The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-28
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! PARTNERS
/ By HOWARD FIELDING
Copyright, 1901, by Charles w. Hooke.

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"1n five minutes I will have Them
said Alden. "You will wait here? II
Is very kind Of you"
lie left the room hastily, and Brenda
explained his errand. Kendall's man.
ner led her to think that she might
have made an error in suggesting the
violets, but it was very different mat.
ter that was upon the doctors mind.
He was making an effort to express
himself. when Elmcndorr INTERRUPTED
him.
DIR. Kendall Is worried" he said,
because he has permitted me to play
a trick upon you. To tell the truth, |
don't like it any better than he does,
and here Is where 1t ends. l am not q
doctor. am Il detective sergeant
from headquarters. You saw me at
the Thirty-eighth street house this aft
crnoon. My name is Elmendorf."
Brenda exhibited surprise. but no re-
sentiment, merely saying that the de-
1cc'lVe's presence was doubtless neces-
sary for reasons unknown to her.
Il am as anxious as any one can
be- she said, ito have Justice done
in this deplorahle affair. DO you think
you can find ont who committed this
crime, Mr.. Elmendorf? DO you sus.
poet any onc:'
Il haven't got any authority to find
out anything or suspect anybody" re-
npf IN, IT.
Gated that this familiar situation was
not agreeable In the present instance.
u go where am sent and then | make
report. What becomes Of the infor.
nation aftrrward is matter with
which the sultan of Sulu has more to
do than have. But III tell you what
] Think" he added earnestly. "If this
poor girl gets well. that will he the
last you'll hear about the case. IL she
ulcs, it will all have to come ont.
"But you don't think she will dep
cried Brenda, paling.
~ hope not replied Elmendorf,
"and Of course my opinion in that
matter Is worth even less than it is
III the other. But we mustn't take her
recovery FOR granted at this stage Of
the game. Am right, DR.. Kcndali?"
"lhere can be no certainty yet" re-
Piled the doctor Sravely.
Tier condition might change for the
worse quite suddenly. Isn't that so:"
continued Elmcnlorf. "And il it did
she might become unconscious and re.
main so to the end. That's the fact, and
we must face it. This may he murder,
fnd the safe way is to get at the truth
how while we can
II wont have her questioned any
more tonight said Kendall, with tie.
cisinn. "lvc blocked off n coroner
already who was here for an ante
mortcm statement. and l am prepared
for the next conner. Miss Miller shall
mot be harried into her grave, and il
any attempt of the Kind is made l
Twill show few points of law that
will surprise some of our hit and miss
officials in this town. A physicians
authority beside his patient can be
put into practical form if the indvld-
,ual understands the subject. And l
do
your advice goes, with me-" Elmcn-
Idorf fastened to say; "but l don't
think the particular question l had in
mind could do any harm"
'Iou may state it," said Kendall.
1T was about n picture that | saw
lin her ROOM" replied the detective.
ga photograph Of painting. | should
say. I'd like to know where it came
from; how she happened to get it.
Ugly looking thing it is, and couldn't |
hclp wondering about it,"
"iou mean the picture of TantaIus,' :.
said Brenda. 81 saw it. Why do you |
attach any importance to it,"
"lf should tell You, you'd laugh at
me- replied Elmcndorf, $50 won't DO =
it Just now. lut If you should get a
good chance to ask the question:
81 have already done 50, Singul&ily
enough" said Brenda. "She was awake
when | returned 10 tile room, and we
spoke Of some things that she wished
to have brought here. She asked for
that picture. | must have shown my
surprise, fur she Immediately began to
praise the picture. saying how much 4
she admired the facial expression Of
the tortured king, and she mentioned
having houGlt it ut an art store on
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 an
actress" said ElmrnIorf. "That cx-
plains 1t no doubt. They like those cy-
irene typical faces. was foolish to
imagine that the picture could have
had anything to do with this case"
CHAPTER VIII.