Page 77 (1/1)

"Did he?" went on Anderson inexorably

Dale stared at hi point had coer be able to control herself She would sob out the truth hysterically--that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, thecashier--that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosoht unravel the secret of the Hidden Rooinning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion

"What's that?" she said in a startled voice

The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant

"What's what?"

"I heard so toward the French s

All eyes followed the direction of her stare There was an instant of silence

Then, suddenly, traveling swiftly froht to left across the shades of the French s, there appeared a glowing circle of brilliant white light Inside the circle was a black, distorted shadow--a shadow like the shadow of a gigantic black Bat! It was there--then a second later, it was gone!

"Oh, my God!" wailed Lizzie fron!"

Jack Bailey made a dash for the terrace door But Miss Cornelia halted him peremptorily

"Wait, Brooks!" She turned to the detective "Mr Anderson, you are fan of the Bat Did that look like it?"

The detective seemed both puzzled and disturbed "Well, it looked like the shadow of a bat I'll say that for it," he said finally

On the heels of his words the front door bell began to ring All turned in the direction of the hall

"I'll answer that!" said Jack Bailey eagerly

Miss Cornelia gave him the key to the front door

"Don't admit anyone till you knoho it is," she said Bailey nodded and disappeared into the hall The others waited tensely Miss Cornelia's hand crept toward the revolver lying on the table where Anderson had put it down

There was the click of an opening door, the noise of a little scuffle--then ry dispute "What do I know about a flashlight?" cried an irritated voice "I haven't got a pocket-flash--take your hands off ri The scuffle resumed

Then Doctor Wells burst suddenly into the room, closely followed by Bailey The Doctor's tie was askew--he looked ruffled and enraged Bailey followed hi not quite sure whether to allow hian the Doctor in tones of high dudgeon, "won't you instruct your servants that even if I do make a late call, I am not to be received with violence?"