asked Miss lnnes to vacate in favor of Mrs. Armstrong. 8he refused. A note from Bailey to Gertrude a meeting at night was found. arranging A ladder out of place deepens the mystery. CHAPTER XXIII Continued. Apparently only a few minutes elapsed, during which my eyes were becoming accustomed ta the darkness. Then I noticed that the windows were reflecting a faint pinkish light; Liddy noticed it at the same time, and I heard her jump up. At that moment Sams deep voice boomed from somewhere just below. "Fire! he yelled. The stable's on Are! I could see him in the glare dancing up and down on the drive, and a moment later Halsey joined him. Alex was awake and running down the stairs, and in five minutes from the time the lire was discovered three of the maids were sitting on their trunks In the drive, although, excepting a few sparks, there was no fire nearer than 100 yards. Gertrude seldom loses her presence of mind, and she ran to the telephone. But by the time the Casanova volunteer lire department came tolling up the hill the stable was a furnace, with the Dragon Fly safe but blistered, In the road. Some gasoline exploded just as the volunteer department got to work, which shook their nerves as well as the burning building. The stable, being on a hill, was a torch to attract the population from every direction. The stable was off the west wing. I hardly know how I came to think of the circular staircase and the unguarded door at its foot Liddy was putting my clothes into sheets, preparatory to tossing them out the window, when I found her, and I could hardly persuade her to stop. I want you to come with me, Bring a candle and a Liddy, I said. couple of blankets. She lagged behind considerably when she 'saw me making for the east wing, and at the top of the staircase she balked. I am not going down there, she said firmly. There is no one guarding the door I explained. "Who down there, knows? this may be a scheme to draw everybody away from this end of the house, and let some one in here. The instant I had said it I was convinced I had hit on the explanation, and that perhaps it was already too late. It seemed to me as I listened that I heard stealthy footsteps on the east porch, but there was so much shouting outside that it was impossible to tell. Liddy was on the point of retreat. Very well, I said, then I shall go down alone. Run back to Mr. Halsey's room and get his revolver. Don't shoot down the stairs if you hear a noise; remember I shall be down there. And hurry. I put the candle on the floor at the top of the staircase and took off my bedroom slippers. Then I crept down the stairs, going very slowly, and listening with all my ears. Just at the foot of the stairs I stubbed my toe against Halsey's big chair, and had to stand on one foot in a soundless agony until the pain subsided to a dull ache. And then I knew I was right. Some one had put a key into the lock, and was turning it. For some reason it refused to work, and the key was withdrawn. There was a muttering of voices outside; I had only a second. Another trial, and the door would open. The candle above made a faint well-likstaircase, gleam down the and at that moment, with a second, no more, to spare, I thought of a plan. The heavy oak chair almost filled the space between the newel post and the door. With a crash I had turned it on its side, wedging it against the door, its legs against the stairs. I could hear a faint scream from Liddy at the crash and then she came down the stairs on a run, with the revolver held straight cut In front of her. "Thank God, she said, in a shaking voice. 1 thought it was you. I pointed to the door, and she un derstood. Call out of the windows at the other end of the house, 1 whispered. Tell them not to wait for Run e INDIAN WAR A LA MOEZ. SUMMER. In the mellow Indian summer Lie the meadows calm and still. Smiling as the peaceful plumber When you settle up his bill. Just about the middle distance Theie's a mule devouring hay: your patient. I wish merely to ask a Doesn't seem to want assistance. Bo you'd better keep away. question. Won't you sit down?" Far above with wing that quickens It will not be necessary. Doctor, Floats a hawk of piercing eye has any one come to you, either early While he scans the ground for chli That the farmer wants to fry. to have you this morning or treat a bullet wound?" In the thicket hides the rabbit, "Nothing so startling has happened Bhy as any startled fawn; If you have the hunting habit to me, he said. A bullet wound! You can gamble he Is on. Things must be lively at Sunnyside. I didn't say it was at Sunnyside. In the woods are reds and yellows But as it happens, it was. If any such Blazing every way you turn, Boon, I think, these farmer fellows case comeB to you, will it be too much Will have autumn leaves to burn trouble for you to let me know?" I shall be only too happy, he said. Rare and radiant Indian summer An Optimist. On the blue hills far away. I understand you have had a fire up Young Son (to mother, who has Just Here or there, you are a hummer. there, too. A fire and