The evening world. Newspaper, May 9, 1916, Page 17

The Eve ning Wo ‘The House of the Purple Stairs AM U tery Story with a olly New Twist. (Copyright, 1915, Ny Prank A, Munsey Company.) RYNO PAIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS, LL Me er, jammed the Weth- in time to. gee Bertha CHAPTER IN. #nter Mr. Quinn. rT) ie right, Mr. Gordon; quite right, uu know the your y is inno- cent? “That resting, very would yeu mind telling mo how you know it?” Gordon felt the dull color, mounting to his ‘cheek bones, and a spark of light #tinted in his eyes that promised little good to his questioner. But Quinn's apparently innocent question had struck on the weak spot, and Gor- don know that to show anger would be to acknowledge uncertainty. So he enly answered, half contemptuously: “L shall give you @ chance to find that out for yourself, Mr. Quinn, It would be a pity for you to come all this distance without having an op- portunity of exercising your talents.” ‘Thank you, Mr, Gordon,” the otheg answered, almost humbly, "1 shall certainly avail myself of the oppor- tunity.” Govdon regretted his anger and tho hasty speech it had forced him into almost as goon as it was over; tho more so because Quinn showed no out- yard sign of resenting it. He was not ved by that last fact. Quinn was A man who never forgot or forgavs and it had been unwise to anticipate trouble. He would have regretted it still more if, when after a few more per- functory questions the detective lett him, he had seen him slip quietly into the back part of tho house in search of Martha; and the smile on the little man's face as he jotted down her statements would have warned him of new dangers ahead. Hfis thoughts were unpleasant enough, however, as he sat there watching the hot sun dip behind tho line of blue hills across the river. So far nothing had been done to clear Bertha, and the presence of the other detective coinplicated matters to an extent he hardly liked to acknowl- edge. Rollins was clever, and he trusted greatly in him; but he had not had time to find out much as yet, and the only clue they had unearthed thus far had led to a blank wall. The more Gordon thought it over the more important it seemed for the tramp to be found, But how? He had apparently vanished into space. Where on earth could he be? The sound of crunching gravel made him look up quickly, expecting to ace Bertha; but it was only old Jerry coming slowly along the path, watering can in hand, With a sud- den new idea Gordon leaned forward and spoke “Good evening Can I have @ word with y The old mun blinked et him sus- erry. Piciously for an instant, “Oh, it's Mr, Gordon I thought you was one of them ‘tective chaps that’s been a pokin’ round and askin’ questions all day, Precious lot they got out of me, I tell you. 1 know what I know, but I'm not a tellin’ every one.” bat it the. Jerry,” ‘re dead ri laughed Gordon, 1 from what I ea clever de- who could out of you than you wanted to let by, but as/I'm not @ detective, and I'm sure ydu're as anxious to clear Mise Bertha as 1 am, [ know you won't mind telling me what you've seen. Jerry put down his water pot and mared, : “Be they a snspectin' Miss Bertha?” he croaked. “I heard somethin’ of tt in the village, but 1 just laughed at them, ‘The idee of her doin’ sich thing as that, her that I've knowed gence she was a little shaver! His indignation choked him and he stopped, speechless. 4 “That's the way I feel too, Jerry," returned Gordon; “and I'm going to do my best to make others feel the game way, Have you any bit of in- formation on the subject? Tell me, for it may help me to clear her.” ‘Pil tell you anythin’ you want, Mr, Gordon; but maybe {t won't be so much, after all. Most folks don’ think a sight,of an old man’s dees. Gordon saw that he wanted en- couragement and proceeded to sup- Nye « “Come now; you know very well you're smarter than most, Jerry, I'd like to have your opinion as to who murdered Mrs, Wetherall.” The ofa man coughed importantly and looked around with exaggerated caution. “Some folks: done ft; butt nd some folks ghost" —~ He paused’ dramatically. “Oh” said Gordon disappointediy, “1 remember you sald you thought Mrs, Wetherall had seen ‘Her'—only how about the pin in her heart?" “That's just ¥ I'm getting at,” yeturnwd Jerry sententiously, “Ghosts oan't Kill with human weapons, but there are black devils in human form y as how Miss Bertha now better than that: thinks ‘twas the that can!” Again he stopped and looked around, A faint shiver passed over the your~ man in spite of his convic+ tion of its absurdity. “What do you mean?” he demand- @ quickly 41 ain't accusin’ anybe mind