The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1904-01-28

ell of which were of no special impor.
lance. They were about giving up the
search for clue when one of the men
brought forward a halfwritten letter
which he had found under a marble
console where 1t had fluttered and lay
concealed.
They read It. II ran:
"My dearest Dollie: How glad was
% receive your letter! But you must
not address any more care OF my law
yer. II is dangerous | explained all
this &c you long ago. OF course !c"c
you dearly, but cannot acknowledge
you just yet. Every one else in this
aristocratic old barracks Is asleep long
ago, but appreciate 1t, pelham up
writing to you. tried two cigars and
chapter of story; but no! they will
not act as a sporiilc; but perhaps
this may. II is hard work-confound-
eddy hard work-making love, Dollie.
or course. mean on paper.
There, don't get mad! II you were
here your own self 1t 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
all more or less In the dumps over the
loss OF their precious son and heir.
Oh, they're downright patriclans, you
know-the genuine article as different
from the bogus specimens as chalk is
Internal lot OF style and dignity. You
should have been here last night, pet
You would have enjoyed 1t. There
was the devil to pay and no pitch hot
l stalked Into the historic library as
unconscious as lamb, and-Hark--"
There was a series of blotted splash
es, and then the epistle recommended.
II broke OFF at the cry OF Fret AS
the rest OF the folks are scurrying out,
guess I'll stay here and talk to you.
dare say they will have 1t out within
6ve minutes and 1t 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 I write. All, these gaping rus
tics, how they come crowding up the
avenue They think they are In for a
big free show. Well, as / was about to
tell you. whoever do you suppose
walked right into but Laurie Lisle?
Think of it! or course I denied her,
and fought Il out and gained the battle,
as l always do; but 1t was a tight
squeeze. She threatened vengeance
ver yeance very dramatically, and all
that sort"
But here the letter ended. There
was an indescribable autographed
grimace, blot, red streak and splat-
ter of blood.
When they had finished perusing the
4epistle, 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-
geance--who Is she?"
"Thero 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 spoken,
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
Blackcastle, and as such her name
must he held alova the coarse breath
Of calumny or reproach."
"Mr. Darlington, l was only saying
Here. read this letter!"
But he declined the offered corro-
spondence with hasty aversion.
''No, do not care to. Hark!"
The brazen knocker below was beat
ing q summons.
They could hear the doors opened.
Then came the sound of footsteps
hastily ascending the stairs.
God bless us, Mr.. Darlington, what
does all this mean?" cried Mr.. Bowers,
excitedly. Murder at Blackcastle! 1t
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-l
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, a little. quiet,
cold-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 In silence.
Mr.. Bowers came over and stood be-
side the detective.
"Poor Bracken!" he said. and nod
oed In reflective commiseration-'po
Bracken! wonder II she had any
thing to do with this AFFAIR.""
"who?" some one questioned.
"Why. OF course" he said. without
gIancing up, "that girl--that imposter
Laurence Lisle!"
CHAPTER xxxiiI.