The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-16
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wound, because Of its jewels, he left the
room by means of the secret exit, which
he had been the first Of those ignorant
of it's existence to find.
when my mistress had refused tt
every article of value, and, eve draw.
allow me to come into her room. I hac
run down stairs to ISL what had hap
pened;' then, fearing I might be wanted
suddenly when I was out Of the way, ]
was Fastening back again, up the SER
wants stair, when I found myself face
to face with Antonio Castellani, still
carrying the bloody knife in his hand
Fear took away all power to cry out
He clutched my arm and demanded my
help. I did not even think of refusing
him.
1.-The Old fascination and terror which
the man possessed over me, combined
with the horror Of his position and
mine, overwhelmed me, and I obeyed
him blindly. I made but n stipula-
ton: I would not stir while he held the
evidence of his crime; and he turned
and flung it back into the passageway
he had just quilted.
II don't know why.I did SOFT was
tn: worst thing I could have done for
HIM, as it has been the cause of all the
complications that ensued-but the
sight of it held me dumb and motion
less. I could not move while I beheld
it. After he had disposed Of it I hast
ened to hide him in my room, where he
removed all traces Of blood from his
hands and garments.
II hen returned, hoping to dispose of
tho foI1.to1o yUaon MN RYf r. WAC fOn
late-the murder had beer discovered.
and I found myself drawn into the room
along with the rest. There my agita~
ton and terror betrayed me to this
keen-eyed gentleman"-turning toward
Hantlin.
"But I was able to elude even his pen
etration, and in the course of the next
half hour 1 had enabled Castellani to
escape. The good fortune which seemed
to follow that man was shown ven
there, however, for, had I not been
seized with an attack Of nose-bleeding
it would not have been possible for me
to conceal the traces that the murderer
had left Of his presence in the ROOM"
IT well remember the incident, MISS"
Hantlin said, al Leonce again turned
toward him. "And hat same night you
helped him still further?"
eyes. He is associated with a gang
Of miscreants from his own country.
They are a formidable band of GRIM
inals, and he is their chief. I followed
him there, acted as hair-dresser and
barber, and made such changes in his
appearance as were likely to make hin.
less conspicuous without giving him
the appearance Of being disguised. On
the next day he took up his abode at
the hotel, where you first saw him, and
lived under his own title. Circum-
stances compelled me to"see him again
at times, but it was always against my
will. I vas leaving madam in order
that I might u away, where I could
escape his evil influence"
"Oh, miss, I suspect you Of no evil"
Hantlin FASTENED to say "And you
have behaved nobly now in giving us
your assistance. I believe you to be as
good as you are beautiful"
Leonce was in too profound sorrow to
ray heed to compliments, but She could
not be insensible to the homage of the
detectives manner. It was new in her
experience of men, and she felt she had
inspired William Hantlin with a great
and genuine regard, and for the pres
ent she at least appreciated his feeling
for. her.
."You will find me a willing and reli-
able witEess," she said. bcwing grave
ly, "and I am ready whenever you
choose to call me-"
Hantlin thanked her and, feeling that
the. interview wa at an end, fastened
to take his leave. for he remembered
certain things which, in his excitement,
he had overlooked. .,5
With a strong police force he re-
turned to the fair home where he had
found Castellani, but too late. Every
article Of value had been removed from
each Place of concealment, and the
house was quite deserted.