Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-02-27

mendous vital energy declares itself
Enthusiastically. As he stood there. per-
fectly still, the power within him seem
ed to affect the air. 1t was as when one
feels the tension Of an engine that ID
at rest, but ready. When such a man
advances, neither the ordinary obsta.
cles nor even his own will can stop
him.
"Brendaw be said in a singularly re-
strained voice. very Ill suited to bis
words. "Why In the name Of heaven
are you here?"
eff | know" she answered, ut was
because wanted to help her, because
| couldn't have her die like this. p
"Where is sheY
"They have taken her to a hospital
St. Winifred's."
The young man snatched up his hat,
which had fallen to the floor.
"Wait a minute" exclaimed Neale.
you're Alden-Clarence III. Alden%
yes
"Well. want to talk to you. Wait!
II you go down there. you can't get In
nor find out anything; that's orders.
You'll get more Information here"
ais she uvingT demanded Alden.
"Yes," replied the captain. 'Tf she
dies. shall know Of 1t within Eve min
utes. and that's quicker than you could
learn Of 1t anywhere else. Let me man.
age this. I'll take good care of you.
I'll see that you get every word OF
news Meanwhile let's get down to
business. You sent that note to herT
81 did"
"with $500 in it2'
"Yes."
"WhenT
"At ten minutes after 2 I sent It by
John Robinson. clerk in my ONCE"
"Where .s he nowW
81 don't KNOW" answered Alden. II
didn't wait for him to come back.
Now. answer my question. Who did
this thing?"
Neale spread his hands abroad with
a grotesque gesture intended to dis
claim the possession Of the informa.
tion.
"We're all at sea-" he said. Some
body got into this room and stabbed
the girl with this knife"
He suddenly lifted a newspaper that
had lain on the table and disclosed
the weapon beneath 1t. The long
blade was open and visibly stained
with blood. Brenda's hand had been
within six inches of 1t, and at the
sight she started back with such alarm
that DR.. Blair stretched out his arm
to support her. She did not fall. how
ever, but stood rigid, staring at Alden.
The color rushed to his face. He put
up his hand and pushed back the tan
gle Of light brown hair that was lying
moist upon his forehead.
Recognize itT said Neale, with his
mirthless grin.
"It is mine." replied Alden In the
same repressed and steady tone that
he had used throughout this scene.
81 gave it to her."
"When"
"a few days ago." said Alden. 81
don't exactly remember"
"Queer present." rejoined the cap
tain, "for girl"
"She was cutting some pictures out
of the magazines" replied Alden. 81
happened to have the knife In my
pocket. She used 1t, and didn't take
1t back"
The captain slowly nodded his head,
as one who has reached the end OF q
topic and Is preparing for the next.
"And now," said he. "how long have
WON Gnnxyp +bIo vn,,nn Iody
He waved his hand toward Brenda.
81 have known Miss Maclane a long
time," said Alden. "Why do you ask p
"Miss Maclane, ehr said the cap
tain. elevating the strange tufts OF
parti colored hair that were his eye
brows. 81 understood that her name
was Williams"
II have done an absurdly foolish
thing" said Brenda, addressing Alden
81 was afraid my name would be pub
lished, and 30 / tried to deceive these
people"
big mistake" rejoined Captain
Neale, shaking his head solemnly
"This whole story will have to come
out, and II the facts are known to the
police at the start 1t will come ou
straight: otherwise there's no telling
what the reporters will do with It."
"There is no reason whatever" saif
Alden, why Miss Maclane should b,
brought into this affair"
"There isn't, ehY' said the captain
"Why is she here7 Sympathy for ,
woman that she says she never saw
No; guess We'll have to have some
thing better"
"If you don't get it." said Alden
what thenT'
"Ill have to hold her as q witness"
"You mean that you will put me un
der arrestY demanded Brenda, he
face and even her lips absolutely color
less.
"Pll have to-" said the captain.
"And suppose that answer all you
questions nowT she asked.
Neale struck his hand down upon tn,
table.
"You can go home Just as soon o.
you've done It," he declared. and a
but with the unmistakable stamp o
tne ponce upon niIn, entered Tue roou
and saluted his superior.
Excuse me for q minute" sal,
Neale. and, accompanied by the mai
who had just appeared upon the scene
he stepped out into the hall.
| Brenda turned to DR.. Blair. who wa
leaning against the mantelpiece.
"Dr. Blair" she whispered. you will
not say that It was I whom you say
leaving this house?"
NO" replied the physician slowly
81 will not"
"What does this mean" demande,
Alden.
DIR. Blair regarded Alden steadily 70
some seconds before he said with tha
careful measuring Of words that doc
tors learn: