The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-01-19

where-and the old man, the reputed
challenger, lies dead at his home.
Isn't that ugly?"
Reynolds face grew very grave
"Who last saw Waring, that you
know OFF"
MY man LETTERS left him on Canal
street Just after dark last night He
was then going to dine with friends at
the st. Charles"
THE Allertons?"
Eyes"
Then wait till 1 see the chief, and
I'll go with you Say nothing about
this matter yet"
Reynolds was gone but q moment
A little later Cram and the aid were
at the St. Charles rotunda, their cards
sent up to the Allertons' rooms. Pres
emily down came the bell-boy. Would
the gentlemen walk up to the parlor?
This was awkward They wanted to
see Allerton himself. and Cram felt
morally confident that Miss Flora
Gwendolen would be on hand to well
come and chat with SO distinguished a
looking fellow as Reynolds. There
was no help for it, however. 1t would
be possible to draw off the head of the
family after a brief call upon the
ladies' Just as they were leaving
the marble-foored rotunda, a short,
swarthy man in ''pepper-and-salt"
business suit touched Cram on the
arm. begged word, and handed him a
card.
"A Observation-Disclosures asked Cram,
IN surprise.
Il was with the chief when Lieut..
Pierce came in to report the matter"
was the brief response. ''and l came
here to see your man. He is reluctant
to tell what he knows without your
consent. Could you have him leave
the horses with your orderly below
and come up here a moment?''
why. certainly. if you wish; but
can't see why" said Cram. surprised.
You will see. sir. in a moment"
And then LETTERS. with white.
troubled face. appeared. and twisted
his wet hat-brim in nervous worriment.
Now. what do you want of him."
asked Cram:
ASK him. sir. who was the man who
slipped a greenbac1 into his hand at
the ladies' entrance last evening.
What did he want of hin?''
LETTERS turned a greenish yellow.
His every impulse was to lie.
and the detective saw it.
You need not lie. LETTERS" he said.
very quietly. 1T will do no good. |
saw the men. can tell your master
who one OF them was, and possibly lay
my hands on the second when he is
wanted; but l want you to tell and to
explain what that grcenback meant"
Then Jeffers broke down and merely
blubbered.
Hi meant no arm. sir. Hi never
dreamed there was halything wrong.
Twas Mr.. Lascelles. sir. Z said e
came to thank me for 'elping is lady.
sir. Then e wanted to see Mr.. Narinl1,
sir
Why didn't you tell me of this be-
fore?" demanded the captain. sternly.
You know what happened this morn
ing"
Hi didn't want to ave Mr.. Warink
suspected. sir" was poor Jeffers' half
fearful explanation. as AIr. Allerton
suddenly entered the little hallway
room.
The grave, troubled faces caught his
eye at once.
is anything wrong?" he inquired,
anxiously. Il hope Waring is all right.
1 tried to induce him not to start. but
he said he had promised and must GO"
What time did he leave you, Mr..
Allerton?" asked Cram. controlling as
much as possible the trenor of his
voice.
soon after the storm brole.-about
nine-thirty. should say. He tried to
get a cab earlier, but the drivers
wouldn't agree to go down for any
thing less than a small fortune. Luck
lily. his Creole friends had carriage"
His what?"
His friends from near the barracks.
They were here when we came down
into the rotunda to smoke after
dinner"
Cram felt his legs and feet grow cold
and chill run up his spine.
Who were they? Did you catch
their names?-
Only one. I was introduced as they
were about to drive away. A little old
fellow with elaborate Manners NJ
Lascellesr
And Waring drove away with him?"
Yes. with him and one other.
Seemed to be a friend of Lascelles.
Drove off in a closed carriage with a
driver all done up in rubber and oil
skin, who said he perfectly knew the
road Why. what's gone amiss?''
TO BE CONTINUED
IN ANCIENT DAYS.