Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1903-02-19


mind upon another matter. my affairs
were never before so prosperous as
they are today"
THAT won't do" responded the cap
tain. II have positive proof
You know nothing about it." said
Alden. II have other interests than
those Of my firm"
"What other interests?"
II decline to answer"
"Where did you 60 when you left
your Office after sending that note?
II will not tell you"
"Why not?" queried the captain in
his most persuasive tone. 'Oh. per-
haps you don't know these other gen.
tlemen. They'll step into the hall or
out on to the balcony. I've no doubt"
1T will make no difference replied
Alden.
"What you say will be confidential.
of course"
Captain Neale." said Alden. this is
a business secret that is worth good
deal Of money. If should tell 1t to
any man. he could force payment for
his silence"
"You don't mean to say that I'd do
thing like that" demanded Neale.
II have no wish to offend" said Al
den. but you want the truth. and you
shall have it. Your reputation. like
that of many another man high up in
the department. is bad-aS bad as 1T
can be- Remembering that this bust
! ness matter involves others than my
self won't trust you with hint of 1t.
That is my last word on that subject"
Neale's face turned red and white in
strange, irregular spots.
Now hear a word from me-" he
said 1--WE been looking you up. You
are ruined man You were engaged
to this girl. and it was all that saved
you. But you couldn't be honest even
with her You made love to this Elsie
Mill.r, and you neglected Miss Mae
lan" and she wouldn't stand for it.
But by that time you were so involved
with Miss Miller that YOU couldn't
break away. SO what did you do?
Why, you wrote her a note telling q
fairy story about lot of money, know
ing that the note would be found and
would make the case look like robbery.
You told her how busy you were, and
five minutes afterward you quit work
and came up town. You had a key to
this house; you came here
"Do you mean to accuse me of this!'
The words came from between AL
den's teeth. and he strobe toward Neale.
who put the table between them and
drew his revolver.
"Wallace" he called.
policeman entered from the hall.
"That man is under arrest" said
Neale. Take him in."
d, This is monstrous." said Alden, but
he spoke coolly. You shall answer
= for it,"
well talk about that later" re-
joined the captain. "You 60 with that
man."
Brenda crossed the room quickly and
!. took Alden's hand.
II will do everything that l can for
v you," she said, land for her."
: you're coming along. too" said
Neale. mo; I'll stand by what said.
!, Go home"
Alden opened his mouth to speak and
then closed it again. He turned and
went out of the room with the police
; man, Brenda following Immediately
and DIR. Blair a moment later. Elmen-
dOrf and Neale remained.
The captain dropped into chair.
81 don't know as l done right" he
said
Elmendorf walked across the room
and looked at Il picture on the wall be-
tween the windows. 1t was a photo
: graphic copy of Neierstein's painting
Of "Tantalus." The unfortunate king
} who divUlged the secrets of Xeus was
: represented chained to the rock starry
: just beyond his reach. 1t was a pain
full picture. quite out of keeping with
" all else in the room, and Elncndorf re-
garded it curiously. few lines tell
j ing the legend, were printed below,
= and TIE detective read them.
well, he looks it." he said. glanc-
j ing up at the face of Tantalus. And.
y by the way. Neale. you don't think AL
j den did this thing, do your
: Not on your life!" said the captain.
"The case is perfectly plain. 1t may
be that didn't do the smart thing"
D Elmendorf turned away.
"Arrestng Il man for murder just be-
: cause he calls you a thief when you
know you are one" said he, isn't ex-
l actly my idea Of wisdom"
e Neale sprang to his feet and faced Ell
mendorf angrily.
I mot with me. Joe Neale," said the