Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-19

OF her toll. The encounter was unfortu-
| nate. and 1t shook my nerves so much that
when I reached the foot of the stairs ana
beheld the door of my office open-thougn
complete collapse.
1t was Amy who had opened the door.
She stood midway across the room. faint
with fear and clinging to a desk for sup
port 1 could scarcely understand what
she said, but her condition was easily ex-
planned. She had entered the small room
and had found the revolver on the moor the
pungent smoke still hanging In the air.
Knowing my despair, she could have had
but one thought. I closed the door and
sprung the lock. Then for few blessed
except that we were In each others arms.
Though it had been in my mind to spare
her. I told the exact truth. l nave never
| done otherwise with her. and doubt that
l could. All that i am or that / know or
feel is hers, and must be always. My story
| was a matter of one minute, and mean
while l opened the windows, wiped and re-
loaded the revolver and replaced all things
as they had been before Harbert's visit.
Some one tapped upon the ass panel with
a cane. l saw mans shadow.
at is Waworth." ] whispered HE Is
the lawyer who does Harbert's dirty work.
He must have been waiting for him below.
| am lost"
| There is another man with him." said
Amy.
at Is Outland, superintendent of the
| building" l exclaimed. '"rhey have heard
| the shots. They will search these rooms
in half minute, and then go up to Os-
wald's. The scrub woman will tell them
| that l was there"
| Amy put both hands upon her forehead
Time is what we need" she moaned.
How can we delay them? I have 1t! Put
me in that closet Lock the door, and take
! the key. They will try to get in. Forbid
them. They will have to get authority.
When the door Is opened I shall be found.
1t will seem you did not wish it known that
| | came here"
II will not let you do that" protested.
"Quck!' she cried. ''They are unlocking
| the door,
| She ran to the closet, and I turned the
key. Instant realization of what l was do
| ing came to me. l opened the door again.
Il can't gain time this way" said l. mot
| for my life"
| She made a gesture of despair. but she
stepped out of the closet just as Outland
| and Walworth entered the larger room.
What does this mean?' l demanded
| Il beg your pardon" said the lawyer. in
| his smoothest tone. as Mr.. Harbert here?''
mol" l answered: " he has been here, but
| has gone away.
at is singular that I did not see him. "
said Walworth; 81 was waiting in the low
err hall"
I made no comment. The two men step
ped into the inner office.
"He could not have gotten out of the
building" Walworth resumed. DO you
know where he went? Into some other
office. Perhaps"
He did not tell me where he was going"
I answered. experiencing a singular gratifl-
| cation on being able to speak the truth.
I sat in my chair by the desk. with the
best affectation of Indifference that / could
command. 1t was a miserable failure, as
I knew by the look that Amy turned upon
me. Walworh's shfty glance ran over me
| like searchlight and flashed TO all parts Of
| the room.
I'VE thought we heard a noise up here"
said SuDerntenlpnt. land Mr.. wal
worth suggested"
He paused.
''Yes?" said I. What did Mr.. walworth
Sueoest?'
THAT the sound was pistol shot" re-
| joined the LAWYER. land that you were an
enemy of Harbert's''
| He had dropped his smooth manner. and
| he seemed to have thoroughly made up his
mind.
You are insane" said I. with 4 weak as
sumption of amer.
II smell powder smoke" he continued
| land there IS blood on the floor"
He pointed to the pace where Harbert's
| head had LAIN Outlpnd stopped down to
| look. while Walworth turned on more cleo
! trio lights. I knew not how to nterpose an
/ objection.
This needs investigation" said the SUI
| perintendent.
Go ahead and investigate" rejoined
| But If you really wish to know what has
! happened 7 VIII tell YOU: nv revolver was
| accidentally discharged, and am wounded"
| I drew back the coat with which had re-
| placed the light and showed the blood
| stains beneath.
"a revolver does not go off twice by ac-
| cident." said Walworth. I'VE heard two
| shots. I am afraid that the first shot was
| better aimed than the second A suicide
| shoots with an unsteady hand"
! So he believed I had killed Harbert. and
had then attempted to escape the cOnse-
| quences. 1t was plausible. ana my blood
| ran cold.
| "Harbert Is certainly not here" continued
| the lawve-. land there is but one place in
! the building where he could have gone II
| this mans story IS true
| ''Mr. Oswald's Office sad Outland.
| Precisely" responded Walworth. HE
did not say he was going there. and I am
reasonably sure that he did not. But we
Will cover that point. And then. Mr.
| Cheever we shall look to you for an ex-
| PLANTATION"
| He walked away, followed by Outland
| Amy and ] looked at each other helplcssly
| I knew that Walworth had no suspicion of
| the truth: he merely recognized the posi-
| bility-which had just occurred to him-.ha {:
| Harbert had gone to see Oswald. perhaps