The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-25

SlAI eyes OF a cream SnGNeA man Bc-
tween 40 and So quietly dressed in
professional attire. Before he even
glanced at the man on the floor he
stepped over 10 her side and took the
poker from her.
Forgive me. madame" he said
stiftiy. but in such a case as this IL Is
better that nothing in the room should
be disturbed until the arrival of the
police. You have been burning paper,
1 see
Are YOU a detective or a doctor p"
she asked calmly. DO you need me
to remind you that your patient is
bleeding 10 death2"
He dropped on his knees by the
mans side and made a hurried ex-
animation.
Who tied this scarf here? % he ask
ed. looking up.
I did Anna answered. 4 hope
that IL has done no harm
He would have been dead before
now without IT, the doctor answered
shortly Get me some brandy and my
beg"
IL was nearly half an hour before
they dared ask him the question.
VIII he liver"
The doctor shook his head.
II Is very doubtful" he said. You
must send for the police at once. you
know. You, sir" he added. turning 10
Brendon, had better take my card
round 10 the police station III Werner
street and ask that Detective Dorling
be sent round here at once on urgent
business
rs it necessary TO send for the po-
lice ?" Anna asked.
Absolutely" the doctor answered,
and the sooner the better. This is a
case either OF suicide or murder. The
police are concerned IN it in either
event"
Please go then. Mr.. Brendon."
Anna said. You viii come back,
won't you?"
He nodded cheerfully.
of course 1 will" he answered.
The doctor and Anna were left
alone Every moment or two he bent
over his patient. He seemed TO avoid
meeting Anna's eyes as much as pos
sible.
Does he live here?" he asked pres
emily.
Far away7"
I have no idea" Anna answered.
Who is the tenant OF these rooms?"
he inquired.
You viii have no objection to his
remaining here?" he asked. a move
OF any sort would certainly be fatal"
"Of course not" Anna said. Had
he better have nurse? I viii be re-
sponsible for anything OF that sort"
If he lives through the next hour"
the doctor said. 7 will send some one.
Do you know any OF his friends2 Is
there any one for whom We ought to
send"
I know very little Of him beyond his
name Anna answered. L know moth
ing whatever OF his friends or his
home. He used TO live in a boarding
house in Russell square That is where
I first knew him"
The doctor looked al her thoughtful
y. PERHAPS for the first time he real
lied that Anna was by no means an or
binary person. His natient was dis
tinctly Of a different order of life. It
was possible thai his first impressions
had not been correct.
Your name, 1 believe. is -"
'Pellissier.' Anna answered.
Allow me-" the doctor said. "to give
YOU a word OF advice, Miss Pellissier.
A detective viii be here in a few min
utes 10 make inquiries into this affair.
You may have something TO conceal,
you may not. Tell the whole truth. It
always comes out sooner or later.
Don't try TO shield anybody or hide
anything. Il is bad policy
Anna smiled very family.
I thank you for your advice" she
said. 4 can assure you that it was
quite unnecessary I know less about
this affair perhaps than you suppose.
What I co know I shall have no hesi-
tation in telling any one who has the
right 10 ask"
Just so" the doctor remarked drily
And IL I were you would keep away
from the fire"
Brend0n reappeared, followed by a
tall, thin man with a stubbly brown
moustache and restless gray eyes. The
doctor nodded TO him CURLY.
Good evening. Dorling." he said.
Before you do anything else I should
advise you 70 secure those charred frag-
ments Of paper from the crate. I know
nothing about this affair, but some one
has been burning documents"
The detective went down on his hands
and knees. With delicate touch he res
cueS all that was possible Of them, and
made a careful little parcel. Then he
stepped briskly 70 his feet and bent
over the wounded man.
shot through the lungs" he re-
marked
The doctor nodded.
Bad hemorrhage." he said. 'I am
going TO fetch some things that viii be
wa ed If he pulls through the next
hour. I found him lying like this. the
bleeding partly stopped by this scarf.
else he had been dead by now"
The doctor glanced toward Anna.
Considering his convictions, he felt that
his remark was a generous one An
mas face, however, was wholly impas-
sive-
He took up his hat and went The
detective rapidly sketched the appear
ance Of the room in his notebook and
picked UP the pistol from under the
table. Then he turned to Anna.
Can you give me any information
as 10 this affair ?" he asked.
Il will tell you all that I know"
Anna said. My name is Anna Pellis-
sier, sometimes called Annabel. I am
engaged to sing every evening at the
Universal music hall. This mans
name is Montague Hill. l saw him
first few months ago at Mrs. Whites
clearinghouse in Russell Square. He
subjected me there to great annoyance
by claiming me as his wife. AS a mat
ter Of fact, had never spoken to him
before IN my life. Since then he has
persistently annoyed me. A few nights
ago he fired pistol at me at the Uni
versal.' and was bound over 10 keep
the peace. Ever since then, however.