Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-01-21

hDOuU--Ino origin Oh the lire, Or--Or
the-person who persisted there She
is too weak just now to endure fur
Their excitement"
Il have told them! The servants
and townspeople think he was a burg
lar, who had managed to secrete him
Of successfully reaching the occupied
apartments. The theory heard them
discussing, in snatches, was to the eff
feet that his lamp must have exploded
and set fire to the place. Miss Earle,
Miss Dent and VIII Warren are,
think, the only ones VINO nave any
deeper suspicion, and they are, of
course, silent!"
Thank you'll" she said, quietly.
But the words were warmly CRATE
full.
Good gracious! OF all the people
that ever-wel, you just ought to see
how funny you look!" laughed mer-
ry, familiar voice from adown the
hall.
well. you just ought to see how you
look, Baby!" called Della Dent, In
prompt response.
DO I, really?"
And she did.
She wore pretty party dress OF
scarlet surah. all billowed with dainty
valenciennes-the first thing which
came to hand in her characteristically
topsy-turvy room. On her feet were
great cloth and rubber goloshes "a mile
too large; and over her bobbing, re-
bellious curls, plumed, broad-brim-
med Leghorn sun hat.
Let US have roll-call." she sug-
gested. 'Ill be colonel!"
oh, we're all here" said Cynthia.
smiling, despite herself, at her pets
irrepressible Observation-Disclosures
We'll, to be sure, you know! First
on the list" reading from an imagin-
airy document, Lady Darlington
present; second, Cynthia, present.;
third, Mr.. Bracken-absent. Where is
Mr.. Bracken?"
"Yes," Cyril Darlington echoed,
that is so. Where is Bracken?"
Il saw him in the upper corridor
when we first rushed from our rooms
not SINCE" volunteered viii War.
rem.
Nor l." said Della: mot since
then"
I'VE must find him." Cyril cried, a
sudden nameless dread darting
through his brain. Call the servants
Cynthia seized the bell and rang it
sharply.
They came hurriedly in, in obedience
to her frat imperative command, half
a dozen well-trained servanes.
Watt" she said, as Cyril would
have ordered general search. I,et
them first-one of them-go up to his
room. He may have gone back to bed
and slept through it,
At another time they would have
paid no attention whatever to his alb.
sence; but now-now with their brains
on fire with fierce excitement-every
trifle assumed portentious Importance.
"You, James" she said to a footman
you go up to Mr.. Bracken's room
and see II he is asleep"
The man departed on his errand, NV
lady awoke YEARLY and looked around
her.
1T Is broad daylight. Let me 90 to
bed"
I'm moment" Cynthia answered.
A clatter of swift feet down the
stairs, a dash across the hall, and their
messenger stood before them. He was
dumb and trembling, and white as
death.
"Well?'' they cried. indefinable fear
ticking slow shape in every soul; but.
still he did not answer them-only
stood and stared at them in terrified
and irritating silence.
why don't you speak?" Miss Len.
nox cried. sharply. What are you
afraid OF? Is he asleep?"
The grayish daylight crept in through
the mullioned windows and fell upon
their eager, questioning, weary faces.
"Confolnd you'll" Cyril Darlington
cried, In sudden, angry impatience, and
striding up to the fellow, himself big,
splashed, dripping Titan, "are Won
deaf? Can't you" with fierce shake,
hear yourself spoken TOT Is he
asleep?"
.sAye!" the man answered. IN q
voice that was quivering shrek, '.he
is asleep asleep foreyer!''
What do you mean?" they painted.
and closed around him.
What say. He is deadi"
''Dead?''
Yes. dead! Stark IN the middle Of
his room. with cash in his throat We
could nut your hand through, an all
spiashed an sdabbled with bloodls
& nrdered z" gasped Cyril.
murdered"
CHAPTER XXI.
a Crimson Crime.