The Red Cloud chief., 1895-12-20

81 cannot believe that. Tic has not
been a good brother to me, but I cam
not bring myself to look upon him ms
murderer"
Perhaps not. lie may not have
struck the blow that robbed Ezra Will
bur of life, but he knows something
about IL; | would he willing TO stake
my professional reputation upon
that"
'Hut in what way could that note
book be of benefit tn him? lie would
hardly kill u man TO gain possession of
such u thing. you aust be
are on the wrong track"
"As ! said before, there was a record
of interest to Adrian Dyke and Conrad
Gardner in that book. I know what
that record was. Your brother testi-
fled to it at the inquest. lie saw the
book three times. First, when the
Doctor entered the house. lie claims
that upon the top of the page was re-.
corded the facts of the confinement of
Elizabeth Gardner. the sex of the
child. and SO on. The next time he
saw it.. the page was full, the birth and
sex of his own child being written in
the child, a boy"
The man springs to his feet; uttcrs a
wild cry.
"A boy he gasps.
"Ycs. why. does this surprise you?"
The brother falls back in his chair,
his mind distracted 10y the wild
thoughts that had come To him. lie
does not reply to the detectives words.
lie cannot tell this man the story of
his brothers wild speculation, the
story told him that night in the rccep-
tion-room. lie'has been cautioned to
secrecy. has promised.
The detective is watching him Why
this agitation? Why should his words
cause such distress?
Franklin Dyke, tell me-, why are
you so agitated? DO you know some
thing which you are hiding from me?"
The man looks up, his face hard and
set. lie has determined to keep his
secret.
mo, Taker." he says, 81 know moth
ing. except that | am innocent"
Your action was strange"
Nothing more than surprise. l
knew Adrian longed for a on, an heir
to his property"
us that alp" sternly.
'"What else can it bel"
Taker Is not quite satisfied. but he
says no more. He looks at his watch,
u large open-faced timepiecc, and says:
1--WE have not much time to catch
the train. l have given you my ideas
in part. ] have Others which You will
know later IN. Prepare yourself; we
must be- Off"
The words strike like the weight of
II heavy sledge upon the heart of the
man.
"My wife and children!" he says.
"Thcy shall not want: l will sec to
them. 1t is not necessary to tell them
where you are going. Just say you
were going out of the city and will re-
turn in n few weeks. The papers IA
be kept from her."
.'She cannot read, thank God"
"Ah, so much the better. She may
hear of il, from the stores where she
deals. But l shall try to guard against
that. We can stop in at the different
places, and order provisions sent her.
Even if she should hear of it, l shall
say that it is not likely, n misprint,
typographical error, or something OF
the kind. ! shall make IL my business
to look out fer this. Go, bid them
farewell and hurry"
detective.
There are tcarsoin his eyes. 'God
bless you, Taker." he "You
are a true friend"
''Ah, that's all right. Don't mention
it, only hurry up"
The parting is o over The wife
is surprised at her husbands sudden
departure, but feels that 1t is for the
best that he should go, il by SO doing
he can improve his condition. She is
glad that the dealers in provisions will
deliver the requirements of the family.
She is a shy little woman and prefers
to keep to herself. So he kisses her
fondly, embraces the children, and fol-
lows Taker out of the house. They
barely catch the train.
That night Franklin Dyke sleeps in
theWcst Chester Jail. Takcr returns
to Philadelphia.