Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-07-22
CHAPTER Nj.

race. Il mnncy-loving Irishman.
1t wis the flaw in 1, very shrewd, far
seeing intellect. but as yet indulgence had
not developed it To that degree of intcn-
sity which dulls perception in other di-
rcctionS. \ few tastes still remained to
dillon not quite dwarfed by the master
passion. among them Il certain pleasure
in his OWN kccnncss and such creature
comforts as good food and drink.
The circumstances of Mrs. Callander's
death exercised him II good deal.
He would have lecn rather disguised
To think that his task offered no greater
difficulty than tracing a common seaman,
Il mere vulgar thief. For his own credit
sake lie hoped and expected TO find Il far
deeper. Suhtlcr motive below the apparent
simplicity of the crime.
III he could find the sailor, the supposed
murderer. and prove him guilty, we'll and
good. lie would get IL thousand pounds.
If he could find Il more highly placed
assassin So much the hettcr-hc should
uncarth some disgraccful secret which it
wouli 'c of the last Importance to con-
ccal. even mt the price of immunity to the
murderer. This would mean IL heavy
bril,e to insure his own silence. Two
Thousand instead of onc-ay, more-witll
the possibility of retaining fees for many
IL year to come. With this idea Dillon
applied all the force of his keen. and in
some ways imaginative. mind first to i'll
vent probabilities. and then 10 seek proof
of them. for liz had often discovered very
unexpected proof while following the
scent of IL false theory.
Given IL beautiful young woman, sepa-
ratea'ny many IL league from Il husband
considerably older than herself, what
more likely than IL lover? and given a low
Ell, the amount of guilt and cruelty, de-
ceit and trracicry, depended on the
strength of passion, the difficulties and
provocations of the position. ''Iliere must
be Il contidantc somewhere" unused the
detective as he strolled along the COM
MOI the day after the funeral. II wish
/ could find hcr-if it is IL .hcr'-I wish |
could get Il word with that Mr.. Egerton."
AT this point i'll his meditations Dillon
came upon Il gentleman who was walking
slowly along the beach, and had crossed
from the waters edge as if to mount
some steps that led to the low emban!i-
mcnt.
Dillon recognized Egerton. and waited
till lie came near. beg your pardon,
SIR he said. dcfcrentially touching his
hat. II wanted Il word or two with you."
WHO are you?' asked Egerton, haugl-
tily.
MY name is Dillon. and 1 am in the
employment of MIR. Standish mt present."
! AM !Ae detective" with a tinge of
contempt in his tone. care you sent from
Scotland Yardy'
"No. sir. l am not in I'M service except
that of the person who engages me tenn
porarily. am free to do as my employ
cr directs: to press OH to full discovery
or 10 hold my hand"
What do YOU want with me?"
It'd make bold to ask you IL question
or two. ii l may. sir"
60 on. We can walk while I speak.
What is it?"
They tell me YOU spoke to these men,
the sailors who are suspected of the MUIR
der. Now. I'D like to know what your
opinion is"
II have none. They may have lone it,
but there are base scoundrels of every
nation who'd stab their mothers for gold
and Jewels"
May he so. but not their swecthearts.
SIR"
What do you mean?" cried Egerton,
his eyes lighting mp angrily. while IA deep
flush passed over his face. so deadly
white before. "Do you think this tragedy
Il fit subject for vulgar ~jcsts?"
%"llcavcn forbid. SIR" %gravcly. but
You see rough men like me are not accus-
toned 10 touch things %gingcrly as gentle
folks do. Nou see it's rather hard to hunt
up mcn that may he innocent. and waste
Il lot of time mud money into the bargain
without looking round IL bit for any other
possible party
II think it is all wasted timc.' sale
Esoiion. lassionately. well never catcl
Tie real murderer. though I'D give all
possess To stand by and see him die incl
hH inch. under The grasp of ii to.turcr
but | don't want you or any like you IL
handle and disscct the simple details of {:
life likc--rlierc.' stopping himself. 81
ann tolerably sure some bloodthirsty THE,
STEELE in and silcnced her forever, som,
wretch who will assuredly meet his nun
ishmcMt sooner or later. who is pcrlap
That is all l think about it! If yo,
want money to prosecute your search
come 10 mc-tlicre. take that and let Ill
80. i don't want to speak to you again
He took out his purse and put five or ST
sovcrcisns in Dillon's ready hand, the
With IL gesture OF INFINITE nbhOrrcnc
turned from him and walked rapidly i
the direction of the pier.
"Oh! I'm too dirty to be touched, a,
1?' muttcrcd the detective, looking afte
linn with IN unpleasant grin. IAN til
filter TO take the filthy lucre.'" DRAWN
IL small leather bag from his pocket, Ii
put the sovereigns into it: carefully twis
ing the string round it lie placed the In
in his breast pocket, and. %Quickening Ii
pace, directed his steps to The Knoll.
"Thcrc is something wrong with 20,
my fine gentleman" he unused. "a man
not always 80 wild with grief about Ii
friends wife. unless-hc's not the sort
man though to stick IL knife in a woma
unless lie was riled to that extern
Faith, jealousy and revenge have brougl
finer gentlemen than you into ugly place
Now let's see what is to be done with IL
other one"
Dorothy had forced herself to sit dow
stairs in the drawing room that mornir
to answer some of the many letters whit
had poured in uFon her since h drea
rV - H.. 49,. L-l IoDn lnSnps1x