Arizona republican., 1898-01-22
From Clue to Climax.
By Will N. Harben.
Continued From Yesterday.)
 CHAPTER III.

showed them into StrOng'S room. Whidby went into the bedroom above, closed the door, threw himself on a lounge. and shut his eyes. In a few min utes he began to feel less nervous. A restfuI sensation stole over him, and he felt sleepy. Suddenly his mind re- verted to what seemed vague dream of the night before. Was it dream, or could it have been reality? He sprang up, quiyering all over with excitement, but the more he thought of it the more the memory evaded him, till in despera- tlon he sat down on the lounge and buried his face in his hands. Just then he heard q step in the hall, and some one rapped. on his door.
 He rose and went to the door. Itwas Matthew's
 Col. Warrenton is dowstairs. sir. and wants to see you.''
 Send him up here," said Whidby. q ,.on,t care to go down.
 In amonent Col. Warrenton entered He was short, middle-aged man, with red face and iron-gray hair. He put his silk hat on a table and gave Whidby his hand.
 ''I was dumfounded by the news," he said. I've are such good friends that l waived all ceremony and came right round."
 m glad you did, old man" returned Wnidby. ''Sit down, and excuse me if I am not entertaining. The truth is, am badly broken up over this affair. Something is wrong with me; am not myself at all.''
 The visitors glance wandered aim 1essly about the room in the silence that followed Whidby's remark. Then the colonel said:
 A You need not tell me anything. I lave heard all about it from Capt. GIsh. He and I have been intimate
 nds for years. You have not asked
 my advice, but, I love you like a
 her, and don't want to see you run
 lr head into trouble for the lack of
 Ser's opinion.''
 Vhy do 1 need legal advice?" asked Edby. nervously. ''In what way? l bE't understand"
 The lawyer drew his chair nearer to the young man, who was seated on the lounge, and laid his hand on his knee. s-Of course it is absurd to think of your being concerned in Strong's death, Alfred" he began; but I am obliged, through the force of habit, to look at such affairs from professional stand point I know you are innocent; but innocent men have been hanged before this, and I have seen men put on trial for. murder with less circumstantial evidence against them than there is against you"
 Whidby brushed back his disheveled hair with quivering hand, and stared at his friend.
 You mean that I may yet be ac- cused?'S
 "It all depends on Hendricks" the colonel interrupted. He is the bright est man in his line in the world If he gets on the track of the real criminal, you are all right, and not soul will accuse you; but if his investigations should be confined to this house it might grow very unpleasant for you. It struck me that this view of the case might not occur to you, ard that is the reason I an Icre- You see, it is well that I came of my own accord, for ii you had sent for me it might have an ugly look"
 The young man rose and began to walk to and fro across the room. 'I am very much obliged he sighed. "I never dreamed of being suspected. Mat thews said that after I left the room during the inquest something was brcEvht ap about the blood stain on my hand and uncIe's will; but that did not trouble me-" Cot. Warrcnton's glance followed his friends form back and forth for mo- nient; then he said:
 ~oardon me, my bcy, but do you real Iy know if you got the blood on your hand from the sheet, or from the DOT t;ere2 Is your memory clear on that point?"
 '.No; I did not notice it till I started to wash my hands In fact, the detec tive called my attention to it. 1 must have been very much excited, or would hate noticed a thing like that; but, olt ai:l my head is in such a whirl tha1 I dc not know what l am saying. ov 5.tpt, and feel as if 1 had beer al .ed. Besides" Whidby stopped at .c colonel's side and put his hand or his stoulder-"besides to tell the truth SC ming has come into my mind sine 1 been in this rooIn--somethirg Gii4 s.ot remember at the inquest. Per ha : ought to tell the police about it Size I did not think of it when test fy =. As I was lying down just be for you came up. something fasAe' in v mind like dream. IseemeG t rev..-i walking about my room and be ira half walked by stumbling over ci,air near my bed. I caught the chai to ady myself, and half remembe tls. ny shirt, which had thrown ol th air when I went to bed. fell on th dc3- It seems to me that picked U til -.irt and replaced it. and then wen bae-; TO bed. 1 know the shirt was O.