you: hut the person that killed the poor old lady had a black wasn't in a man either You can't mean—Miss ordon’s voice was sir. 1 as soon suspect my old woman, I ain't @ savin’ as any me special done it: but what did the other mean by tellin’ all kinds of tales the rest of the girl out iets, and black fleeers creepin’ downstairs, and her bein’ so seared to be nea lace after dark; and then standin’ the © on the very spot talkin’ to a atriige man when she was supposed to be gone along with the ner vants?" Nhe othert! repeated don Then bh nd quickly seizing an In- ferences from the conf Uinble of the old. man’s w ou mean Martha Jeniins?” Jerry nodded portentoy ‘Wone else, Mi, Gordon, 1 myeelt.” “When? What man was she talk- ing to? ‘This may be very important, Jerry.” “TL was thinkin’ eo myself, air; but talkin’ gets one into a heap of ‘¢ trouble; and them detective folks has a way of twistin’ things around out of ail moanin’ to suit themselves. She's a devil too, and she don't favor im, me, neither; so I guessed T'd better keep my tongue still, and {t wouldn't do no harm to no one, But seein’ it's you, sir, and Miss Bertha’s in danger because of that hatpin Dbusiness— which to-day 1s the first I've hearn es," reassured Gorton {m- ‘You can trust me not to “Yen, yt patiently. get you Into trouble with any one. ‘Tell me everything you know, Jerry— in det il Jerry needed no urging to this ast “Well, sir'—with much enjoyment of the effect he was going to produce— 7 o'clock, and | had just fin- ished watering the plants and was pottering around a@ bit, like I always do at that time to see that things was all right. The servants had all left long before to get the 8.80 for the city, Martha Jenkins among them, and my old woman had come over and cooked the dinner which the folkses was having right then in the dining room, which, as you know, Is in the back of the house, “TL was kind o’ keepin’ an eye on things, for their being back there left the rest of the house pretty deserted, and tramps sometimes come around here, us bein’ 80 close to the river; so when I heerd a sort o’ whisperin’ like comin’ from the hall, I thought I'd go and take @ look. “There's a glass door leadin’ from the greenhouse on the right of the hall into the hall iteelf, and I went in there soft and peeked through the glass door, I could just see the cor- ner of the stairs, and close by it was @ woman's figger, all in black, Iain't afraid of regular ghostses, as I told you before; but I declare it was creepy to see that black figger there, and I was clean ecatrt. I'd ‘a’ run out only I was too acairt e#tiff to do more than stand there starin’, my heart tickin’ like an alarm-clock 80 hard I was afraid it would be heard all over, He paused, and taking @ plug of tobacco from his pocket, carefully bit off a large mouthful, “For the Lord's sake go on, Jerry,” exclaimed Gordon, “What happened then? “Well, sir, it was lucky I was so stupefied; for if I'd run off I'd never have seen what followed. The black figger began to talk again, and some- how the voice sounded familiar, That kind o' steadied me, for it was “# real human voice and one I'd heerd lately. 1 knelt down on the floor and ensed the door open a crack. Then 1 heerd man's voice chime in, ‘I won't allow it, Martha,’ it sald; and th I knowed who the woman was— Martha Jenkins!" He was not disappointed in the ef- fect of hia news on Gordon, As the latter's quick mind took in the si nificance of what he had just heard he uttered an exclamation and faced Jerry eagerly, And then?” « said sharp tk ‘Don't you be Interfering In what don't concern you.’ Then he answered in a hoarse voice: ‘If I'd interfered before when it concerned me, I shoudn’t be drink- in’ myself to death now tryin’ to for- got ft. I'l eee ber and fe her stop it, “And was that all?" demanded Gordon, as the old man estopped in hia aggravating fashion to roll hia quid over to his other cheek. “It was all I could catch, sir, They began whisperin’ and I didn’t dare open the door wider for fear they'd seo me. Tho man's face was turned toward me.” “Oh, you saw him then! What did he look like?” “T couldn't rightly eee him through the mite of a space, but from the lit tle I did see he wasn't tho kind I'd like to have ground the honee A lar dirty tramp he i a tramp Gordon whistled nificantly, ‘Was he very thin and consumptive - looking, with a bad cough? Had Lia Beit abe @ big red scar on the right chee Jerry nodded. ‘That's him. Bome- how I thought I'd seen the fellow be~ fore, but I couldn't be sure. Well, all of a suddint they disappeared. I could hear ‘em tiptoeing soft like out onto the porch, I sneaked out the way I come