The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-04-25
CHAPTER =VII-Continued.

| Att1e "ofe IMAM a whisper.
There is but one thing more: upon
the table I found this cigar, laid aside
without having been it.'
''Have you finished?" Holbin looked
up, uneasy and surprised.
eyes" ---@- :
"Now what would you have of me-?
II wish you to find out for me, the
name of the man who was in that
room" .. -..~.-.-~
II will get you his name upon one
condition."
"And that is?''
"That you will tell me the name
of the woman who fired the shot,
-Holbin could not, try as he might
conceal the start these words pro:
voked
II do not know of any woman in
the case," he said.
II know that you do"
'Dr. Brodnar!" r..
Holbin sprang to his feet with well.
affected rage. The doctor continued:
"Only woman's tracks marked
the soil under that window at dawn
the morning after that shot was fired.
When I next saw the spot the tracks
had been carefully obliterated." Brod-
mar was still standing and spoke rap
idly, as though he feared that he
could not restrain himself. Suddenly
a bland smile spread over his face.
THE fact is he said, "the shot was
fired at me. Does that surprise you p
Holbin's face showed that it did. 1.-THE
| final attack of which Mr.. Brookin
died." continued the doctor, twas mo-
mentarily expected. spent>the night
sitting in the poor girls room at her
request, to be within call, her old
nurse asleep upon the rug. You may
| believe this OR not, Mr.. Holbin, but
take my suggestion, and if you doubt
the explanation conceal your frame
of mind. BY the way, lift the lid
OF the box there on my table; now
compare the cigar that you found
with those in the box. You perceive
that they are exactly alike. I am not
accustomed to offer proof of my
statements, but I make an exception
in your favor, as you are almost a
stranger. AS for the pretty theory
of the pistol-ball carrying blood and
hair into the plastering, it evidently
| springs from an overheated magma
ton. Blood there is none; and, for
the hair, you will find that in all good
plaster. But to conclude the matter,
Mr.. Holbin: if bullet had taken a
piece of my scalp into the wall, the
wound would not have healed within
two days, and if you will examine
my head carefully you will find that
none of the scalp is missing" The
doctor lowered his head and moved it
accommodatingly from side to side.
Have you any suspicion as to the
name of the woman who fired this
shot-at you?" asked Holbin, sarcas-
tically.
"A very strong suspicion; with me
1t amounts now to a certainty. She
is woman who dwells in the Brookin
house, and the only mystery left is
how the devil did she get up to the
Window" This time Holbin:s aston
ishment was genuine.
Il do not understand"
'She is a woman whose plans might
have been defeated had the man who
was dimly seen in that room been any
other than myself. Not to be misun.
derstood in the matter, permit me to
explain that in my opinion the WON
an who fred that shot was your
mother!" Holbin's first impulse was
to denounce the doctor, as social
duty, and take the chances of a per
sonal encounter, but the value of the
honest error into which Brodnar had
fallen flashed upon him. He affected
to understand that the doctor was
making the statement as to himself
and Mrs. Brookin in sense not to be
taken as earnest, but to be construed
As refusal to explain the mystery
At this moment, when Holbin was
taking up his hat and cane to depart
the doctors assistant within the pri.
vate room threw the door wide open,
and Holbin discovered a man propped
in an armchair with his head ban.
daged. The mans back was turned
towards the departing guest, and he
saw him but one instant. Dr. Brodnar
hurriedly closed the door,
'This,- SIR" said Holbin in rage, sis
Infamous! I demand The name of that
person" ~ H.
"Ask your mother, SIR -.z>-- ~
II shall have satisfaction for this
DR.. Brodnar! I shall publish these
faets!" Brodnar looked upon him with
inexpressible contempt. Then grim
smile came and dwelt upon his Lips.
Gas I understand it, he said, "you
must marry to obtain a fortune. II
you find satisfaction in blackening the
name of some woman, indulge yourself
as much as you please; but if you value
your lifezdon't venture to, handle the
name Of Frances Brookin in public. II
/ have no objection to being shot at by
mistake while discharging the dutie.
of family physician, / don't see why
you should be rushing around trying
to find; some man who is not family
! physician and who was, shot with