Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-10-31
CHAPTER XXVI.
Claricc Triumphant.

Hantlin, the detective, was not the
only one who had observed the change
in Clarice.
Brian Mowbray, her father, had been
the first to note it; and, remembering
how he had left her at their last inter
view, he marveled greatly, and could by
no means understand 1t.
"Can she have heard anything" he
asked himself. could hat French
hussy by chance have had n know
ledge of the true criminal? But, psnaw!
I am growing fanciful-and that is quite
impossible!"
But, all the same, Mr.. Mowbray took
| occasion to make special inquiries in the
household, and he questioned Susan,
particularly.
From her he learned that the French
maid mac left under suspicious circum-
stances. and that Mrs. Grayscn seemed
very angry with her and had sent for
the detective.
This both surorised and alarmed hira,
for he was well aware that Leonce was
a favorite with his daughter, and the
sending for Hantlin disturbed him ex-
| ceedingly.
Doubtless I am making a mountain
out of a molehill," he told himself, but
i will watch even more closely, If posi-
Bile. Clare's insane infatuation for that
fellow, Austin will spur her on to some
extraordinary effort to prove his inno-
cence. l must be ready to quench her
ardor in thai direction with new and
mere formidable proofs of his guilt"
With this end in view, he scarcely
left the house for his daily walk or
drive, and though he spent most of the
time In the library or in the suite of
apartments he had chosen for his own
use, he managed to make himself IA
miliar with every detail of the bust
ness passing around him.
He paid Susan well, and he felt salts
fed with the manner in which she
earned her reward. for she kept him in
formed OF the smallest items of inter-
est, while h received Mrs. Martins
donations with the other hand.
On the arrival of the detective, Now
bray was Immediately informed OF the
circumstance by his spy-as soon as she
a closed the from door on the re-
trtating figure of her other client.
But the low, suppressed tone in which
Clarice had conducted her conversation
with Hantlin prevented him from gain
ing anything by his effort at listening,
Susan must be right" lie thought.
The Frenchwoman has been guilty of
a robbery, no doubt, and Glare is con-
sulting h detective about it,
But this explanation failed TO satisfy
him, n he lowered about the hall and
stairway during the whole time OF the
interview between his daughter and the
detective.
When Clarica came out, her radiant
face made him still more uneasy. and
when she brushed past him without q
word. toward her own sitting room. on
the next floor, he followed her. and
knocked, somewhat timidly. at tbe door
The knock was rot responded TO and
he was obliged to repeat 1t more than
once before h voice OF his daughter
bade him enter.
Pray, excuse me, father" said Clar-
Ice, when at last he had pusbed onar
the door. II have many things to think
OF, and would prefer TO be alone"
TO dream remorses about yo,,r lou.
err" said Mr.. Mowbray, provoked 70 he
sarcastic by her manner
least you can grudpa ma e..
pleasure" returned Clarice. coollv ana
meeting his sneering glance with hoy
of triumph.