in as fast as I could go, tryin’ to catch ‘em before they got down the steps, but when I did there wasn't hair nor hide of ‘em—Iin the shrubbery or in the grounds, either, though I hunted all over. Now, what I want to know, air, is why that jade Martha left with the other servants and then came back again; and who the man was. Neither of them were » to any good, I'll bet.” Wathatia what we've Kot to find out: but I think you're guess is @ shrewd one, Jerry. Anyway, you've put mo on to some very valuable Information that I'm sure will help clear Mi Bertha.” aa Lp #0, too, air, I'm glad if I've done you any good. Thank you, sir,” as Gordon handed him a bill. «, I'll keep my eyes open and tell you all I gees, I've got a smart boy that I'll put on the watch, too. Ain't much that'll escape young Jerry, I 1 you." tellyor his dad," laughed Gordon, “It either you or he can put me on the track of that tramp, you can retire from gardening for good. But why didn't you tell me this before “Well, sir, Chadn't heard of the pin, and T wasn't going to speak until T saw how things were, T wish T had now, sir: but meabbe it isn't too late.” ‘No, no? only let me know anything more you find out at once! Ho caught sight of Bertha coming down the path and, eutting short the ol} man’s. garrulous protestations, hastened to meet her. CHAPTER IV, New Clues, “ COULD not get away be fore,” she said, as they met 1am afraid wa shall have only a few minutes now before din ner But tell me, have you heard anything?" as she noted the sup- pressed excitement in his face, “I've stumbled upon an important clue," he answered eagerly, : tld Daily Magazine, T fa, Yess, ) WELL T WON'T BUY ANY NEw CLOTH Hag | ( CLOTHES THEN CFONE UP ON —— ACCOUNT oF g THE WAR, SHIRTS HAVE GONE UP FIFTY PER CENT 2) Yes Sirk RAZORS SOAPS AND PERFUMES HAVE GONe UP 2 V ia DE “What is 1t?” she asked with equal eagerness. He repeated what Jerry had told him, and added: “Have you ever had any reason to @istrust Martha Jenkin: “I never trusted her. She was al- ways repellent to me somehow; I know she didn’t like me, and I often fancied that she spied on me. She was a good servant in other ways, and my aunt relied on her a great deal.” “Had she been with you long?” “Since my father died. She mar- Tied some sort of worthless man, I believe, who ran away from her, but my aunt was very good to her and took her in her employ.” “Ah-h,” observed Gordon slowly. She etared at him. you think it might be the same man that Jerry overheard her talking to?” “Yes; and more than that, I think that if we can find that man we shall know who killed Mrs, Wetherall.” Bertha started. “So you still think she was murdered?” Gorion bit his lip. He had forgot. ton, in his excitement over this dis- covery, the theory to which it was evident she still obstinately clung. “I must, Miss Wetherall; for there 1g no other theory that will fit the case and at the same time clear you, Can't you see that for yourself?” A spasm of something like fear dis- turbed the calm of her face. “It's the same old thing,” she cried despairingly. “You don't believe me! But I am positive that I saw my aunt come down the stairs, and that before she fell she was aa alive and well as you and I are no “And the hatpin? “I know, he queried. When I think of that my brain reels; it all seems @o dreadfully improbable, And yet I am positive that I was not dreaming—nor mad Can't you believe that also? I shall be if this does not stop soon.” Gordon ‘mprisoned both her wildly fluttering hands in his, “You mi calm yourself, Miss ‘Wetherall, and leave this to me. I believe nothing but what is best of Sou, and others shall, too.” Her hands lay quietly in his now, mut sho looked up at him with the same hunted expression, “If I could only think #o! If there ‘was only some way to reconcile the impossible, I feel as If a great net were closing around me, and when IT try to think of a way of escape I can sea none.” “Try not to think,” he interrupted. am here to do that for you, and I am confident that the way of es- cape will open, for I intend to make tn She looked up into his resolute face, and a hope dawned in her own, “I believe you will, and 1 am glad it 1s you who are to do it." v an gratitude in t into his, and Gordon’s efforts to maintain the - ber attitude of a lawyer toward client would have succ but for a sudden ints “T beg your pardon, his umbed swiftly ruption. boomed out the deep voice of Quinn behind them; fi p to tell y “but your unc n in ready Their hand and they turned quickly little man peering at 1 ysual ner vous and embarr “Now, how the Id he know wa were here?” thought Gordon to himself savagely, while