Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-10-24
CHAPTER XXIy.
Bertha's

Bertha's Despair.
It was just the answer Hantlin had
expected, yet he was none the less dis
appointed. But not the CULVER Of an
eyelash displayed his feelings. With
weIl-affected carelessness, he said:
I'm sorry to have missed him. l
had business with the gentleman, even
more important to him than TO me.
But perhaps you can give me some in
formation tina will enable me to find
him."
We'll, no: sorry I can't oblige you
returned the clerk, in a confidential
tone. Fact is, the gentleman's de-
parture was srspiciousIy sudden: but.
as his bill was paid up all right, OF
course, no one had a right to object.
But I just had the curiosity to look on
his trunks myself. and there wasn't a
scrap Of address on 'em; and the car
riage-a very elegant one-was driven
by an italian, who either didn't under
stand English or didn't choose to. AS
a last chance, I asked the marquis
where we should send letters, or any
thing Of that sort, in case they ar
rived: but he just said: Never mind
I'll ludLg pooSiblg lE pt p1Nh "ililill
a week-and to keep everything until
called for So you see that's absolute
" all I could find out on the subject"
Hantlin thanked the obliging clerk,
whose curiosity at least proved to him
that the italian had been warned to
make a sudden departure, and, as he
turned away, he remarked. casually:
Some lady in the secret, no doubt.
Locks a little mysterious"
Just So" returned the clerk, with a
Paul Pry alacrity. That's what /
thought myself, for I saw him In con-
versation with a young woman but a
short while before he packed his
trunks-and he packed them himself,
too"
"what?" exclaimed Hantlin, in at.
fected surprise. did the young lady
actually. follow him to the hotel?"
"Well, to my way of thinking, shs
looked more like the 1ady's maid, and
they SPOKE In French; she was a pow
erfully handsome-looking girl; eyes
black as night and flashing like dia-
monds, and a lovely figure, but pale as
marble
Hantlin turned sharply away. as he
recognized Leonce from this descrip-
ton: and then, with a polite word of
thanks, walked rapidly across the
street.
"Wretched girl! How she loves him.
he thought. Where is she now?
With him, no doubt. Villain! monster!
But I'll have him yet, IL 1t costs me
my life. Oh, Lord, how I love that
woman! I never thor-ht T could be
| nvnrthrnuUn 1fkn thgS p,t r,,a,~.r
mans time must come, I p and
I couldn't escape the general fate"
AS he hurried rapidly forward. he
would have brushed against Mrs. Mar
tin. had not that lady stepped reso-
lutely in front Of him and placed her
hand on his shoulder. She had beer
watching for him when he left Mrs.
Grayson, but at some distance from
the house; and when he came out he
had taken an opposite direction so rap
idly that she found it impossible to
overtake him. She followed. however,
and just managed to keep him In sight
until he entered the hotel, and then
she had to wait again, but at some dis,
lance, as before, because she was de-
sirous not to attract attention. And
again he disappointed her by starting
off at a rapid pace in an opposite d.
rection.
IT was useless to hope to overtake
him, so she whisked around the corner.
In the hope Of intersecting his way, and
and just managed to head him off as
he tErned into the next block.
II have been trying to meet you. Mr..
Hantlin.' she said, directly. ION leay-
ing my poo brothers hous this morn
ing, i felt that I must try to learn
whether you had yet got any clue to
the murderer, and, considering my re-
~lationship and my natural anxiety, I
hope you will not refuse TO answer
me-"
Madam" replied the detective. "I
have every right to refuse any inform
alton on such subjects except to nv
chief; but I appreciate your feelings.
and ! am anxious to satisfy you as far
az I may. Trusting that you will be
entirely secret on the subject, I win
say that / have a clue"
"Ah! you have spoken with Mrs
Graysor. them" asked Mrs. Martin,
eagerly.
She was determined, on general prin-
ciples, 10 learn all she could abou,
ciarice. But Hantlin gave her scanty
Information.
II viii only say that / have learned
more from Mrs. Greyson than she has
from me-" he answered.