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Lizzie o up that staircase!" she wailed, jabbing her forefinger in the direction of the alcove stairs

Miss Cornelia, now recovered froallantly

"That's the only explanation, Mr Anderson," she said decidedly

The detective looked at the stairs--at the terrace door His eyes 's body "I've been all over the house," he said "There's nobody there"

A pause followed Dale found herself helplessly looking toward her lover for co his own secret

Eerily, through the tense silence, a sudden tinkling sounded--the sharp, persistent ringing of a telephone bell

Miss Cornelia rose to answer it automatically "The house phone!" she said Then she stopped "But we're all here"

They looked attach other aghast It was true And yet--somehow--so the living-room

Miss Cornelia summoned every ounce of inherited Van Gorder pride she possessed and went to the phone She took off the receiver The ringing stopped

"Hello--hello--" she said, while the others stood rigid, listening Then she gasped An expression of wondering horror came over her face