Hertha flushed with painful embarrassment As if in answer to the unspoken ques- tion, the little detective hurried on: YES SIR, MATERIALS FoR ) e WELL 1 WON'T Buy ANY NEW SHIRTS THEN WELL I Won't WASH oR SHAVE THEN “He thought you might be some- where about tho grounds and asked me to tell you if I should happen to meet you.” “Thank you," she answered coldly, and, turning, went toward the house. Quinn bowed and with a sonorous “Good night!" to Gordon, slipped away noisclessly, Gordon followed Bertha with an an- noying uncertainty in his mind as to how much of thelr conversation the detective had overheard. Half. way to the house he met Rollins, but had only time to tell him to come back that evening, aw ho had an important clue, Gordon could hardly restrain his impatience during dinner or endure the polite conversation with which Mr, Wetherall always favored bim, and which fell unheeded on two patra of ears that evening. He slipped out as soon as he could and hurried away in goarch of Rol- ling, He encountered that individual half way up the drive, strolling lel- surely along, smoking a huge cigar, the glowing end of which served @ most as well as an acetylene head- Nght to mark his approach. He ceased puffing, however, when Gordon began his tale and fet his cigar go out while he listened, “You certainly have found out something Important. If we can nab our man, I'm. willing to bet we can clear Miss Wetherall. The fact of Martha Jenkins being in with him gives more motive to the whole case Tt wasn't robbery, for nothing wns stolen; but revengo Is more probable, If he tx the drunken husband Miss Wetherall spoke of (as he undoubt- edly is), it might be possible that he considered Mrs. Wetherall respon- sible for Martha's leaving him, and 80 havo wanted to get even, “Hut Miss Wetherall eaid that he left her, not sho him,” objected Gor- don “He might have been away,” revurned Rollins, might have known more than was wine about family affairs. From what you ov heard him saying to Mr. Wetherall, it in evident he thought he had some hold over him." “But why should he have come back after (he murder when the wisest course would have been to clear out “Because he had no money to clear out with, and he wanted to blackmail Wetherall into giving it to him.” “Rut Wetherall must have auspec ed him. Why didn't he arrest him? “Maybe he didn't dare, Anywa he couldn't, for the tramp didn't kill rail.” at the detective's "What. Who do you think did, then The 8 returned ling la- conically, a velit his cigar, “Whew! What makes you think tt than © Whoever jabbed that pin ady hand and a vindietiva javen't yet seen our friend, but from your deseription Way he was boozed up, | am bet he had nelther, It was man or & clever doct dothat pin in ve you “are right,” reflected uehtfully., “But what was hat we've got to th he lhe is nd ia OLE Of t Martha must bo strong nerved return after doing such @ thing,” mused Gordon, uesday,. May Orprristt 1916 AN oe! Fork ‘veut fray Yes SiR, LEATHER Hag GFONE UP one HUNDREO PER CENT, Yes Sir, HATS, Tes ANDO GLOVES HAVE CLONE UP Two HUNDRED PER CENT ¢ ALLRIGHT | WoNn'T Buy Any) NEW SHOES THEN a WELL | ANY WON'T Buy, THEN WHY NOT 7 Sunner ’ 1S COMING oe mee SN tem Pia in springtime. derstand the conclusion to which I am forced against my will.” For @ moment Gordon could not speak. ou must have etrong grounds on which to make such a statement,” he exclaimed at last. “You sald nothing of this before.’ ‘Naturally not,” returned the other, “I am only telling this to you In strictest confidence, because you are her counsel, and should know every- thing fully; but I hope and pray that I may be wrong and that my dear nicea may be fully acquitted. You can count on me to do everything in my power to assist you, He got up wearily. “You will par- don mo If I retire now? [ aim very tired, and the events of the last two days have shaken me greatly,’ He did, indeed, seem very feeble and suddenly old. Gordon made no further comment, and followed him upstairs aiiently, The light was still on in Hertha’s room, but it flickered and went out as he passed by her door, Gordon's desire for sleep had left him, Ho lit his pipe and gettied down to think, What Wetherall had just told him would have disquieted him more if it had not been for the new element introduced into the case by Jerry's story, With this possible solution of the mystery at hand, he could afford to discount what might after all be only & malicious invention, And yet what object could Wether- all have in accusing his own niece? Gordon made a mental note to tele- phone early next morning and eet Brinsley to making inquirios about him. He distrusted