The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-05-17

request, TO be within call, her old
nurse asleep upon tho rug. You may
believe this or not, Mr.. Holbin. but
take my suggestion, and II 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. am not
accustomed to offer proof of my
statements, but 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. IL evidently
springs from an overheated imagina-
ton. Blood there 10 none; and, for
the hair, you will find that In all good
plaster. But to conclude the matter,
Mr.. Holbln: IL bullet had taken a
piece Of my scalp into the wall, the
wound would not have healed within
two days, and IL you will examine
my head carefully you will find that
none of the scalp Is missing" The
doctor lowered HIS head and moved it
aocommodatingly from eide to side.
Have you any suspicion as to the
name of the woman who fred this
shot-et your" asked Holbin, sarcas-
tically.
"a very strong suspicion; with me
1t amounts now to certainty. She
is a 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 Holbins aston
ishment was genuine.
"I 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 wom-
an who fred that shot was your
motheri" Holbin's first impulse was
to denounce the doctor, as social
duty, and take the chances of 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 n 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
daRed. The mans back was turned
towards the departing guest, and he
saw him but ono instant. DR.. Brodnar
hurriedly closed the door.
This, sir" said Holbin in a rage, "is
infamousi ] demand the name of that
person"
ASK your mother, SIR"
81 shall have satisfaction for this,
DR.. Brodnari shall publish these
factsl" Brodnar looked upon him with
inexpressible contempt. Then a grim
smile came and dwelt upon his lips.
''As l understand it." he said, you
must marry to obtain . fortune. If
you hnd satisfaction In blackening the
name of some woman, indulge yourself
as much as you pleasei but il you value
your life don't venture TO handle the
name Of Frances Brooldn in public. II
have no objection to being shot at by
mistake while discharging the duties
of family physician, I don't see why
you should be rushing around trying
to find Some man who is not a family
physician and who was shot with
malice-aforethought. Take my advice
Mr.. Holbin," and the doctors voice lost
its playful tone; don't turn comedy
into tragedy"
Holbin left the room without a word
more. The physician stood a moment
in deep thought. The smile returned
to his face. poor DEVIL" he said, "his
hands are tied" Notwithstanding this
decision, he Immediately sent a note tc
Frances informing her that Raymond
Holbin had discovered some OF the
facts connected with the tragedy. He
assured her that she had no reason.
for apprehension, and outlined his in.
terview with Holbin.