The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-10-06

by. Dora"
The tears sprang to my eyes, but il
| was necessary to control emotion il
this crisis. turned to DR.. Carr.
| There can be no doubt as to the
cause of death? p asked
He did not reply in words. but benz
forward and tapped the vial with hi:
| finger.
"Tell me how it happened" 1 asked
"WhO saw him last:'
1t was Thomas. the butler, who re
| piled. He seemed to have riser
through the floor at my Abow.
"He was out during the evening. sir. -
he said. I'VE don't know where he
was. 1t was near midnight when let
him in. Mr.. Morrow was writing in the
library, and Mr.. John went in there I
brought them glass of wine. 1t SEEM
ed to me. II may make bold to say so,
that Mr.. John was in better spirits
than usual
II thought so, too" said Morrow.
I'VE talked awhile of ordinary topics.
I didn't notice that Jack was depress-
ed. He seemed quite like his old self.
then he came up here to bed
Does anybody know" asked, "why
he opened this!'
l pointed to an ebony box containing
some papers. 1t was open, and a small
bunch Of keys hung in the lock.
us there any indication that he de-
stroyed anything?" continued.
mot that know Of" answered Nor.
row.
There was moments silence.
ut may be, sir, that the poison was
in there" suggested Thomas. HE
wouldn't have kept it lying round the
room. sir, and where else should he
have been likely to put it?'
THAT is probably the explanation"
said l. II wish I'd thought of it before.
When he confessed to me that he had
taken this bottle from my office tried
to find it. You will readily understand
why Mr.. Halstead."
II understand that you have been
criminally negligent" he rctortcd
"And let me tell you now that l am
done with YOU
He turned to Arthur and in his char
acteristic, impulsive, headlong way
went on:
you were never favorite with me,
Arthur. but you're all I've got now.
You're the only one bound to me by any.
tie. Dora Melvin shall have something,
with condition" He glanced fiercely
at me. And you'll have the balance,
Arthur. Much good may it do you"
mo money will do any one good that
comes in this way" replied Morrow,
with shudder.
'Thomas." said I. addressing the but
Ter, you let Mr.. John Halstead in last
night. Did he have anything in his
hand"
mo. SIR" he replied
mot this, for Instance" said l, lay
Ing my hand upon a small package that
was on the mantelpiece.
mo. sir" said Thomas. HE brought
that in day before yesterday. You re-
member It, Mr.. Morrow" he continued.
''He took It into the library where you
were writing"
IL had forgotten it," answered Nor
row. Are you sure. Thomas?"
'"This Is serious matter" said I, lay
Ing my hand on the buffers shoulder.
''Do not commit the folly Of beginning
the affair with a falsehood."
II don't know why should lie about
1t, SIR" he replied doggedly.
"You saw him take this parcel into
the library" l continued. by the way,
does anybody know what's in it?'
My uncle interrupted to ask angrily
what all this was about.
"Grant me two minutes" said l. And
then l repeated my question.
There was no reply.
Thomas" said l. "what did young
Mr. Halstead do with this parcel after
he took 1t into the library?'
Il saw him unite the string" he an
swered. ''rhen he took up pen from
the table. but l didn't see him write
anything"
Ibid he write anything in the library
last evening"" l asked, turning to Nor
row, who answered me in the negative.
"Are you sure?' l insisted. "You
were there all the time that he was
present"
YES" was the answer "Hc didn't
write anything while l was there.
Why do YOU ask?"
because this message on the card is
written with the ink that is used in the
library and not with Jacks stylo-
graphic pen. There Is no ink in this
room that can see"
"What is the purpose Of these ques-
tions?" demanded Mr.. Halstead.
Without answering him l took up
the parcel and removed the wrapper.
There was dainty box within, and
upon opening that discovered a small
plaque, beautifully painted. The de-
sign was in lilies of the valley, which
were Dora's favorite flower.
"Unless am greatly in error" said
I, ''this farewell message on the card
was intended to be put into this box.
1t was parting gift to Dora"
"Its purpose is obvious" said Mr..
Habtead ut Law upOn this table and