New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-26
CHAPTER Xxx.
ISAREKS REYENGE


When all over and the book signed Isa-
bel walked across to Mr.. Rogers and held out
her hand.
You have been good friend to tonight.
God will surely bless you for what you have
done" She paused. with heightened color.
Mr.. Rogers awkwardly stammered that he
hoped she wouldn't mention it. But if the
speech was inadequate. his action made up for
1t. He took her hand and kissed 1t respect
fully It seemed that she had more to say
Il have still another favor to ask" she went
on. Il have heard since that a good woman
always keeps some tenderness for an honest
man who has once wooed her, however decid-
edly she may have said No." Isabers smile
was at once tender and anxious but it drew
response from Mr.. Rogers, who had let drop
her fingers and stood now with eyes uncom-
fortably averted.
"I want a wedding gift" said he.
"Eh?" He turned flushed face and per-
ceived that she pointing at Leicester.
'T want this man from you. VIII you give
him to me?'
For what?"
You shall see" She knelt at the prisoners
feet and began to unbuckle the strap about his
ankles-shrfnking little at first at the touch
of him. but resolutely as she conquered
her disgust.
Mr.. Rogers put down a hand to prevent her
You never mean to set him free7"
THAT is what ask" answered she, desist-
ing. but with an upturned look Of appeal.
My dear Miss Brooks he said, inadvert-
emily using her maiden NAME 'I am sorry
no, that's lie-I am jolly glad to say that It
can't be done"
why? Against whom else has he sinned.
TO injure them7'
Against good many. even If we put it on
bot barII
| another charge altogether"
What charger"
"Of having murdered the Jew Rodriguez
DID not tell you that found marked money
in his pocket?"
But he never took that money from Mr.
Rodriguez"
Mr. Rogers shrugged his shoulders. That's
for him to prove"
But know he did not" Isabel insisted
and turned to me. He never took that money
from Mr.. Rodriguez
NO. said I; at was given him last night
by Mr. Whitmore. in Miss Belcher's shrub
berry"
He is not guilty Of this murder"
NO" said I again, 81 think not; indeed
1 am sure he did not" I glanced at Archibald
Plinlimmon. who had been standing with eyes
downcast and gloomy studying the dim pattern
Of the carpet at his feet He looked up now;
his face had grown resolute.
NO" he echoed. in a strained voice; "he
had nothing to do with the murder"
why, what earth do you know" cried
Mr.. Rogers and Isabel. too, bent back on her
knees ard gaaed on him amazedy.
II there
Where, in heavens name?"
ION the roof, outside the garnet. I looked in
and the body lying
You Were on the roof-you looked in and
the body Mr.. Rogers repeated the
words stupidity automatically. searching for
speech of his own. Man alive. how you
on the roof? What were you doing there?"
I'VE were bieted three doors away" said
Archibald. and paused. 81 can tell you no more
just now"
WEI"
That man and II He pointed at Leicester
And you looked in-what else did you see?"
Mr.. Rogers's voice sharp.
That I cannot tell you
The murderer
No; not the murderer" he answered slowly.
1.-The what? Whom
~ have said that cannot tell you
But he can sirr' 1 cried reckessly. He
saw me. I had just found the body and was
standing beside II when he looked in" 1
stopped painting 1t seemed as if all the breath
in me had escaped for the moment with my
confession.
Mr. Rogers turned from to Archibald.
Il did not think him guilty 7 did not know
what TO think. And it he who helped me
to get away"
Why should he help you 70 get aWay?'
II will tell that-hut not to you. I will tell
it TO my wife.
Isabel had risen from her knees She went
to him and would have taken his hand Not
yet" he said.
Mr. Rogers eyed the rector in despair. But
the rector merely shook his head.
But confound it all, Where's the murderer
in all this?'
"Sakes alive, Isn't that clear as daylight"
interiected Miss Belcher. Didn't let him out
of window more than an hour ago? And isn't
Hodgson laundering my mare at this moment
in chase of him. See here, Jack she went on.
iudicialIv you've played one or two neat
strokes tonight: but or two neat strokes
don't make professional You'H have TO give
m this 3usticing You've no head for it,
.'Indeed?" retorted Mr.. Rogers. Then since
IT seems YOU see deeper into TINS business thah
most 90 ne narbaps you'll favor with your
advice"
with all the pleasure in life my son., SAID
the lady IT can see holes in ladder: but l
don't look deep into a brick wall, for the reason
I don't trv There's SOME secret between Mr.
r,1i1tir,r,o, and mis- boy What il is I don't
know and YOU don't know; and I've yet TO
discover that it's any business or ours. All
car. n hear about it is that Mr.. Plinlimmon