shooting in one been So we wish that you would stay. to join the Optimistic night is rather lively for a quiet place Club ofinvited what dear, Mamma, America) that. like Strenuous Maid. I Is an optimist? "It is as quiet as a boiler-shop,- " The fresh drummer approached tbe Fond An Mother son. my optimist, replied, as 1 turned to go. old farmer who was sitting on an upIs a poor woman who lives in a And you are still going to stay? one hundred turned tub sunning himself. Until I am burned out, I respond- servants ormansion, keeps Deuced pretty daughter you have." two or three has more, ed. And then, on my way down the said the drummer, boldly. Where who do hunt but up agents nothing steps, I turned around suddenly. some new way for her to spend her has she been during the past year?" I asked at a venture, Income, and can, in Doctor, Up in a town college learning tbie spite of ail this, have you ever heard of a child look into the future with a sweet smile here physical culture." responded the named Lucien Wallace? and a brave heart. Clarkes Book old man. Clever as he was, his face changed Herald. And has It been of any service to and stiffened. He was on his guard her? 'I should say so, stranger. Bhe has again in a moment. HIS PROGRESS. Lucien Wallace?" he repeated. done up six chicken thieves, tossed four tramps out of the yard and made No, I think not. There are plenty of two aassy hired men run for their Wallaces around, but I dont know any Lucien. lives. She also makes a specialty at I was as certain as possible that doing up fresh drummers, so I would he did. People do not He readily to advise you to move on. And the fresh drummer moved. , me, and this man lied beyond a doubt. But there was nothing to be gained now; his defenses were up, and I left, One Use for Them. Then you like half irritated and wholly baffled. Postmistress Door. It Went Off, Right Through the town nieces to send you those ne Our reception was entirely different Dr. Stewarts. Taken into the fangled souvenir postal cards She went up the stairs at that, two gone, and the large and expensive at Flinders out of leather? at a time. Evidently she collided stable at Sunnyside was a heap of bosom of the family at once, the grass at Uncle Weatherby By heck, yes; I with the candle, for It went out, and smoking rafters and charred boards. tied outside and nibbling drank so . uch on sentimental cysrdg I and Gertrude aint the roadside, Warner swore the fire was incendiary, I was left in darkness. wine and but when they are made out of leather some home-mad- e elderberry 1 to enter in of view and the cool. I was really astonishingly attempt told briefly of the fire. Of the more they come in handy to mend boots remember stepping over the chair and the house, there seemed to be no serious with. of the experience, nights part gluing my ear to the door, and I shall doubt of it we said nothing. But when of course, never forget feeling it give an inch or Waste. at last we had left the family on the CHAPTER XXIV. two there in the darkness, under a was visiting her grandpar was Dorothy untydoctor and the good porch But steady pressure from without. for the first time. ents In the country same him the our I asked steed, ing Flinders. the chair held, although I could hear scab Seeing a quantity of feathers Dr. to Walker. I had put question If Halsey had only taken me fully an ominous cracking of one of the He Has Ferdy proposed to Grace tered about the henyard she shoob Bless soul, said. "Shot!" he my her head in disapproval. legs. And then, without the slightest into his confidence through the whole no. Why, what have you been doing yet? She No; she says he's only prowarning, the cardroom window broke affair it would have been much "Grandpa, she said, gravely, yes lnnes? Miss at the house, up big If he had been altogether frank with a crash. I had my finger on the gressed far enough to sit and stare at really ought to do something to keeg house enter the to Some one tried your chickens from wearing out sol" trigger of the revolver, and as I about Jack Bailey, and If the day after and was shot and her. The Delineator. jumped it went off, right through the the flrq he had told me what he sus- during the fire, I said hastily. door. Some one outside swore round- pected, there would have been no bar slightly injured, The Wise Maid. we to wish mention Please dont it; A lot of men have family trees. NIGHT IN MERMANVILLE. ly, and for the first time I could hear rowing period for all of us, with the make as little of it as possible. And of them loudly rant; what was said. boy in danger. But young people But I would rather wed a man There was one other possibility, and to profit by the experience of Only a scratch. . . . Men are at Who has a business plant Casanova station I At we tried that. and sometimes the elders their elders, the other end of the house. . . him asked and saw the station maBter, Have the whole rats nest on us, are the ones to suffer. Very Romantic. between I was much used up the day after if any trains left Casanova And a lot of profanity which I