Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07

a. /
chased like SO much merchandise"
do you mean to insinuate. sir, that
you did not seek to marry Frances
Brookin?" DR.. Brodnar arose, and the
question burst from him Indignantly;
but, restraining himself, he looked to-
wards the inner door and lowered his
voice. an action that did not escape his
visitors notice.
II insinuate nothing. My mother
perhaps made request in my name,
but without my knowledge or consent. |
/ have had no chance to decline the
alliance, were ] so disposed. The ar
rangement. however, seems to me
an excellent one, ard l sincerely
trust that nothing has happened or
will happen to defeat it,
"In the name of God, man, what
are you driving at?"
"a man was shot night before last
upon our premises and spirited away,
whether living or dead it is not
known. My informant thinks he is
living
"Who told you such thing?" The
words came almost as whisper from
the astonished doctor.
HE was shot from window while
in the wing-room which opens into
the garden. He was struck on the
right side of his head"
go on!" said the physician, after
pause, and making desperate efforts
to- be calm. ''Let us see how far this
wretched informant Of yours has
lied"
Lied? So upon the impulse OF che
moment 1, too. believed. But the
fame of a woman is sacred, DR.. Brod-
mar, and this morning / went into
that room. Upon the wall in the
rear, little out of line from the
window to the chair. in which, it is
said. the man who was snot had been
sitting, was a bullet mark. On the
/ Jagged edges of the hole in the plas-
ter were few hairs and traces of
| blood" Holbin unfolded little pack
age upon the table as he spoke. place
these under a microscope and verify
my statement" Again the doctor
was silent; but the look he gave his
visitor was so passionately threaten
ing that Holbin paused.
go on!" again the command was
little more than 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.
"Yes"
Nov what would you have of me?'
II wish you to find out for me the
name of the man who was in that
room"
81 will get you his name upon one
condition"
"And that is?"
"That you will tell me the name
of the woman who fred the shot
Holbin could not, try as he might
conceal the start these words pro
voked.
81 do not know of any woman in
the case" he said.
Il know that you do"
CDR Brodnar!"
Holbin sprang to his feet with we'll
affected rage. The doctor continued
Only a woman's tracks marked
!, the soil under that window at dawr
] 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 hi
could not restrain himself. Suddenl,
bland smile spread over his face
''The fact is" he>said, ''the shot wa
fred at me. Does that surprise YOU?
, Holbin's face showed that ii did. 9TH
o final attack of which Mr.. Brookil
;, died" continued the doctor, twas mo
! mentarily expected. l spent the nigh
II sitting in the poor girls room at he
>, request, to be within call. her oil
n nurse asleep upon the rug. You ma
@ believe this or not, MIR. Holbin. bu
'' take my suggestion, and if you doub
/ the explanation conceal your fran
It of mind. By the way, lift the Ii
s of the box there on my table; no,
,e compare the cigar that you foun
e with those in the box. You perceiv
n that they are exactly alike. ! am nc
h accustomed to offer proof of IN
" statements. but l make an eXceptio
lie in your favor. as you are almost
ID stranger. AS for the pretty theor
W of the pistol-ball carrying blood an
,e hair into The plastering, it EVIDENT
is springs from an overheated imagin
ton. Blood there is none and, fc
the hair, you will find that in all GOO
lie plaster. But to conclude the matte
Y, Mr.. Holbin: if bullet had taken
E. piece of my scalp into the wall, Il
wound would not have healed with
IN two days, and if you viii examil
at my head carefully you will find TIL
lie none of the scalp is missing" III
he doctor lowered his head and moved
accommodatingly from side to side.
'e- Have you any suspicion as to Il
OF name of the woman who fired tn
ny shot-at you?" asked Holbin, sarca
tically.
re- "a very strong suspicion; with +
al it amounts now to certainty. S
&c L. ! T..