Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-08

he held winning cards. He read the
bluff doctor easily, and knew that he
was disturbed.
CT must preface my remarks" he be-
gan, by the statement that 1 am not
at liberty to give you the name Of my
informant in these matters"
Are you aware, then. that you be-
come responsible should you repeat
them?"
Il am aware of no such rule" said
dolbin, AT least none that applies to
me in this instance; am most direetl0
affected, since the circumstance. IN
volve the good name of Frances Brook
In, of whom by her fathers will was,
made lifelong protector. / shall de-
tend her to the best of my ability, but
think some of her people ought to be
willing to share the responsibility. It
must not be forgotten that it is by no
| means settled that 1 shall accent the
propositions of Mr.. Brookin's remark
able will"
THAT, I must confess, had not oc-,
| cured to me-" said DIR. Brodnar.
Really? 1t has not occurred to you
that a gentleman may not be pur-
chased like so much mercha ndisef'
do you mean to insiBuate, sir. that
you did not seek to marry Frances
BROOKLYN" DR.. Brodnar arose, and the
question burst from him Indignantly;
but, restraining himself, he looked to-
wards the inner door and lowered his
4 voice, an action that did not escape his
visitors notice.
81 insinuate nothing My mother
y . y INC
but without my knowledge or consent.
L have had no chance to decline the
alliance, were so disposed. The ar
rangcnent, however, seems to me
an excellent ona and L sincerely
trust that nothing has happened or
will happen to defeat it,"
I'm the name OF God, man, VIVA {
are you driving at?"
"A man was shot night before last
upon our premises and spirited away,
whether living or dead it is not
known. Ny informant thinks he is
living"
"Who told you such a thing?" The
words came almost as a whisper from
the astonished doctor.
He was shot from a window while
In the wing-room which opens into
the garden. He was struck on the
right side of his head"
Go onl" said the physician, after
pause. and making desperate efforts
20 &c calm. "Let US see how far { il
W, chez informant Of yours LAS
he'd"
Lied? So upon the impulse of the
moment /, too, believed. But the
fame OF woman is sacred, DR.. Brod-
mar, and this morning went into
Z that room. Upon the wall in tho
rear, little out of line from the
/ window TO the chair, in which, 1t is
said, the man who was shot had been
sitting, was a bullet mark. On the
jagged edges of the hole in the plas-
ter were a few hairs and traces of
blood" Holbin unfolded little pack
age upon the table as he spoke. "Place
these under n microscope and verify
my statement" Again the doctor
was silent; but the look he gave his
visitor was so passionately threaten
ing that Holbin paused.
60 onl" again the command was
little more than n whisper.
There is but one thing more: upon
the table / found this cigar, laid aside
without having been lit"
Have you finished?" Holbin looked
up, uneasy and surprised.
"Yes"
snow what would you have of me?"
II wish YOU TO find out for me the
name of the man who was in that
room"
81 will get you his name upon one
condition"
And that is?''
THAT you win tell me the name
of the woman who fired the shot"
Holbin could not, try as lie might,
conceal the start these words pro-
voked.
Il do not know of any woman in
the case" he said.
Il know that tou do"
''Dr. Brodnarl"
Holbin sprang TO his feet with WELL
affected rage. The doctor continued:
Only a woman's tracks marked
he soil under that window at dawn
the morning after that shot was fired.
When 1 next saw the spot the tracks
had been carefully obliterated." Brod-
mar was still standing and spoke rap
idly, as though he feared that he
could not restrain himself. Suddenly
bland smile spread over his face.
The fact is" he said, "the shot was
fired at me. Does that surprise your"
Holbin's face showed that it did. "The
final attack of which Mr.. Brookin
died." continued the doctor. "was mo-
mentarily expected. spent the night
sitting in the poor girls room at her
request, to be within call, her old
nurse asleep upon the rug. You may
Deheve this or not, Mr.. Holbin, but
take my suggestion, and if you doubt
the explanation conceal your frame
OF MIND. BY the way, lift the lid
OF the box there on my table; now
compare the cigar that you found
with those in the box. You perceive
that they are exactly alike. am not
accustomed to offer proof of nv
statements, but l make an exception
In your favor, as you are almost a
STRANGER AS