The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-06-01


was silent; but the look he gave his
visitor was so passionately threaten
ing that Holbin paused.
go onl" again the command was
little more than a whisper.
There Is but one thing more: upon
the table found this cigar, laid aside
without having been lit"
Have you finished?" Holbin looked
up, uneasy and surprised
Eyes"
"Now what would you have of me?"
IL wish you to find out for me the
name of the man who was In that
room"
Il will get you his name upon one
condition"
"And that is?"
"rhat you viii 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
Il do not know Of any woman in
the case" he said
81 know that you do"
'Dr Hrodnar!"
llolbin sprang 10 his feet with we'll
affected rage. The doctor continued:
"Only a woman's tracks marked
the soil under that window at dawn
the morning after that shot was fired
When ] 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
bland smile spread over his face.
"The fact is" he said, 1.-THE shot was
fred at me. Does that surprise you ?"
Holbin's face showed that il did. "The
final attack Of which Mr.. Brookin
died." continued the doctor, was mo-
mentarily expected. spent the night
sitting in the poor girls room at her
request, 10 be within call, her old
nurse asleep upon the rug. You may
believe this or not, Mr.. Holbn. 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. 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 plasterng, 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 20 conclude the matter,
Mr. Holbin: II n bullet had taken a
piece Of my scalp into the wall, the
wound would not have healed within
two days, and II you will examine
my head carefully you will find that
none of the scalp is missing" The
doctor lowered his head and moved it
accommodating from side TO side.
"Haye you any suspicion as TO the
name OF the woman who fired this
shot-at yon?'' asked Holbin, sarcas-
tically.
~ very strong suspicion; with me
| IL amounts now 20 a certainty. She
Is woman who dwells in the Brookin
|
how the devil did she get up 10 the
Window" This time Holbin's aston
ishment was genuine.
81 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 20 be misun-
derstood in the matter, permit me to
explain that in my opinion the wom-
an who fired that shot was your
motherl" Holbin's first impulse was
20 denounce the doctor, as a 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 a sense not 70 be
taken as earnest, but TO be construed
as a refusal 10 explain the mystery.
! AZ this moment, when IIolbin was
taking up his hat and cane To depart,
the Doctors assistant within the pri-
vate room threw the door wide open,
and IIolbin 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 DIR. Brodnar
hurriedly closed the door.
"This, sir" said uolbin in a rage, SIS
infamousl l demand the name of that
person"
ASK your mother, sir"
al shall have satisfaction for this,
DR.. Brodnar! | shall publish these
factsl" Brodnar looked upon him with
inexpressible contempt. Then O grim
smile came and dwelt upon his lips.
AS I understand IT," he said, you
must marry 10 obtain a fortune. II
you find satisfaction in blackening The
name OF some woman. indulge yourself
as much as you please; but II you value
your life don't venture 90 handle the
name OF Frances Brookin in public. IA
/ have no objection 20 being shot az by
4 ...ltI. .Ttlaharrlfutw tho Ft4ff4.