Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-01-30
"But have you no knowledge or sus-

D y AAAt a."
I did not see her when she left. But
as there seems no other way of her
getting out of the room, it stands to
reason that that policeman as kept the
passage-door must have let her out
The ma gistrate and the doctor look
ed at each other in perplexity. They
had full faith in the policeman; they
had no faith whatever in Tabitha, II
yet the evidence was certainly against
the policeman, and in favor or Ia
bitha. She saw this, and followed up
her advantage by saying yaliantly:
There, gentlemen, l have told you
the truth. / can't tell you any more
than that. Now you may do your
worst to me, for here / stand ready 70
be a martyr to the truth"
The doctor and the magistrate still
continued to look into each others
faces for counsel.
Why don't you make. the policeman
confess? Don't you see that there was
no other way for Miss Leaton to es-
cape but through the door that he
guarded, for the dressing room guard
ed by the other policemankas no out
let, and the window shutters were all
barred and padlocked by the doctor,
who took away the keys with him?
And even If he had not done so, the
windows are full sixty feet from the
ground, and even if she had attempt
ed TO jump from either of them, she
must have broken her neck. But she
could no even have attempted it. since
the windows were found as they were
left, securely fastened. And therefore,
your worship, is it not perfectly clear
as my mistress must have left the
room through the door guarded by that
pelice?" concluded Tabitha, pointing
vindictiveiy at the innocent but dis
comtitted officer.
'Sims, this looks very badly for
YOU" said the magistrate.
Il know 1t do, your worship: but |
hope my characters above suspicion
II believe it to be, Sims, and / do
not myself suspect you"
In fact, both the magistrate and the
doctor strongly suspected Tabitha. but
as the evidence was certainly not
against her. they could do nothing in
the premises.
They left the chamber and went
down into the crimson drawing room,
which had been the scene OF SD many
of the Investigations, to consult with
the others upon the best means of
searching for and r~ecapturing fac fu-
gitive.
They remained long in consultation
before it occurred to them to summon
one who might he supposed to take the
deepest interest in the matter. Then
Mr., Humphreys said:
Had not Mr.. MOntrose better be re-
quested to give us his company and
counsel in this affair."
"Ccrtainly.' replied Doctor Watkins,
ringing the bell.
GIVE my respects to Mr.. M~ontrose.
and say that we should be pleased to
see him here" said the doctor to the
foOtman who answered the bell.
The servant withdrew, but presently
returned with the news.
MFR. Montrose has not yet risen. sir
Lazy fellow, and it is nearly II
o'clock" said the doctor, dismissing
that matter from his mind and resum-
ing the business with the magistrates.
The form of Il placard was drawn
up, offering a reward for the apprehen-
sion Of Eudora Leaton. and this was
ordered to be Immediately printed and
posted all over the country. The police
We're sent out in every direction to
prosecute the search; and when these
measures for the apprehension of the
fugitive had been taken, the doctor or
dered in breakfast. and sat down with
the magistrate and solicitor to par
take OF it. And while they were thus
engaged Malcolm Montrose, who had
returned home unobserved, quietly en-
tered the dining room and babe them
good morning.
'Oh, you are up ut last" said the
doctor.
Il had a very bad nights rest; that
must be my apology FOR a very late
appearance said Malcolm, drawing
his chair to the table.
And have you heard since you came
down that The prisoner has e/capedE"
Yes, so my servant informed me;
but she cannot have gone far"
why, no; and as the prnmptest
measures have been taken for her ap-
~prehension. we hope soon TO have her
safely lodged IL Jail. But the great
mystery is the manner Of her escape.
She must have vanished up the Chin
ney. I.suspect Tabs Of knowing more
about 1t than she is willing TO tell: but
then there is no evidence against her.
and she insists that her mistress must
have been spirited away by the DO
liccman on gCand while she. Tabs,
slept. And. in fact. il we were not as
sured of the fidelity OF Sims, this
would seem the most likely solution
OF the mystery"
II should think IL would seem the
only one" said Malcolm. secretly
thanking heaven that Tabitha had
proved game" ana that tine niafiHeT
CT ErlOra's escape was as yet I'M
Known and unsupported.
The remainder Of the day was
passed In a fruitless search for
the fugitive. ~ whom several traces
We're supposed TO have been found.
one policeman brought back the re-
port that a young lady in deep mourn
ing had taken the night train at Pool
vile for Edinburgh. Another that a
young person answering To- the de-
scription Of Eudora Leaton had been
seen 10 get into the ~cross-country stage
coach going TO ~Sherburne. A third
brought the intelligence that a young
woman In black had been seen 10 90
on board q vessel bound for Abbey
Fort. n small sea, cast village six mites
from Allworth. TO Arrach, ON the north
coast OF Ireland.
Policemen, armed with warrants.
We're sent Off In all these directions.
while the route Of the fugitive re.
manned undiscovered.
Late that night Lieut.. Norham Mon
trose. the younger brother Of MALCOLM,