Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-23
'Are you aware, then, that you be- come responsible should you repeat

II am aware or no such rule, said Holbin, "at least none that applies to me in this instance; am most directly affected, since the circumstances in volve the good name of Frances Brook in, of whom by her fathers will was made lifelong protector. shall de- fend her to the best of my ability, but. I think some of her people ought to be willing to share the responsibility. It must not be forgotten that it is by no means settled that I shall accept the propositions of MT. Brookin's remark able will.
 "That, I must confess, had not oc- cured to me- said Dr. Brodnar.
 Really? It has not occurred to you that gentleman may not be pur- chased like so much mercha ndise?'
 ''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 3 request in my name, but without my knowledge or consent. have had no chance to decline the alliance. were I so disposed. The ar- engagement, however, seems to me an excellent one, and I sincerely trust that nothing has happened CT will happen to defeat it.''
 "In the name of God, man, what are you driving at?"
 "A man was shot night before last
 
 whether living or dead it is not known. My informant thinks he is living.''
 j "Who told you such P thing?" The words came almost as a whisper from the astonished doctor.
 "He was shot from a window while fin the wing-room which opens into the garden. He was struck on the right side of his head"
 "Go on!" said the physician, after a pause, and making desperate efforts to be calm. fLet us see how far this wretched informant of yours has lied"
 'Lied? So upon the impulse of the moment I, too, believed. But the fame of woman is sacred, Dr. Brod- udT, duu tu1S "OIAluR 1 "cAI 1ulo that room. Upon the wall in the rear, a little out of line from the window to the chair, in which, it is said, the man who was shot had been sitting, was 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 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.
 "Yes." rF
 'Now what would you have of me ?''
 'I wish you to find out for me the room"
 II will get you his name upon one condition''
 And that is?''
 "That you will 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.
 "I do not know of any woman in l the case," he said. T
 II know that you do." "Dr 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 dawn the morning after that shot was fired. 1 When I next saw the spot the tracks had been carefully obliterated." Brod- mar was still standing and spoke rap 1 idly, as though he feared that he l could not restrain himself. Suddenly a bland smile spread over his face. 'The fact is," he said, ''the shot was i fired at me. Does that surprise you?'' ! HoI5in's S face showed that it did. "The i final, attack of which MT. Brool1in died" continued the doctor, twas mo- ! mentarily expected. l spent the night sitting in the poor girls room at her 1 request, to be within call her old nurse asleep upon the rug. You may believe this or not, Mir. Holbin, 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. l am not accustomed to offer proof of my statements, but l make an exception in your favor, as you are almost a stranger. As for the pretty theory of the pistol-ball carrying blood anG hair into the plastering, it evidently springs from an overloaded imagina tion. Blood there is none; and, fol the hair, you will find that in all goo6 plaster. But to conclude the matter Mir. Holbin: if bullet had taken { piece of my scalp into the wall, the wound would not have healed withir two days, and if you will examine my head carefully you will find that none of the scalp is missing.'' The lD l. L ]