wont Gunner Some romantic writer conwas There one oclock and daylight. write down. The voices were at the the fire, and Gertrude insisted on my none Is tends this the season married that until 6 a. m. The next question broken window now, and although I going out. The machine was tempomen are blessed with loving postmore diplomacy. was trembling violently, I was de- rarily out of commission, and the car- required at the end of the letters they Did you notice on the six oclock scripts termined that I would hold them until riage horses had been sent to a farm receive from their wives. train any person any man who help came. I moved up the stairs un for the summer. Gertrude finally got Guyer I would like to shake that "Please I asked. a little? writer's hand. You should see the til I cduld see into the cardroom, or a trap from the Casanova liveryman limped to remember; we are trying to lovin,. rather through it, to the window. As and we went out. Just as we turned try postscripts I receive from my was seen loitering wife. I looked a small man put his leg over from the drive into the road we passed trace a man who before last around night Sunnyside Gunner Ah! Something very rothe sill and stepped into the room. a woman. She had put down a small eh? The curtain confused him for a mo- valise, and stood inspecting the house the fire. mantic, He was all attention in a moment. ment; then he turned, not toward me, and grounds minutely. I should hard Guyer I should say so: "Feed the I was up there myself at the fire, cat and water the plants." but toward the billiard room door, ly have noticed her had it not been Im. a member of fired again, and something that was for the fact that she had been horribly he said volubly. the volunteer company. First big fire Across the Hall. glass or china crashed to the ground. disfigured by smallpox. we've had since the summer house Then I ran up the stairs and along the "Say. Snibbs, let me use your Ugh! Gertrude said, when we had burned over to the club golf links. corridor to the main staircase. Ger- passed, what a face! I shall dream phone, will you? My wife was sayin the other day, Whats the matter "Sure trude was standing there, trying to of it Get up, Flinders. the well saved 'a' ' might as locate the shots, and I must have Flinders?" I asked. "Is that the Dave, you yours? money in that there helmet and shirt.' all right. I want to telephone Mrs. Mermaid Did you put out the been a peculiar figure, with my hair horses name? "Its And here last night tliey came in to to Im wife that catfish? in crimps, my dressing-gow- n going bring my no is. It She flicked the horse flying, that bell so hard I man from out cf Mr. Mermaid Yea, but If that do to dinner." He handy. Rang slippers, and a revolver clutched in stubby mane with the whip. to get em on. hadn't time scarcely fiBh doesn't quit his baying at the "Well? my hand. I had no time to talk. didnt look like a livery horse, and And did you see a man who Hes sitting in my room now and moonflsh Ill never get any sleep. There was the sound of footsteps In the liveryman said he had bought Gertrude put in, as he I hate to have him watch my face limped? the lower hall, and some one bounded him from the Armstrongs when they for breath. Rises to the Occasion. when my wife tells me what she up the stairs. purchased a couple of motors and cut stopped Not at the train, mam, he said. thinks of the proposition." the countrys all agog when It's I had gone Befserk, I think. I down the stable. Nice Flinders good With politics, and statesmen full. on here No such got person leaned over the stair-rai- l and fired old boy! That each small criticising soul But Ill tell you where I did see a CHEEKY. Keels certain that he knows It alL again. Halsey, below, yelled at me. Flinders was certainly not a com man that I till the didn't wait limped. What are you doing up there? he mon name for a horse, and yet the A Correction. there's, a fast freight yelled. "You missed me by an inch. youngster at Richfield had named his company left; at 4:45, and I had to said the teacher ol goes through "Now, Caroline, And then I collapsed and fainted. prancing, curly-hairelittle horse get down to the station. I seen there a certain Sunday in class the infant I came When around Liddy was rub- Flinders! It set me to thinking. wasn't much more to do anyhow at school, its your turn. What does bing my temples with eau de quinine, At my request Halsey had already the fire wed got the flames under conyour 'little card say?" and the search was in full blast. sent word of the fire to the agent trol Gertrude looked at me and Caroline climbed off her chair and Well, the man was gone. The stable from whom me had secured the house smiled so I started down the hill. stood looking earnestly at the teachef burned to the ground, while the crowd Also, he had called Mr. Jamieson by while she explained: "My card Is There was folk here and there goin cheered at every falling ratfeK and telephone, and somewhat guardedly wrong. Miss Appleton. It says, Watch home, and along by the path to the the