The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-05-03
~ Fred N. Uhite
CHAPTER ".
In ExtreJMis,

In Extrennls.
For some time--a minute, an hour
Steel stood over the dreadful thing hud-.
died upon the floor Of his conservatory.
Just then, he was incapable Of consecu-
tive ideas.
His mind began to move at length.
The more he thought of 1t the more ab-l
eolutely certain. he was that he fast
ened the door before leaving the house.
True, the latch-key was only an ordin-
cry one, and a key might easily have
been made to fit it. AS a matter of fact,
David had two. one In reserve in case
Of accidents. The other was usually
kept in a Jewel drawer OF the dressing
table. Perhaps
David went quietly up stairs. It was
Just possible that the murderer was in
the house. But the closest search re-.
vealed nothing. He pulled out the jew
Ell drawer in the dressing table. The
something to go upon.
Then there vas a runabling Of an
electric bell somewhere that set David's
heart beating like a drum. The hall
light streamed upon a policeman in uni
form, and an inspector in a lark over
coat and a bard felt hat. Or the pave
E.ent was a long. shallow tray. which
David recognized, mechanically, as ar
ambulance.
Something very serious, sir??" n
spector Marley asked, quietly. Nv
brought the doctor with me-"
David nodded. Both the inspector and
the doctor were a-cqualLtances Of his.
He closed the door and led the way into
the study. Just inside the conserva-
tory, and not far from the huddled fig
,ure. lay David's cigar case. Doubtless,
without knowing 1t, the owner had
whisked it off the table when he had
sprung the telephone.
"'Um!"' Marley muttered. lis this a
clue. or yours, sir?"
He lifted the case, with its diamonds
cleaning / stars or a dark night.
David had forgotten all about 1t for the
time, had forgotten where 1t came from
or that it contained e250 in bank notes.
mot mine" he said. II mean to say,
of course, 1t is mine. A recent present.
The shock Of this discovery has de-
prived me of my senses pretty well.'
Marley laid the cigar case on the ta-
BILE. It seemed strange to him, who
could follow a tragedy calmly, that a
3yudH SNOulu 1OISClH AlAo OWA pAOPSAS
Meanwhile, Cross was bending over the
body. David could see a face. smooth,
like that of a woman. "A quick little
exclamation came from the doctor.
IA drop Of brandy here and quick as
pSasible," he commanded.
You dor't mean to say Steel began;
don't -" .4;E d
Gross waved his arm impatiently. The
brandy was procured as soon as possi-
Die. Steel, watching intently, fancied
that he detected a slight flicker OF the
muscles Of the white, stark face.
Bring the ambulance here" Cross
said. CURLY. "If We can get this poor
chap to the hospital there is just q
chance for him. Fortunately. we have
many yards t. go"
AS far as calculation went. Marley
naturally looked to Steel.
at should like to have your explana-
tion, sir" hi said, gravely.
POSITIVELY, I have NJ explanation to
-orer.n David, replied. about midnight
& let myself ou to go for q stroll, care
fully closing the door behind me. q
orally. the door was on the latch. When
i came back. an hour or SO later, to my
horror and surprise. I found hos
marks Of a struggle yonder. and that
poor fellow lying on the floor OF the
conservatory"
cum. Was the door fast on your re-
turn?" ~
mo; it was pulled to, but It was
open, all the same"
You didn't hapIen to lose your latch
key during your midnight stroll, sir!Y
..No; 1t was only when I put my key
inSthe door that ] discovered 1t to pc
D I have q spare latch key that
Keep for emergencies.-but e I Went
to look for It just now. the key was not
to be found. When ISScame back nes
house was perfectly quiet.
what family have YOU, sir and What
kind OF servants?"
...There is only myself and my moth
-er, with three maids. You ma 20
any suspicion of the eryants from sna
your, mind4at once. My mother her train Mn
them all In the old vicaragesS where 81
Was born. and not OF the trio has
beenfwith Ls less than twelve ears.
t.Thaf simplitl.s matters somewhat.
sid Marley, tho,ughtfully. Apparent
II vo,r latch key was stolen by some
1body Who has made careful study ri
yo,rr habits. Do you generally 8 9 f 81
late walks after YOUR household has
XOuS W USus 0AAArs TX s&N.sS. Sss$ cH9 = X 1890,
David replied somewhat grudgtngly.
thatshe had never done such az thing
before. He would like nave con-
scealed the fact hut # was hound Stos
come out, sooner or later He haG
1trcIled along the front and sound
brunswick saYare. Marley shrugged;
mis- shoulders. .4&
"Well, It's BIT Of 8 puxzle to me,,sNae
Admitted. "You 60 out Tor g midnight
swaik-a thing you have never d g ne be-
fore-snd when you come back YOU IND
somebody has got into your house 2 Y
means Of a. stolen atatch-iey and NUT.
dered somebody else An your Fconseryar
terry. According to that, tw0$gpeopl
muer have enteredSsthe house
.,That's logic David admitted. There
.naanshaes no murder without the slain AMI
The slayer. Ny impression 4 sEt
s1om1ebNody who knows the q =
house WATCHED me- depart. .sS 81 n Al ae
his victimi In here, pretetceS
that its was his own houspe-zsshsesa adsthe
Ipurloinedlatch key--and Tr1urrderefdS him A
SsAIdaucieoius,, Sb but farr safer wa
doinGsa itS out / doors. 'ss9 as SsSS &S a@ gss#
ss SsSBlts Marley s@8imagtnatiorl refusedSto
- ss.o,slaaO 81 The theory NFas% plallsipie
enol,sah. she pbinted QUIT respectfnnllyy.sa deH
Observation-Disclosures 4 e
sl.sInS.hx ya1,.hles were b lmattersOtscn1- @@