The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-16

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Il will come with you," Dunstan sale
to Godfrey. who, returning to his room
hurriedly dressed himself, and ugair
and more closely is seeking some
trace of the thief, some hint of his
identity. But beyond the tossed and
tumbled state of the bed, there was nc
Sign of the desperate struggle that had
taken place.
AS he was leaving his eyes CHANGED
to fall on ar object that, lying or the
carpet near the door, family reflected
the light. He instantly stopped to pick
a long, slender needle whose point was
stained by a greenish liquid.
In a fash he remembered the evil
aence of the d%iscolored puncture per-
ceptihle in Richard Goife's throat and
the Doctors statement that his death
had been caused by an injection of pol
son, The barrister's blood ran cold as
he Instantly realized that the same fate
had been intended for himself; that
had he not been startled from his sleeE
by The OWLS screech, the same murder
ous hand would, In the same subtle
way, have taken his life.
Horror at this cold blooaed treach-
cry, fear of this unknown foe, for a
mofnent paralyzed him. Then came
burning Indignation, desire for revenge,
and a resolution never to rest until this
criminal was brought to light.
He took The needle, which none had
seen him pick up, and locked it in his
Pressing case. Dunstan was waiting
Tor him outside the door, and together
with a couple of men they began their
search Of the rooms opening off the
corridor.
Most of them were u~noccupled, but
all of them We're thoroughly searched,
then locked, and their keyes taken pos
session of by Godfrey, until they came
10 that In which Urbano slept, when nc
Key for the lock of its door could be
found. Godfrey felt convinced that the
valet had secretly removed and hidden
the key, but he was not to be thwarted,
So sending to the library for wax, the
door vas sealed.
An adjoining apartment showed
signs of having been occupied, but its
bed had not been slept in tina night.
Whose room is this ?" the barrister
asked a servant.
Mr.. Max's, sir" the man replied.
Then, for the first time. and With
. certain missiving, Godfrey rcmem-
oered that Max had not appeared in
answer to the alarm. He sought to
consult Dunstan's eyes, but they Were
turned r~esolutely from him, and his
lace gave no expression OF his opinion.
When the room had been carefully
examined and Its door locked, the next
was visited in turn. Some minutes
later as they We're about to enter an
apartment, seemingly like all the
others, Dunstan with a look of recog-
nition drew suddenly back. CHANGING
vt him interrogatively, Godfrey saw
that his face had turned to a pale,
sreenish hue II hat his eyes were
Gull of terror, on Which it struck him
that this must be the room where
Richard Goffe a met the CHASTITY fate
that but an hour ago had threatened
himself.
The scrutiny Of the bedrooms ended
without discovery of the thief or trace
IF his whereabouts and Godfrey, still
~undaunted, was about to begin his
search on the floor above where the
men servants slept, when he saw Rob-
srts coming toward him, an air of agi-
tated Importance visible in his move
ments, his eyes alert.
"Wel?" Godfrey said impatiently.
We'll, sir. all the doors We're locked
lust as l left them. and all the windows
bolted save one in the drawing room,
and that was open, wide open, sir"
"Open?" said Godfrey in surprise.
came behind his butler, his manner i'm
perturbably self-possessed. II left it
open when 1 went out for a walk"
"A walk at his hour of the morn
mgr"
Have you n objection. sir, to my
taking a walk at whatever hour /
please?' he asked doggedly.
1T seems singular" muttered Geof-
frey.
I'm what way?"
There's no need to EXPLAIN
Max, Max" called out the count,
who at that instant came from his
room where his valet had been dress
Ing him, SIS that you?"
Yes, father. DO you want me?"
No, no, my boy; but l missed you
Il have been out for a Walk"
"You-you@'' began the count. but
his voice suddenly faltering, he could
say no more.
Il was restless and feverish, and
knew exercise was the only thing that
could cure me. When l came back
found Roberts at. the window. He told
me of this Internal business
The counts lips moved as If he We're
talking to himself, his eyes stared fix
eddy, a~pprehensively, and a sudden ire
NOR shook him. Ma looked at him
f~rowEingly and turned away in silence.
a second later he returned, saying am
Who has the key"
Il have" Godfrey responded.
Il will trouble you for it," came the
peremptory demand
Your father has given me permis-
sion to the lock h doors and keep the
keys until the detectives search them
tomorrow
rs mine to be i%ncluded?" he asked,
with increasing anger.
Il told Mr.. Bysshe he was to make
no exception. My own room as we'll
as the others will be examined. You
see, If I don't object, nobody else can.
l am going to the library; will you
come with me?" said the count, in a
feverishly hurried manner.
Max gave his arm, on which Urbano
dropped behind and remained in the
corridor, his piercing eyes watching
every movement, his ears alert to
catch every word.
Godfrey, with Dunstan and the SER
wants, continued their search Of the
wing in which the latter slept, and
would have examined the adjoining
part of the house but that q great door
communicating with and separating 1t
from the part occupied by the women
was locked, according to an invariable
custom.
1t was near daybreak before the
weary and useless search ended; but
before resting, Godfrey wrote a t.,lc-
gram to New Scotland yard asking
that w of its shrewdest detectives
fntphf hn cant Oyv 81