The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-09-25


was necessary 10 control emotion In
this crisis. turned 10 DR.. Carr.
There can be no doubt as TO the
cause OF death" l asked.
He did not reply In words, but bent
forward and tapped the vial with his
finger.
Tell me how 1t happened" asked.
"Who saw him last"
1t was Thomas. the butler, who re-
piled. He seemed TO have risen
| through the floor at my elbow.
"He was out during the evening, sir,
ne said 1--WE 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.
brought them a glass of wine. 1t SEEM
ed TO me, if may make bold to say so,
that Mr.. John was in better spirits
than usual"
81 thought so. too" said Morrow.
1--WE talked awhile OF ordinary topics.
didn't notice that Jack was depress-
ed. He seemed quite like his old self.
We sat together for half an hour. and
then he came up here TO bed"
Does anybody know" asked, "why
he opened thisY
pointed TO an ebony box containing
some papers. 1t was open, and small
bunch of keys hung in the lock.
"Is there any indication that he de-
stroyed anything?' l continued.
Not that | know of, answered Nor
row.
There was moments silence.
'It 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. Il wish Ia thought of it before.
When he confessed to me that he had
taken this bottle from my office l tried
to find il. You will readily understand
why, Mr.. Halstead."
Il understand that you have been
criminally negligent" he retorted.
"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 a 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 a 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 a shudder.
Thomas" said l, addressing the but
| Ter, you let Mr.. John Halstead in last
night Did he have anything in his
hand?"
"No, sir" he replied
"Not this. for instanceT' 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"
81 had forgotten it," answered Nor
row. Are you sure, Thomasf"
This is a serious matter" said |, lay
ing my hand on the buffers shoulder.
"Do not commit the folly Of beginning
! the affair with falsehood."
81 don't know why l should lie about
it, sir" he replied doGgedly.
You saw him take this parcel into
the library" | continued. by the way,
does anybody know what's in it,"
Ny uncle interrupted TO ask angrily
what all this was about
Grant me two minutes" said /. And
then | repeated my question.
There was no reply.
Thomas said |. what did young
Mr.. Halstead do with this parcel after
he took it into the libraryY'
Il saw him unite the string" he an
swerrd. 'Then he took up pen from
the table, but didn't see him write
anything"
Did he write anything in the library
last evening" | 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. "He didn't
write anything while / 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 sec"
What is the purpose of these ques-
tiOnsW demanded Mr. Halstead
Without answering him | took up
the parcel and removed the wrapper
There was a 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
l, ''this farewell message on the card
was intended to be put into this box.
1t was parting gift to Dora"
ats purpose is obvious" said Mr..
Halstead. 1T lay upon this table, and
this bottle Of poison was on top Of 1t.
1t was his last word, poor fellow"
But why did he buy the plaque?" I
insisted. WAS it for you? For me q?
| For Arthuri"