Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1899-02-03
lCOntinueu from last week.
CHAPTER VIII

kR. KE!GHLlsY GATES SPEAKS OF DURANT.
was now 1T a complete standstill in
my Investigations, and in sober truth
did nor know which way to move next.
Su!Hnt|:irg. however, had to be done,
ana tat at once.
In NY despair went again through
the ts ence that was brought against
E,ur;," at the police court trial and ran
over Inc witnesses who would appear
for TIC crown. and for the hundredth
time tried to find some flaw in the
chain ii damning evidence that would
b. adv ,..:eti. Suddenly thought struck
me. This man. Keighley Gates, owing
to wkyse casual talk at the Hotel Metro.
pole suspicion had fallen upon George,
surely lie might be of use to US. had
heard OF the man, but had not met him.
He was great traveller, remembered.
Might he not have ~1n up against Du-
rant ia his wanderings? Even if he had
not met him he might have heard Of
him, or at any rate, be able to give US
some ciow il OFF, search There was just
the Dd:l chance that he might be able to
hei y US. ;su:i could not afford to disre.
gard IT,
It uopeur:"! that Mr. Gates lived at
the A,i;icrO!p. and as soon as | obtained
this lhfnrmaiit1n | went there in quest
of hinl AS lack had it, Mr. Gates was
in TIM ;,.ttl when ca.is:u AMI / was
shUwn up t. Liz room.
Az e'r. Gates Was not & permanent
resident tt:r1" | was somewhat struck
with the luxurious way in which his
sitting room was furnished. There was
q total absence Of the usual hotel furni
turo, and III its place was variety of
articles that bespoke the catholic taste
of the owner There were easy chairs
and lounges, covered with eastern rugs
and silks and curtains of soft Indian
texture On the walls was display of
curious and fantastic weapons-Damas-
GUS sv ords Moorish daggers and genu.
inc Andrea Ferrara There were a few
etchjngs, and on the mantelpiece a
GUS cabinets was arranged good]y show
of Bohemian and Viennese glass. My
eyes took all this in as entered, but my
chief attention was, of course, conferred
III Mi. Gates himself. He was a thin,
wiry man Of middle height, and ones
first impression of him was of an eye
glass and row Of yellow jagged teeth.
4 second later one noted that he had
pair Of keen, piercing eyes and thi n
very thin-lips. For the rest he was
square jawed and clean shaven. His
hair was becoming scanty over bis
brow, and his nose was slightly colored
Mr. Gates was writing when the
waiter announced me. The keen eyes
looked inquiringly-I had almost said
distrustfully- me.
The waiter had bungled my name, go
| FASTENED to explain who was.
Ny name is Brett-Duncan Brett.
You may possibly remember my name
in connection with poor Fenton's case "
"Yos, Captain Brett, =" he said slowly.
II remember your name. Pray take q
chair. This one, think, is passably
comfortable. Will you have cigarette?
can recommend these. import them
myself from Alexandria.
Mr.. Gates carefully closed up his
writing case and seated himself negli-
gently in an easy chair opposite me.
And how is George bearing up?" be
went on. 1T is terrible position for
him to be placed in. That un]ncky
speech ct mine has caused me endless
res,et. Bus how could l know what
was so ng to ocCur:''
''Oh, quite so. don't see That any
blame attaches to you, Mr.. Gates. In
the very wcrst case you only accelerated
events us Georges arrest would inevita-
bly, have followed He is bearing up as
well as we could expect, but, of course,
he feels his position acutely, and at the
present moment things look very black
against him. I hope that if you can help
us at all in the defense you will do so. :"
III can be Of the slightest use, you
may be certain of my services. he re-
piled. "But am afraid don't see in
what way shall be able to assist you. >
swell, will tell you, Mr.. Gates.
You see wo are firmly convinced Of
Georges innocence, but perhaps ought
first to tell you am engaged to his sis-
tier, which will account for tho interest
| am taking in the case. -
II believe / heard that" Gates re-
piled. r.: =
VERY we'll. We are, as l was saying,
firmly convinced of our friend g innjo-
.cence, although the facts look very
black. A few days ago l should have
said the defense was hopeless. but since
the Identification of the murdered won.
an as the Duke of Lundy's daughter
OF which, OF ccurse, you have heard
think there is q glimmer of daylight for
MS $3.50 -. =:
We'll, Captain Brett, ! am listen:
ing said Gates, as | made pause.
II will be absolutely frank with you,
Mr Gates continued, for think
you may be able to help us, since you
nave travelled great deal and have con-
seqnently rubbed up against innumer-
able people in all quarters of. the globe.
We are at present trying to trace Lady
FLORENCE Mostyn's life from the day she
left her ather'sf house, and il has been
;euggestea that one55ind{vid dual il particn.
lar might shed a5light on her m sterious
sAp TS9I t<NfN