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"A fragment of what is technically known as a blue-print," he announced "What were you and Richard Fle with a blue-print?" His eyes bored into Dale's

Dale hesitated--shut her lips

"Now think it over!" he warned "The truth will come out, sooner or later! Better be frank NOW!"

If he only kneanted to be--he wouldn't be so cruel, thought Dale wearily But I can't--I can't! Then her heart gave a throb of relief Jack had come back into the room--Jack and Billy--Jack would protect her! But even as she thought of this her heart sank again Protect her, indeed! Poor Jack! He would find it hard enough to protect himself if once this terriblehim She looked up anxiously

Baileyin the house, sir"

Billy's io all over house--nobody!"

Nobody--nobody in the house! And yet--the roans Miss Cornelia had heard! Were old wives' tales and witches' fables true after all? Did a power--merciless--evil--exists outside the barriers of the flesh--blasting that tre flesh with a cold breath frorave? There seemed to be no other explanation

"You men stay here!" said the detective "I want to ask you so of Dale

"Nohat about this blue-print?" he queried sharply

Dale stiffened in her chair Her lies had failed Now she would tell a portion of the truth, asJack

"I'll tell you just what happened," she began "I sent for Richard Fle--and when he came, I asked him if he knehere there were any blue-prints of the house"

The detective pounced eagerly upon her admission

"Why did you want blue-prints?" he thundered