The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-04-26
CHAPTER XVI.

When Gielow and Count Bantinni left
the studio on the night the murder was
committed, they .stealthily descended
to the street by means of the dims;
lighted stairway rather than by the eler
yator. =
Gielow started in the direction of the
elevator, but the count grasped his arm
and hastily drew him along Que of the
darkest corridors.
Not that way, fool!" he said between
his teeth. "Do yoli want to expose
yourself to the view of everybody in the
gaslight? You have not a moment to
spare. The police and Hendricks are.
on your track"
mo, not a moment to spare" echoed
the artist in istless, dreamy tone, and
he stopped, leaned against the wall and
looked back towards the studio.
The count caught him roughly by
the arm and shook him violently.
81 tell you the murder has been dis
coveredi" he Kissed in the ear of the
artist.
The murder?" repeated Gielow, "the
murder, you say?"
"Yes, you remember killing Caruth-
ers."
"Yes, I suppose so. 1t seems to me
and yet"
Come on" burst from the lips of the
count. Come on, or you'll be arrested.
If you don't hurry III leave you" ..
Don't do that!" pleaded the artist,
in gentle, submissive voice. And he
took the counts arm as they went down
the stairs. at seems to me that l struck
him at the club, but cant remember"
Come on" again interrupted the
count. "I'll explain it all when you get
to place of safety" ... ...
When they reached the street Gielow
Jagged behind again.
Where are you going?" he asked,
lam sleepy, and-and cold"
The count lost patience, and putting
hand on each of Gielow's shoulders.
be turned him roughly to him.
Look me in the eyes" he com
manded. mo, right in the eyes! There
now. you remember killing Caruthers!"
"Yes, the scoundrel," was the artists
slow reply. YES, killed him.
Then come on, they are after you"
A look of terror spread over Gielow's
visage. He quickened his steps, and to-
gether they turned into dark, un-
frequehted alley. Here a two-horse ca.'-
riage stood in the shadow of high
wall A man wearing a siouch hat,
and long fur ulster, the wide collar
of which hid the back part of his head
and the lower half of bib, face, stood
near the vehicle whipping his body with
his arms to keep warm.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, and then an oath
broke from him.
SSH" hissed the count apologeticalIy.
81 know we were slow, but it couldn't
be avoided"
The man continued TO grumble, and
began to get his reins ready.
Get in; get iu!" said Bantinni to
Gielow, and when the artist had obeyed
he leaned into tie carriage and said
"You are sleepy, There, that's right;
lean back and sleep. Sleep! Sleep!"
He's all right how, and We'll have no
more trouble" the count said, in con-
ciIiatory tone, to the driver.
Did he go through it all right?"
asked the man, with a foreign accent.
Beautifully, beautifully, and we
would have been here before this, but
just after he made the confession lost
control of him for moment and he
got at a decanter of brandy and drank
about pint of it, I cannot do thing
with a subject under the influence of
spirits. But I got him away before it
was too late. We are safe. His sudden
fight and confession will place US be-
yond suspicion"
"The servant may never admit to the ]
police that his master confessed" said
the other, distrustfnlly.
In that event shall testify that the
confession was made in my presence;
then Henri will be obliged to swear tc
what took place or run the risk of be-
ing convicted of perjury"
"Ah, true!" answered the man; "un-
less you become afraid to face the
music, as they say in this country
The count laughed as he climbed into
the carriage,
we must hurry now" he said. when
you know what my next move is, you
will say that no human being on earth
could implicate me-"
"All right" came from the drivers
seat in more satisfied tone. II am
trusting it to you"
AS Bantinni sat down by Gielow, the
latter stirred and muttered something.
sleep, sleep!" commanded the
count, taking the limp hand of the
artist and stroking il with his own.
there, that's right!' And, as Gielow
leaned back in the corner again, the
carriage began to move. The count took
out cigarette, drew down the curtain,
struck a match, and began to smoke,
[To BE coNTINUED.I
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