volunteer fire department sprayed had told him of the previous night and pray, and it should say, Watch Country club I seen two men. One it with a garden hose. And in the events. Mr. Jamieson Life. and chain. was a short fellow. He was sitting oa promised house Alex and Halsey searched every come out that night, and to bring an a his back to me, and he rock, big A corner of the lower floor, finding no other man with him. I did not con had Method in Her Breakage. something white in his hand, as if one. aider it necessary to notify Mrs. Arm he was is an awfully bright girl foot. Augusta his After I'd tvirg up The truth of my story was shown strong, in the village. No doubt she Isnt she? on a piece I looked bark, and he gone by the broken window and the over- knew of the fire, and in view of rov Yes. indeed. When she Is readhs hobbling on and excuse me, miss turned chair. That the unknown had refusal to give up the house an intering a novel on the front porch her he was swearing something sicken' got upstairs was almost impossible. view would probably have been un- ing. mother never thinks of asking her to He had not used the main staircase, pleasant enough. But as we wash the dishes. (TO BE CONTINUED) passed there was no way to the upper floor Dr. Walker's white and green house Why not? in the east wing, and Liddy had been I thought of Shes sure to break so many ol something. Marvels of Modern Surgery. at the window, in the west wing, them. I said. I Stop here, Gertrude, Knife operations on the stomach where the servants stair went up. But am going to get out. have given a death rate of from one we did not go to bed at all. Sam BoIdeal and Real. To see Louise? she asked. to 20 per cent, against 20 to 40 per Miss Charmin Youve a good mind hannon and Warner helped in the "Oh, Peter, what have yon been doNo, I want to ask this young Walker cent, ten years ago. Cutting open to kiss me? Well, I must say adsearch, and not a closet escaped something. ing? Didn't you promise me faithful the mire your cheek! the upper abdomen, splitting that you would be a good boy? scrutiny. Even the cellars were given ly I She was curious, I knew, but I did stomach open and turning it wrong like yours Thats Kargorn And a thorough overhauling, without re- not wait to "Yes, mother, but something always explain. I went up the side out, searching for cancers and why Ive a good mind to kiss you. sult. The door in the east entry had walk to the house, where a brass Fliegende happens to prevent me sign ulcers, has become a not uncommon a hole through it where my bullet had at the side announced the Biaetter. Effort. Wasted office, and operation, often followed by great The hole slanted downward, went in. The reception room was gone. What's the use to worry? If poverty's a disaster One Man's Knowledge. and the bullet was embedded in the empty, but from the consultation cures and benefits, and is largely an At. eriean York New specialty. Growling will not hurry As the poet says, remarked the porch. Some reddish stains showed it room beyond came the sound of two Fortune faster. any iless. had done execution. garrulous barber, art is long. voices, not very amicable. 1 guess the poet was right, reSomebody will walk lame, Halsey How He Departed. It is an outrageous figure," some Philatelism His Hobby. the victim in the chair. "AnyI said, when he had marked the course one was storming. Then the doctor's joined told Mr. Norah, you Spoonamore State Senator Ernest R. Ackerman, was not at home, did you?" of the bullet. It's too low to have hit quiet tone, evidently not way, the tonsorlal art seems to be arguing, of New Jersey, who is now enjoying I did. Miss Cairpentor. anything but a leg or foot. merely stating something. But I had From that time on I watched every not time to listen to some person t is annual trip abroad, is one of the And I suppose he left in a towering ' Not Always. person 1 met for a limp, and to this probably disputing his bill, so I b t known and most enthusiastic col- Indignation? counAll is not gold that glitters, quoted (lay the man who halts in bis walk 13 coughed. The voices ceased at once; lectors of rostage stamps in this "No, mem; he left in an ortymobile." the nioraiizer an object of suspicion to me. But a door closed somewhere, and the dor-to- try So large is his collection that he "No, rejoined the demoralizer, Casanova had no lame men; the nearentered from the hall of the house has set apart one room in ills home Providing. est approach to It was an old fellow He looked sufficiently surprised at see in Plainfield as a stamp room, in "Don't you believe in allowing every and neither is about !)3 rer cent, ol what is estimated as gold in a mining which are some of the rarest of man to follow his own bent? who tended the safety gates at the ing me prospectus bo dear to the heart of tho "Good afternoon, doctor, lailroad, and he, I learned on inquiry, "Well, not if it's crooked. I said I shall not keep you fro-had two artificial legs. Our man had lormally. philatelist. to-da- , sim-pier- re-fus- t. to-da- d 1 long-winde- |
