Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-03-13
Ion, how do you do, DR.. Kendallr


establishment, which may Indicate
that there was more in the d-tective's
disguise than he had been willing to
admit to Kendall.
Il called to inquire about Miss NIL
ler' said Alden after maintaining
silence to what seemed the limit of
his power.
You are Mr.. Alden, take It." was
the reply. well, you want to cheer
up. Miss Miller is doing fine"
HAS she asked for me?"
Yes" but 1t was not Elmendorf's
voice that replied. "She has asked for
you many times"
Alden turned to see Brenda at the
door He stared at her as IL she had
been a figure raised up by some sud-
den conjuration.
"Brcndar' he said at last. 81 find
you everywhere"
Did not my father tell you l was
hereT she asked. and he shook his
head
Il shall remain with Miss Miller un-
til her mother comes" said Brenda.
DIR. Kendall has arranged IT.
Alden seemed momentarily to be at
n loss for words, but he did not strug-
gle for them or labor visibly with emo
ton. His manner still remained as II
had been hroughout-restraine me-
chanical.
You are true blue, Brenda" he said
steadily. You always WERE"
Il am very glad to be here" she In
terrupted. speaking softly and leading
him aside "She is an altogether Iowa
bic girl, and | am going to be a sister
to her" she added, smiling, instead
of to you, as is customary under the
circumstances. will see that she Ia
not harassed by questions and that she
lacks nothing that can possibly be
had"
Il cannot see her tonight" said Al
den. Can send q messageT
Il will take it>to her." replied Bren-
da. And, by the way, | saw some
violets in her room. She likes them
especially. does she not? think DR..
Kendall would let me take I'm a few
from you"
"In five minutes l will have them"
said Alden. You will wait here? 1t
Is very kind OF you"
He left the room hastily, and Brenda
explained his errand. KendaIps man
ner led her to think that she might
have made an error In suggesting the
violets, but II was a very different mat
ter that was upon the doctors mind.
He was making an effort to express
himself when Elmendorf interrupted
him.
'Dr. Kendall Ia worried" he said,
because he has permitted me to play
a trick upon you. To tell the truth,
don't like 1t any better than he does,
and here is where Ii ends. l am not a
doctor | am a detective sergeant
from headquarters. You saw me at
the Thirty-elghth street house this aft
ernoon. My name Is Elmendorf."
Brenda exhibited surprise. but no re-
sentiment, merely saying that the de-
tective's presence was doubtless neces-
sary for reasons unknown to her.
81 am as anxious as any one can
be-" she said. Ito have justice done
in this deplorable affair. Do you think
you can find out who committed this
crime, Mr.. Elmendorf? Do you sus-
pcct any oneY
81 haven't got any authority to find
out anything or suspect anybody" re-
piled Elmendorf, In n tone which indl-
Gated that this familiar situation was
not agreeable In the present instance.
81 go where | am sent and then make
n report What becomes Of the infor-
nation afterward is a matter with
which the sultan OF Sulu has more to
do than ] have. But I'll tell you what
| think" he added earnestly. 'If this
poor girl gets well. that will be the
last you'll hear about the case. IL she
dies, II will all have to come OUT
"But you don't think she will dieT
cried Brenda. paling.
IL hope not" replied Elmendorf.
"and Of course my opinion In that
matter Is worth even less than It Is
In the other But we mustn't take her
recovery for granted at this stage OF
the game. Am l right, DR.. KendallT
"There can be no certainty yet" re-
piled the doctor gravely.
Her condition might change for the
worse quite suddenly. Isn't that SOP
continued Elmendorf. And IL II did
she might become unconscious and re-
main so TO the end. That's the fact, and
we must face It This may be murder,
and the safe way is to get at the truth
now while we can"
81 won't have her questioned any
more tonight" said Kendall, with de-
cision. 1--WE blocked Off a coroner
already who was here for an ante
mortem statement, and / am prepared
for the next conner. Miss Miller shall
not be harried into her grave, and IL
any attempt of the kind is made
VIII show q few points OF law that
will surprise some OF our bit gnd miss
officials In this town. A physician's
authority beside his patient can be
put into practical form II the individ-
ual understands the subject. And
do"
"Your advice goes. with me-" Elmen-
dorf FASTENED to say; "but don't
think the particular question ] had In
mind could do any harm"
You may state It." said Kendall.
ut was about n picture that l saw
I'm her room." replied the detective,
n photograph OF n painting, | should
say. ia like to know where II came
from; how she happened to get 1t.
Ugly looking thing II Is. and | couldn't
help wondering about It."
you mean the picture OF Tantalus.'
snid Brenda IL saw IT. Why do you
attach any importance TO itT'
"1f should tell you. you'd laugh at
me" replied Elinendorf. $50 won't do
Il lust now But II you should get
good chance TO nsk the question
IL have already done so, singulnrly
enough" said Brenda. "She was awake
when ! returned TO the room. and we
spoke Of some things thnt she wished
to have brought here. She asked for
that picture must hnvc shown my
surprise. for she Immediately began to
prnisc the picture. saying how much
she admired the facial expression or
the tort tUrcd king, and she mentioned
having bought II ut nm art store on
Twenty third street few weeks ago.
AS n student OF facial expression. hav-
Ing her dreams OF tragic trIumphs some
day. the thing might naturally have
appealed TO her"
81 didn't think about her being nm
actress" said Elmendorf That ex-
plains II no doubt They like those ex-
trcmc typical faces. was foolish to