Wetherall pro- foundly, but had to acknowledge to himself that so far he could not be accused of any unworthy motive for hi ection, This, however, might be the chance to trip him up. If only Bertha would not stick to her ridiculous story! The only theory by which he could explain it away fitted in too uncom- fortably with Mr, Wetherall’s to suit him, Hut he told himself impatiently that they were on the right track, and to-morrow might see the capture of the tramp and the end of the puzzle, ‘The house was very still, Outside in the sultry darkness the great trees stood motionless; an occasional light glowed on the dark river beyond and @ far-off whistle from @ passing train was the only sound that punctuated the undertono of the insects, He rose impatiently, tapped the ashes from his pipe and began to undress, He “That's just what made me think overcast, and the heavy rankness of was in no mood for another midnight ehe did 1 If she had covered her tracks well—and she did, except for old Jerry's spying-it was a clever dodge to throw off suspicion by com- ing back, and at the same time give damaging evidence against Miss Wetherall. It took nerve to do it, but the person who committed that crime the undergrowth choked and op- pressed him as tt had done the fret ™ night he came, As he gained the top of the pia: he stopped to wipe the sudden per- spiration from his forehead, and his ance in this house, and it was al- dy past 11, Ho had only taken off his coa! however, when his ear caught a soun which sent him to the door, listening by it with held breath, Some one was going along the hall, softly but unmistakably, for a board creaked had both nerve and @ cool, calcu- eye caught a dark figure seated in the just then. Jating brain, or Lam much mistaken.” “Perhaps Mra. Wetherall bad some hold over her,” suggested Gordon; “but it must bave been more reveng that made her come back to do such 4 thing as that. There are @ lot of things here in this caso that don't agree, and we've got to smooth them out better before we can convince the Grand Jury.” “They'll come," sald Rollins confi- dently. “Even if we can't fix it on the tramp, we've got to get him; and when We do, I'll put him through @ third degree that would raise hair on 4 brass knob. I've got the polico in New York and Albany on the job, too. If he got money from Wetherall, and 1 suspect he did, he's going to put considerable mileage between himself and us. The boose is going to trip him up, though, and we'll catch him then. What does Miss Wetherall think about it?” “She sticks to her same story,” ad- mitted Gordon reluctantly. “That's strange. She seema well balanced in other ways.” a puffed in silence for a few min- w y the way,” asked Gordon, anz- fous to change a subject which pus- zied him also, "have you seen any- thing of our friend Quinn?” “He had dinner at my joint, I naw him making for tho telegraph office as I came up. I've chatted with him © little in my capacity as your clerk only, Hope he doesn't get wise to what Tam. I expect he'll be nosing around after us. Ho's the kind I'd like to send up in an aeroplane head- ed for England and I shouldn't care farthest end. It turned slowly, and he recognized Wetherall. The faint Ugbt from inside fell on his face, and showed it more than usually drawn and white. Moved by a slight pity, up to him. “Ls there anythil Mr. Wetherall? I'll close the hi up If you want to go to bed now." ‘hank yo! the other answered. “Martha has already shut up every- thing.” Then he added, with more Interest in his tone: “Did your man find out anything Gordon stared. He had purposely not told Wetherall that Rollins was a detective, “My clerk?’ he asked with affect- 4 surprise. “Oh, come, Mr. Gordon,” returned Wetherall good-humoredly; “there is no need of attempting to mystify mi That fellow Quinn evidently recog- nized him, because he told me he was & detective, I intended to send for ‘one, but you have forestalled me.” Gordon realized that the secret was out, and that he might as well inform Wetherall of hia standing in the matter, “Miss Wetherall has retained me an her lawyer. I presume that she had already consulted with you. "Sho rarely consults me," remarked Mr. Wetherall, without any show of offense; “put I think she has made a wise choles, Would you mind telling mo what line of defense you are going to take?" Gordon felt the latent sarcasm under this apparently harmless remark, His Gordon went if tha engine stopped in rmidocean, OWA tones were formal as he answored, He'll make trouble if he can,” “That's right,” agreed Gordon, with & yawn, “Well, | guess I'll go back to the house if the s nothing more to