The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-10
KxXII
with the shade Down.


avenue. He had his idea to brood
upon, while was engaged in turning ever
in my mind various vague conjectures ris-
ing out Of the argument we had just in
obliged in, But before reaching the point
of our destination, yentured upon one
"Have you, during any OF your investi-
cations, public or private. learned which
OF the three sons of Mr.. Gillespie is the
greatest favorite with the old family
Hewson?'
"No; that is, yes. why do you ask?"
Because if it is not Leighton"
'tAnd it certainly is not
'Then advise you to direct your en-
ergies toward the one he is known to like
hest"
Sweetwater stopped short and surveyed.
me in very evident surprise before ventur-
ing upon the following remark:
II should like to know just why YOU
say that?"
I replied by relating my interview with
the butler In the drug store, and his easy
acceptance Of Legations guilt as implied
sweetwater listened and moved on; but
SO quickly now I could hardly keep pace
with him.
IF my idea has no will-o' the wisp un-
certainty in it, and have lighted upon a
way out of this mystery, will be made
for life," he declared, as we reached the
Gillespie house and he paused for mo-
there! I'm counting chickens--so
which Mr.. Gryce never approves Of at
any stage of the game" And rushing up
the stoop, he rang the bell, while waited
below with my heart In my mouth, as
they say.
Who would respond to the summons;
and if we effected an entrance-which
fall 70 No of 6N,1h w n
would we be likely to Cone upon in q
visit of this nature? George? Alfred :?
T did not like to ask, and sSWeetwater did
not volunteer to inform me.
The opening of the door cut short my
reflections as we'll as gave answer to my
aforementioned doubt. Old Hewson, and
Hewson only, opened the door Of this
counter with his patient figure had some
thing disappointing in it, or. whether the
solemn grandeur Of the interior thus
quietly disclosed to view produced an I'M
preston of family life that was more
than painful under the circumstances. I
experienced. a recoil from the errand
which had brought me there, and would
have retreated If I had not recalled
Hopes interest in this matter, and the
Joy it would give her to see Leighton Gil
lespie proved innocent Of the crime for
which he was at present held In custody.
Meantime, Sweetwater, with an air q
perfect nonchalence admirably assumed,
had stepped past Hewson into the house:
Evidently he was accustomed to go IN and
out of the place at will, and though the
old servant did not fail to show his indig-
nation at this palpable infringement upon
the family dignity, he did not abate a 1ot
of his usual politeness or even watch the
unwelcome intruder too closely IN his
passage down the hall.
But his complaisance did not extend TO
me. He gave me look which demanded
a response. -: .s-
"some fornality Of the law!'' I wills
pered hoping that the. unaccustomeo
words would befog the old man SUFFICIENT
ly to cover my own embarrassment, anu
answer any doubts he might have as TO
the purpose Of our errand tnere. ana
perhaps they did, for, with some mutterso
words, among which heard this patnetic
phrase, There are so many OF tnem!
he crept away and disappeared through
the door leading into the dinlng-room.
AS he did SO, noted a man sitting on
settee pushed we'll into the corner near
the study door. did not know TINS man |;
j only noted he sat there@very qAletly,
and that the only movement ns maui an -
our approach was a slight raising anu
falling of his fingers on his3crossed arms:
We were making for the study behind
the stairs. and into this room sweet
water. after unlocking 1T with Key No
had taken from his pocket. now walked:
"Do; you object to visiting TINS pla ace
aeain?' he asked, striking matcn ano
reaching up to light the gas.
Of course I answered no, yet At was
NOT quite a pleasant experience to stand
there. and watch the light pickering ON
his face. in a spot where had last seen
the one horrid spectacle OF my lie.
But when the cheerful fame had SPRUNG
I'M and wallis made familiar not by ione
seeing but close seeing had come INTO
view, was conscious simply OF s.lol rs
desire to know why T had been brought TO
This room in such haste and secrecy, ana
what the idea was which had pro-
duced SO marked an effect upon my slngu-
lar companion.
enIightening me- He was engaged IN
casting keen glance about him, q glance
| which seemingly took in every detail OF
| the aforementioned room; then, as u
t satisfied that nothing had been disturbed
since his last visit, he advanced to the
| window and pulled down the shade.
1--WE will not have the curious Mr. RIOS
enthal giving away our secrets, ne dTyi5
commented. "And this is our secret, IS II
not? You won't feel called upon to re.
peat outside what goes on between us II
this room?"
I E"CerLalnly not. ...-z...
The assurance seemed unnecessary, bu
I did not regret giving it when saw hoT
it relieved him Of all doubt, and caused
his eye to tighten and his manner to grow
easy as he went on to say:
| $50 far as mortal calculation can 60
this room has not been entered by an
one but the police or persons acting un
der the instructions OF the police, sine
i the hour when Mr.. Gillespie was carries
out of 1t. Consequently we have rign
to expect all articles remaining here t
be in the same condition as on tnaSt nlgn1
This, for instance"
i He had taken out the typewriter from
closet built in one Of the corners, and Sc
1t as he spoke, down; In It's old place O.
the edge Of the desk. sssa Is
4 eAh!'. I burst forth ''Youf idea IS /
! connection with this typewriter"
He frowned, or almost frowned. for h
was an amiable fellow; then, giving me
Z pleading look, observed:
81 81 am young Yet, Mr.. Cultivate, and
is very easy for me to deceive myself wit
imaginary results. You will therefor
J allow me minute to myself, end il fin
out thatiI have struck falsestra1l, or
my idea proves to be one cannot sustai
by facts, I'll sing out and we will consul
as to oursnext move. :
+ "ShaIl step outside?" asked:
But this he would not listen to.
"All want" said he SIS for you
look the other way while ! stoop over thi
typewriter"
I naturally felt disposed TO humor hin
and meanwhile he remained SO still tina
! / was confident he did not touch the ia
strument. But the cry which impetu1usl
! burst from him after moment OF intens
stiffness startled me SO ( can never fol
get It. It was something between SO
J Ia oHeeGt$ r