Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-03-12
CHAPTER XII.

Nickerson was the first to break the
silence that ensucd. He arose and paced
the floor
you said there was a woman in the
house, and a shoemaker across the way,
who saw and even described the man"
II did"
"To whom does their description
pointY'
Enthusiastically to Atherton. Almost
any one who knows him would recognize
him from their description"
Whatever is DONE" said Mayberry
with resolution in his face and tone, 81
want to have no share, no hand, in bring
ing Atherton into trouble. | cane be-
lieve he would murder any one. 1t is not
like him to strike woman either"
II have told you all l know" said
Dunn, in a respectful but firm tone. Il
never permit my feelings to interfere
with my judgment"
II believe you; but there is some terri
bic mistake here Dont-don't let us
blunder. 1t may cost a man more than
life is worth; it may rob Atherton Of his
reputation"
1T is like to end in somebody losing
life" said Dunn. There hasn't been any
nduSluS mere Luz SOlnt lllle. lue DISl
bad case will serve for an example,"
Mayberry shuddered. He imagined he
beheld Irene Atherton's face looking Mt
him. He beheld the reproachful look in
her sad eyes. Then he recovered his self
possession and decision.
Admitting it was mans deed. Ad
hitting that Atherton was in the house
that evening, it does not follow that he.
committed the murder"
Not necessarily" said Dunn. at is a
coincidence, and might be explained
away"
Nickerson looked from the detective to
his friend, then said, slowly and with rare
deiberation:
II see. We had better talk this matter
over very carefully and quietly. We must
make no mistakes-leave no room for
misapprehcnsons."
Exactly what l was going to say"
said Mayberry.
"Mayberry, tell Dunn all you know"
WhereupOn Mayberry briefly related
the facts as they fell under his own OBJ
servation, not emitting the marks on
Grips neck. The detective paid due at
tention to the narrative.
What 90 you think now? the lawyer
asked.
1T puts different light on the matter
but it only confuses. 1t don't help to
straighten things out. We are running
of on another track, that's all"
1T may be the only track-the real
track" said the lawyer.
"EIow are We to know which is the
right track?"
why, by showing Grip had an object
in view; that ne pursued course of ac-
tion warranting the belief that he had
wronged one person; that he is man
who would not scruple to commit crime
whereas AthertOn has always borne a
good reputation"
You can do thisT'
I'VE can" said Mayberry.
"Mayberry," said Nickerson, 1--WE had
best tell Mr.. Dunn the story of Ather-
toms patent"
Mayberry again related the facts in a
concise manner. The detective listened
with evident interest. When Mayberry
ended, the detective said suddenly:
This is the most important of all. II
will help us to get at the truth. You say
you beheld woman accost Gripp in the
evening? Could you describe her genera
appearance-dres
"She was dressed in black, or some
thing that looked almost black. She i'm
pressed me somehow as a middle-agcC
woman"
when Grip paused near the news
stand. he did not have any excuse 70
e standing thereY
r 'Ile avoided observation, ! thought
and made sure no one was near when h
, entered the house"
you are sure he entered it?'
Positive"
"Now-the shadows ON the curtain
, you felt there was something"
= IL could not leave the spot; for som
a minutes, | suppose siX or maybe more,
= watched for the shadow"
Gentlemen" said the detective, slow
ly, II think the murder was committe
a then. I'll give you my reason. The won
e an, it is now pretty certain, was killed i
the evening. The man whose hand NJ
Mayberry saw raised maybe only intenC
;, ed to strike her. Why? Because, il h
t had meant murder at first. he would hay
held something in his hand, After L