Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-03-19


A rap on the door brought him out
@Ah, Doctor, is it you?" he asked,
while his grim face lighted up
He ushered me into his @den-s 1t was
really the first time I had ever been
within the sanctum, and I must confess
that looked around me with great
! deal Of interest.
The room was a regular old bachelors
| apartment Besides this, it had an in
terest for me on account of the many
queer trophies hung upon the walls
things that were doubtless connected
with all the greatest criminal cases for
many years past in which Mr. Keteham
| had figured prominently.
1 looked around me for a short time,
and then coming TO my senses, realized
/ that Mr.. Ketcham was watching me-
~NOw, Doctor, what do you come
after?"
Il have been uneasy, sir, with regard
to LeOnOre. Tell me, have you made
out the case any worse against her?"
He smiled peculiarly.
@YOur interest in her is psrdonable,
| Doctor. really hope you will not be
disappointed in your expectations. I
have discovered certain new things, but
cannot say that they settle the case"
81 am glad to hear that"
| Meantime, how is it with your"
%What do yOu mean Mr.. Ketcham?"
/
allow do you know that?"
~Perhaps 1 guessed at it from your
manner, or, to get nearer the truth, I
| have run across your trail several times"
l saw that there was no use trying TO
keep anything back from this man. For
] the first time the thought came into my
/ head that perhaps he would be able TO
return my Roland with an OliYer-that
he already knew much more than IwOuld
be able to tell him.
at any rate he would have to give me
/ credit for my discoveries.
So 1 began the story. Nothing was
withheld, from the time 1 had left him
up TO my meeting with Theodore.
The old detective evidently enjoyed
| the story. He lay back in his chair,
! with his eyes fastened upon me. Now
and then, at some interesting part of my
story, his face would light up and per-
haps he would put a few questions to
me
His interest was greatest, however,
when told how had succeeded in find
ing Theodore, and the manner in which
1 sent the question home to him
Then Mr.. Ketcham leaned forward in
his chair and seemed TO hold his breath.
l could feel rather than see his eyes
fixed intently upon me.
AS revealed TheOdOre's secret he
| chuckled as though greatly ticlzled.
~GOOd, Doctor; l commend your skill
at running a trail, " he said.
finished, at length, and told him why
I had sought him out
what you have given 10 me, Doctor,
| is not all news, and yet there have been
some points in it of great value. Again
| allow me TO commend your qualities in
the detective line. You have met with
astonishing success
I bowed.
@Praise from Sir Hubert is praise in
decd
a suppose what you want now is my
opinion on your discOveries?"
~Yes, in part I would not object to
hearing what you have done in that line
yourself, Mr.. Ketcham.
He smiled at my words
%YOur enthusiasm in this case certainly
entities you TO every consideration, Doe
tor, and at my hands you shall certainly
| receive it,"
waited for him to speak further, but
it was some time ere he did so. Perhaps
he was bordering over the matter.
Nov, Doctor, listen to me. In one
way it seems as though this young man
may have been guilty of the crime, and
yet I am inclined to believe he speaks
the truth in the matter.
AT the same time he is morally Ger
tain that when he looked into that room
he saw something that alarmed him.
"You see that he refuses to tell what
it was he saw. 1 judge that he is not the
man to take much care of his own life,
| but 4 secret involving one he loves would
never be torn from him.
snow, the great question is: what did
he see that troubles him so intensely,
and which, he says, the rack could not
tear from his lips?
"Let me tell you.
ale looked upon LeonOre, the girl he
/ - =
father and sending the blade home TO his
heart.
THAT was the sight which froze the
blood in his veins and made his heart
stand still. No wonder he hardly knew
what he did after that, and went back
and forth between the wall and the
house.
Think of it-he saw the girl he loved
murder his father! No wonder, then, he
declares that he is dumb. Sooner than
tell the truth, and have LeOnOre con-
victed by his testimony, he would take
the crime upon his own shoulders That
is the kind of man he is.
~You have seen him, Mr.. Ketcham?" ]
said, suddenly.
"Yes, have seen him, but without
knowing positively who he was"
~You don't think he will give us the
slip?"
mo danger Of his running away, as
| long as she seems in danger"
$50 I believed. Now, how much stock
do you take in this theory of yours, Mr.
Ketcham?"
He looked at me and laughed outright.
"COme, Doctor, you read me too well.
Haven't L convinced you that believe ]
have been on the true trail all alOng?"
mo, sir, you have not You persist
in following it, and at the same time
cast out feelers in other directions.
believe you have other irons in the fire.
There is no use trying to dodge you
1 see, Doctor. Question me if you will.
First of all, 1 would like to know II
you really believe Theodore saw the CIR
in the act of killing his father?"
Honestly then, 1 do not He could
not have kept from leapng into the
room and either endeavoring to stay hel
and he swears he has never been in thai
ROOM
That was one point gained returned
to the attack.
HWhat do you suppose his.Object was
in climbing the vines?"
THAT is a mystery. 1 see two reasons
that might have induced him to act in
that way. 1t may be he was bound Il
see his father, and force proofs upon
him that would show how unjust the
old physician had been ali along. Then
again, perhaps he thought he was climb
ing to the room of LeOnore. and that
she would be at the window Waitin fol-
| him."
THAT is a queer idea"
GNot so queer as you think. Look Al
this piece OF paper. found n in the
| grounds, where IL had been lost"