Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/249

Rh nance of the Sphinx. But first give me your coat and hat.”

They were dripping with water, and for the first time I heard the rain beating savagely against the windows.

“I happened to be across the street talking with Simmonds,” he said, “and I thought I’d run over and see you a moment.”

“When did you get back from Washington?”

“Just this evening, and I’ve got to put in to-morrow at Boston, worse luck!”

I handed him a cigar and took one myself. I confess that the match with which I lighted it was not wholly steady.

“Come,” said Godfrey, smiling in sympathy with my excitement, “what’s the great discovery? Some news from the house-party?”

“No; I haven’t heard a word from the house-party.”

“What is it, then? Out with it.”

“Godfrey,” I cried, “I’ve found the clippings!” and I plunged my hand into my pocket and drew them forth.

He was out of his seat in an instant.

“The clippings! Not the ones”

“The very ones!” I nodded triumphantly.

“Let me see them; but wait,” and he held himself back. “I confess you surprised me, Lester—I wasn’t expecting such a bomb. This is great luck. Where did you find them?”

I told him of Higgins’s chance remark that had put me on the track, and in the same breath related what Cecily had told me of Tremaine and his encounter with his zombi.