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Rinehart, Mary Roberts, 1876-1958

"The Circular Staircase"

It was bacon, hardtack and onions, fried
together. They were almost pathetically grateful, however, I
noticed, for an occasional broiled tenderloin.
It was not until Gertrude and Rosie had gone and Sunnyside had
settled down for the night, with Winters at the foot of the
staircase, that Mr. Jamieson broached a subject he had evidently
planned before he came.
"Miss Innes," he said, stopping me as I was about to go to my
room up-stairs, "how are your nerves tonight?"
"I have none," I said happily. "With Halsey found, my troubles
have gone."
"I mean," he persisted, "do you feel as though you could go
through with something rather unusual?"
"The most unusual thing I can think of would be a peaceful
night. But if anything is going to occur, don't dare to let me
miss it."
"Something is going to occur," he said. "And you're the only
woman I can think of that I can take along." He looked at his
watch. "Don't ask me any questions, Miss Innes. Put on heavy
shoes, and some old dark clothes, and make up your mind not to be
surprised at anything."
Liddy was sleeping the sleep of the just when I went up-stairs,
and I hunted out my things cautiously. The detective was waiting
in the hall, and I was astonished to see Doctor Stewart with him.
They were talking confidentially together, but when I came down
they ceased. There were a few preparations to be made: the locks
to be gone over, Winters to be instructed as to renewed
vigilance, and then, after extinguishing the hall light, we
crept, in the darkness, through the front door, and into the
night.


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