Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-01-28

lance. They we're about giving up the
I search for clue when one of the mer
brought forward haIf-written letter
which he had found under marble
console where 1t had futtered and lay
concealed.
They read 1t. It ran:
My Dearest Dollie: How glad was
to receive your letter! But you must
not address any more care of nv law.
yer. 1t Is dangerous. ] explained al
this to you long ago. CT course iu.l
you dearly, but cannot acknowledge
you Just yet. Every one else in this
Hristocratic old barracks Is asleep long
ago, but appreciate it, pet!-am up
writing to you. | tried two cigars and
a chapter Of a story; but no! they will
not act as a sporific; but perhaps
this may. 1t is hard work-confound-
eddy hard work-making love, Dollie.
or course, ! mean on paper.
There, don't get mad! If you were
here your own self it would be differ
ent. In fact, everything here is slow.
That is about the only word which ap-
plies to the case in question. They are
oil more or less In the dumps over the
loss Of their precious son and heir
Oh they're downright patricians, you
know--the genuine article, as different
from the bogus specimens as chalk is
from cheese, if they do put on an
Internal lot Of style and dignity. You
should have been here last night, pet.
You would have enjoyed it. There
was the devil to pay and no pitch hot
stalked into the historic library as
unconscious as lamb, and--Hark--"
There was a series of blotted splash
es, and then the epistle recommended.
broke off at the cry Of 'Fire!' AS
the rest OF the folks are scurrying out,
4 guess III stay here and talk to you.
dare say they will have 1t out within
FIVE minutes and it Is disappointing,
you know, to see a fire put out. have
drawn the curtains wide and there is a
fine view of the feeble flames from my
desk as write. All. these gaping rus
tics, how they come crowding UP the
avenue They think they are in for
big free show. Well, as was about to
tell You, whoever do you suppose l
walked right into but Laurie I.isle?
Think Of it! OF course l denied her,
and fought it out and gained the battle,
as always do; but 1t was tight
squeeze. She threatened vengeance
We geance very dramatically, and all
that sort
But here the letter ended. There
was an indescribable chirographieal
grimace. a blot, red streak and splat-
ter of blood.
When they had finished perusing the
epistle, for awhile, at least, no one
spoke.
Then the chief of police looked up
sharply.
Who is she Of whom he speaks
she whom he met here the evening be-
fore last--she who threatened ven
gaance-who is she?"
There was young woman" DR..
Adams began. "who arrived here quite
mysteriously several weeks ago, and
who, believe, departed just as mys-
.teriously.
The official investigation had not yet
thoroughly begun, SO Cyril Darlington,
passing along the corridor. paused at
the fateful words SO lightly spoker.
and looked in at the open door.
you must not drag her through this
mire, because she Is poor and friend
less. She was lady and guest Of
Biaekcastle, and as such her name
must be held a.ove the coarse breath
of calumny or reproach."
MIR. Darlington, was only saying
Here, read this letter."
But he declined the offered CORE
spondence with hasty aversion.
No. do not care to. Hark!"
The brazen knocker below was beat
ingsa summons;
They could hear the doors opened.
Then came the sound of footsteps
hastily ascending the stairs.
sGodabless us, Mr.. Darlington. what
does all this maan?" cried Mr.. Bowers,
sxcitedly, Murder at Blackcastle! It
sounds Incredible. We, came down on
the lightning express the moment the
news reached us-that is, as soon as
possible after the news reached us--I
always like to be exact. Mr.. Stack
his fame has probably preceded him
gentleman, the great Mr.. Stack, detec-
tive from Scotland yard!''
The great Mr. Stack, q little, quiet,
old-faced, gray-eyed man, bowed to
those present, and then walked over
to where the corpse lay and stood look.
Ing down upon 1t, curiously. critically,
but Ia silence.
Mr.. Bowers came over and stood be-
side the detective.
Poor Bracken!" he said. and nod
ded In reflective commits Ion poor
Brackeni I wonder if she had any,
t1hiss 10 do with this AFFAIR.""
Who r. soTue one ques toned.
81 ssyvhy, of course, { he said, without
191ancing up, that girl that inposter5
aurence Lisle!
ctiAPTE xSxiii.
4 aurence Lislei /"
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