The Sheridan Road Mystery (Mystery Classics Series). Thorne Mabel

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      CHAPTER IV

       THE APARTMENT ACROSS THE HALL

       Table of Contents

      After replacing the padlock and snapping it closed, Morgan pressed the electric button of the apartment across the hall. Footsteps sounded in immediate response, and the next moment the door was furtively opened. Morgan, who by that time was leaning carelessly against the jamb, quietly moved one foot forward into the opening.

      Although the light in the hallway was dim he could see that the woman who stood there was young and remarkably pretty. Removing his hat, he asked politely, "Are you the tenant here?"

      "Yes," came in a soft but nervous voice.

      "May I come in and talk with you a few minutes?" inquired Morgan.

      "What is it you want?" the girl inquired.

      Morgan threw back his coat and disclosed his badge. "I am a city detective, and I would like a few words with you about this affair across the hall."

      "What affair is that?" asked the girl.

      Morgan smiled. "Didn't you know there was some trouble across the hall last night?"

      "No," she returned. "I retired early and have heard nothing about it."

      Morgan was at a loss for a moment. The girl was not of the type that one would associate with persons of a criminal sort. Her replies had been given in a tone of voice so candid and wondering that it hardly seemed possible she could be acting. Whatever the situation, however, Morgan wanted to get inside this apartment and study the girl more closely.

      "Well, I'll tell you all about it," he said, gently, "if you'll let me come in for a moment or two."

      "I know nothing about it," she maintained, with a touch of irritation in her voice, and Morgan's foot signaled to him that she was attempting to close the door.

      Morgan never liked to be rough in his methods. He hesitated over forcing himself into the presence of this young woman, and yet he now had an impression that an interview with her was imperative. There was a slight pause, as he ran over in his mind some way to gain his entrance without force.

      "Do you know Mr. Marsh downstairs?" he inquired, suddenly, his eyes keeping a keen watch on her face.

      "I do not know any of the tenants in the building."

      "That's strange," said Morgan, thoughtfully. "I was just talking with Mr. Marsh, and he told me that you knew all about the trouble last night. He suggested that if I would come and see you I could get just the information I wanted."

      "I don't know this Mr. Marsh, and I can't understand why he should make such a statement." Surprise was apparent in her voice.

      Morgan was quite sure that her surprise was genuine. At the same time his remarks had just the effect he had hoped they would. It brought a new element into the matter and added to the girl's natural curiosity. She opened the door wider, and nodding toward the front room, said, "Step in and tell me what you wish to know."

      The room into which Morgan entered was a counterpart of the one across the hall, though as he rapidly observed the furnishings, he was impressed with the greater taste displayed and the homelike atmosphere. A piece of embroidery, on which she had evidently been working, lay on the arm of a chair near the window.

      Conjecturing that she would resume her seat in this chair, Morgan seated himself where he could keep his back to the window, while the girl whom he was about to question would directly face the full light. Morgan's guess was correct. The girl went directly to the chair she had left to answer his ring, and taking up her embroidery, picked nervously at its edges, meanwhile watching Morgan expectantly.

      Surmising that a direct attempt to question her at once might defeat his purpose, Morgan immediately broke into an account of the previous night's occurrence. As he brought out the various details of what was reported to have taken place, he slyly watched her face. At the end of his recital, he felt convinced that what he told the girl had previously been unknown to her. Moreover, Morgan became sensible of a growing feeling of interest and confidence in the girl. Her sweetness seemed so genuine, her dark blue eyes so frank and honest in the straightforward way they met his.

      "It seems very strange that I heard none of the excitement," remarked the girl, when Morgan had finished his story. "I had a rather busy day yesterday with my studies and retired early."

      Morgan had decided upon his line of questioning while relating the incidents of the night before.

      "May I ask your name?"

      "Certainly," she replied. "My name is Atwood."

      Morgan, having noticed the absence of a wedding ring, assumed that she was unmarried. Therefore, he said, "Is your mother at home, Miss Atwood?"

      A shade of sadness passed over her face. "My mother died some months ago," she replied.

      "I am sorry. I know what it is to have a good mother," sympathized Morgan. Then he inquired, "Perhaps your father heard the disturbance?"

      "Oh no," she replied. "My father is away."

      "He travels?"

      "Yes; my father is a salesman."

      "For some Chicago house, I suppose."

      "No; for a business house in St. Louis. We formerly lived there."

      "St. Louis is a pleasant city," commented Morgan. "Still, many people prefer Chicago."

      "Oh, I think I should prefer to live in St. Louis, because I have a few friends there," she said. "But I am studying music, and СКАЧАТЬ