The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-08-17

II did not again SEQ Nj. Grayson-.
living, wa
The detective regarded her curiousl,
for q bricf instant; then, turning tt
Clarice. proceeded with his questions
Does this room lead to Mr.. Gray.
sons room, madam, without Eoinl
through the outer hall?"
That ! cannot tell you, sir. I am Z
stranger In this house. I entered II fol
the frst time. to-day"
"Indeed!"
d..As all in the house can tell you. But
Mr.. Grayson's valet can tell yousa al
about the rooms. He was my huS-
bands confidential servant: and knew
more OF the house and OF his master
than any else I believe"
Carl, being questioned, explained that
the rooms were en- suite. a sliding door
led from Mrs. Grayson's boudoir t the
dressing room; q door from the. dress.
ing room opened into the sleeping
apartment, and from the further side
Of that room another door opened into
MI. Grayson's dressing room, where
the unfortunate gentleman now lay
dead.
The detective requested leave to walk
through the rooms, and Clarice at once
ordered Carl to lead the way.
The sliding door was unlocked. al
though the key was in the lock and on
the inside. The door OF the dressing
room was locked, but the key was on
the side toward the boudoir.
"So-So!" thought Hantlin. IF he
escaped this way, she afterwards
locked the door. What's that / heard
about q lover and a scene at the church
this morning? All, ha. I begin to see
daylight"
But he merely nodded, bade Carl open
the door, apd proceeding through the
bed chambef, tried the door leading
into Mr.. G%rayson's dressing room.
It was locked, and the key IN the OPP
posite side: but one Of the men on the
inside might have done that. since they
were in charge Of the dead man. 1t
would be easy to find that out on a
future occasion.
Accompanied by Carl, Hantlin then
returned to Mrs. Grayson's boudoir.
Clarice strove in vain to appear calm,
but the effort was almost too much
for her. She was tortured with anxiety
and apprehension. Each moment she
expected to hear Shirley Austin pro-
claimed as the suspected murderer.
"well sir, is there anything p
she asked the detective. the moment he
reapreared. You will excuse me II !
remind you that I am-almost-over-
come"
II ask your pardon for one question
more,""t the detective answered, with
deep respect. Have. you eve seen this
weapon before, Mrs. Grayson? Or, per-
haps you, would call it an ornament"
AS he spoke he quickly drew the jew
eled stiletto from his pocket, deftly
c%ontriving to conceal the blade in his
hand while holding the handle toward
Clarice.
ut is mine." she answered. simply,
u%nheeding the gesture Of warming
which the lawyer made toward her.
Indeed! tits the weapon that killed
your husband!" exclaimed the detect-
i've, with dramatic effect, as the SAINT
time turning the stiletto 80 as to dis
play the CORY proof of his words, cling
ing to the blade.
Clarice recoiled with a stified shrek,
and her face blanched with terror. The
jeweled stiletto that Shirley Austin had
given her! Oh, heayen where had ehe
lost 1t? How? When? Who had found
1t? i
Her brain reeled. Her senses seemed
about to leave her. Almost fainttng,
she fell back in her chair.
perhaps you lost thesornament? It
may have been stolen from .you?"
Hantlin continued. pitilessly.
s.It is my duty to. tell you, Mrs.
G~rayson," here broke In Mr.. Baldwin,
.and I do 1t as sthe legal adviser OF
your late husband, that you are not
obliged to answer any more questions"
Sir said the detective. coolly, you
are trying to defeat Justice"
.sir,'"' exclaimed the lawyer, hotly.,
"you are exceeding your business!
Such questions as you ore now putting
belong to q court Of Justice, or, at least,
to a coroner's inquest"
Detective Hantlin had already with
drawn his attention from Mrs. Gray
son, however. and vas now directing It
toward Leoncc.
perhaps you recognize this stiletto?"'
he said. You may even have handled
it. Pray tell me when, my good girl"
Eyes; I placed 1t in Mrs. Grayson's
wedding veil!!"
.G- NEEaEstHt