discuss, I'm beastly tired, I've never put in two such lively daya in my life before.” fou'd better get all the re: st that's “I Intend to prove that Mias Weather all had nothing to do with her aunt's death, directly or indirectly.” “But how?" persisted Mr. Wether- all blandly: “That, Lam afratd, you must allow me to keep to myself for the present, until my deductions are proved cor- Combe to VoD omry te Hellea ei) iy gupncas eo" asnented Mr. Weth. at 4 Maes nb Pee still with the same good-hu- H ee t 4 don than open de- auld, paused In the act of turning f ordon SHAR amen Aes at? AS jor to-night Yourselves in mystery, [ trust, how- : Ai i} 1K VOM See korn ever that your theory will prove i. ee NL Realthy ‘spot just Self correct, and that my poor niece eho you think it was Martha who 9 What ts your theory?” asked Gor. ied that moulding over?" asked Re cncaceenn Ok UOEN, ¥8 ss to think other- “Bur what reason could she have | think other for doing it?” "You too much, ‘That'a the “What is that? best of reasons for putting any one out of the way Well, I'm not worrled,” laughed Fordon, A night.” CHAPTER V, A Hunt in the Night. S he went toward the house, looming dark and quiet among the motionless trees, he could not repress the same Iittle feeling of nameless dread that always came over him at ite very sight, The night was sultry and That, although my niece ts Inno. cent of all actual thoux it Was h her in ean think the contrary?" en Mr, Wethorall's opaque did not waver under the other's angry on: It Is because you are at t stranger that you can turned slowly It Por (as [ untortunately » often) when her Vioent fits r made her totally unlike her usucily sweet self; fits of which sue lerself kept no after knowledge, you would 1 oan do for you, uae Mri The rooms were all on a narrow haliway that made n rectangle around the open stairs, Bertha'’s room was a large one on the southeast of the house, with the hall to the servante’ wing running along its western aide next to her was the attic stafrway, then Gordon's room, facing the with the servants’ rooms beyond. Wetherall’s room was on the side, almost directly opposite the end of the atairs, with a sitting room and guestroom between that Mr. Wetherall’s room on the southwest, From the sound the person, who- ever It was, was coming from Ber- tha's end toward the staircase, Gordon did not hesitate, but pushed open the door and stepped out into the hall. A white figure was ap- Proaching him slowly, Although he was plainly visible in the Nght which streamed from his room, it did not hesitate but con- tinued to giide toward him ateadily, and something tn its unnatural fixity of purpose made prickles run down Gordon's spine, ‘Then it passed under the shaded Ment that hung in the hall, and with a sudden reltef Gor- don recognized Bertha, He waited, expecting her to spealc to him; but she moved toward him with the same unnatural rigidity, and ay he inet her unsecing eyes, the balls of which seemed almost glassy, he realized at last and with a feeling of shocked surprise that she was walk- ing in her sleep. She passed by him so close that he was obliged to step back Into his room for fear of waking her, and it on down the corridor, He fol- on steadily, turning to the left, until she came to the room that Mra, Wetherall In front of tt ¢ ment, then turned the door and went in, Gordon followed her, feeling his way cautiously in the half darkness Hertha, however, seemed to find no such trouble ‘She moved conf- dently ov u, and began searching on ft, her hands nw uncanny deft over the toilet articles wit out knock y of them over rdon had never been in Mrs. Wetherall's roou glad of but by t in from he remembered that his electri. Cashlight was in his trous- ers pocket, He drew it out and cau tiously tried it, ‘The battery was al most exhausted, but it gave light enough to distinguish objects by, and he was thankful for his foresight Bertha had aba d her searoh on the bureau and was now standing y the chest of drawers pulling out thelr conte and examining them with the same unnata lexterity It Was certainly a stran Ituation the girl, accused of murder, standing there in hor sleep searching the be- longings of her supposed victim; and it Gordon's mind had not been #0 keenly etrung up to find the motive If you were lost in the Canadian woods and a gloricusly beautiful girl should happen along Well, that is the situation confronting the hero of LURA OF THE NORTHLAND By ROBERT E, PINKERTON NEXT WEEK'S COMPLETE NOVEL IN THE EVENING WORLD This is a story of the Big Outdoors —just the sort to read There is plenty of adventure and mystery in it and a goodly portion of somewhat unusual love interest. of this act, he would have been struck by its gruesomeness, What was ashe looking for, and why did theso impationt little sighs shake her at intervais? As he questioned his mind for a #0- Nition, the girl picked up a little white packet and held It for a mo- ment irresolutely before putting ¢t down again, Looking over shoulder, Gordon could see where placed ft, and as she moved back to the dresser and recommenced her restless searching there, he picked up the packet and examined tt curiously, It seemed to consist only of pow- ders, put up in neatly folded such a8 druggists use, and held to- gether by an elastic band. He opened one and found tt was filled with @ white crystal-lke powder, Ho would have replaced them (f a half-memory that had deen troubling him had not flashed back at that tm stant. Where had he seen paper just Ife this, with the same creases and folds —only empty this time? And with the question came the answer—on the oath) night he had for the plece of paper and so escapell being beatneds, hat slip of paper wee 1d with the one he now held in hs hand —that he could swear, He did not stop to reason out the Possible significance of the fact, but slipped the whole package into his pocket, Bertha was standing now in the centre of the room, clasping and uns clasping her hands helplessly and, murmuring: "Where {s it? Where have I put tt?” He was afraid of waking her, but hoe was also afratd of some one hear. ing her. Ho risked the former, Seine clone to her eal soothing’ “What Is it, Misa Bert! . find it for you.” vets Cae She looked at him unseeingly, but the tones of his voice seemed to have A calming effect. She allowed him to slip his arm under hers gently and lead her back to her own room. He listened outside the door for several minutes until he heard the creakiny of the bed as sho got into it, al presently her soft, even breathing, He had a half ‘idea of going back to Mrs. Wetherall's room te continups the search for more clues, but as he tiptoed softly along he saw a light’ appear under Wetherall’s door, Gordon dt@ not want to be found there by him, and he could hardly fat! to hear, as the rooms were so clone, so the young man returned to his own room, where he undr quickly and went to hed, resolute determined to suspend all thoughts on the mybject until the morning. But, though he fell into the sleep of weariness, it was hag-ridden with dreams of figures that moved slowly up and down a colossal staircase at, the top of whieh Mr. Wetherall stood wearing his most charming smile! CHAPTER VI. The Powders. FE woke next morning, jaded and unrefreshed, and lay for some time thinking over wondering what the next would bring. One thing was hopeful; that Bertha were a sleep-walker it might Possibly explain the puzzling confite- tion of her story with the facts, If she had perhaps fallen asleep while ®lancing over the book just before she retired, and had then walked in her sleep toward tho statrcase, the shock of being wakened by stumbling against her aunt's prostrate body might have confused her to the ex- tent of making her imagine that she really saw what sho described #0 vividly, But whether tt was psychologically possible for & somnambulist to carry a dream-born idea over into the wake {ug conactousness, he did not knew. must ask a doctor, and as he felt that Dr, McDonald was prejudiced, he genldea to call up a New York spe- clalist, Nevertheless, though he assured Minself that Wetherall's story had been ourposely exaggerated, it left an annoying impression on ‘his mind which he could not shake off, He set about his toilet, and aftera cold bath felt more like himself, Bertha had a headache, her une! told him, and felt too miserable to it up. He’ did wonder @ after jast night, Some 1 been on her mind th ther and sent her wandering and searching through the hours of rest, and the results of the strain) would show physically, 1f not mentatty. And what had she be looking for among her aun y familiarity that show with tts kr mys effair And yet he could not k from the subject, try a It could not have powder i for she ul yt before returr sitated nic the place. r anxious, frightened face ont of nd, and forget the sound of har peating, “Where ts it? Where thought of the powders mada em out from the pocket where he had hurriedly thrust. them and exaiiine them more ctossty, e wos no druggists mark on them, and no way of telling what the contents were, The connection be. n them and the ie piece he had seen on the stairs was mht, and the fact might be of no Importance whatever; but in. maze of mystery avervthine cou: (Fo Be Continued.) the events of the past day,,