The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-02-03

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| the fact that Mack worth had been un-
able to trace George Bostock's move
| ments from his leaving Mrs. Dum-
| bartons presence until his return to
Herschel Mansions early In the morn-
| ing, and with the, further discovery
| that t was his habit, and probably had
| beei for some time before the tragedy.
20 s'end portion of every night
| wat,aing the authoress's house, led the
! Inspector to believe his suspicious of
| Bostock We're just And with the hope
of furthermore confirming his opinion
| from observation of Bostocks manner
and perhaps from the drift of his con-
| VerSatiCn, MackWorth had resolved to
| call upon him.
The news of Mezza's death gave the
| inspector the opportunity he sought,
and for the purpose he had in view he
| decided that he might best use that OPP
portunity by assuming a hopeless view
of Mrs. Dumbarton's case, even favor
| ing, if necessary, the idea of her guilt.
! With his stout figure encased in a
tightly buttoned frock coat, his clean
shaven, mobile face full of intelligence,
his swift moving eyes observing his
surroundings, Mackworth awaited the
publisher When the latter entered
with his distracted manner and gloomy
i air. the little man arose and bowed. n
Il have ventured to disturb you, sir,
he began, that l might tell you of q
ulSSoNcl disappearing uASNoNSA
| have made in the case which interests
us both"
you have not disturbed me-" an
swered George Bostock. But l think
l have already heard your news. Sit
| down."
| After ALL" said the inspector, his
eyes watching the publishers face, the
Italian was not the man who killed
| David Dumbarton."
81 know, know" responded Bostock
irritably.
you know" exclaimed Mackworth.
| with emphasis on the last word.
LAS told you. l have already heard
the news
From Mrs. Dumbarton?"
Yes" Bostock replied, seating him.
self with an air of WEAKNESS
When l brought her the news this
morning she was in desperate state,
for she sees how black her case is.
and has little hope left" remarked the
inspector, shaking hio head with q
melancholy air.
but surely, surely, sir, you have
some clew?" exclaimed Bostock, rous-
ing himself. Is
II may say, sir, sbetween us, that I
have none," replied Mackworths with
impressiveness.
None" repeated Bostock, his face
ghastly. There must be some clew.'.
"Why?" the inspector asked eagerly.
because there was man stabbed
in the open roadway, outside the house
in which he took refuge; stabbed by
some one he had auarrelled with,
| wronged or insulted, and
And" said Mackworth, as the pub
Usher suddenly paused.
And there must be some clew forth (
coming
Are you sure Dumbarton's death
happened as you describe 1t, sir?''
Certain? No, how can be certain?'
. | RnStOck said cOntrO1linP hi9 aycita~
ment. But in what other way can
you account for the murder?"
Mackworth hesitated a second before
deciding on the course he would pur-
sue, then leaning forward he said, low
ering his voice to an impressive key.
What | say must remain quite se.s
cret."
"a secret" replied Bostock. his face
full of anxiety. You may trust me-
"Well, shouldn't be surprised If the
In reality guilty"
mo, no." exclaimed the publisher in
hot Indignation, II know she is not"
You do?" said Mackworth quickly.
and with searching glance at the face
before him. it's eyes full of horror. its
lips twitching from suppressed emos
ton.
q will stake my life that she is in.
nocent."
Your nfe?"
d
change from excitement to calmness
coming over him, my life."
But you have not heard my explain
alton"
Nor do I want to hear It"
ut may be reasonable for all that"
persisted the inspector. doctors tell
as there are persons Of highly wrought
nervous temperaments, who, under the
influences of drugs or mesmerism, are
guilty OF acts that they would be in
| In re tn, 1T,
and Of which they retain no memory
on recovering their proper state OF
consciousness. Now Mrs. Dunn
BARTON"
your theory is impossible in this
case" interrupted Bostock in decisive
IitOne.
But for weeks before the tragedy
, she had been in the habit Of taking a
drug against which her doctor had re-
peatedly warned her. That's fact
that can't be denied"
And | tell you that such thing as
, her guilt is incredible, impossible"
, and yet, sir it's the only feasible
explanation Of this mystery"
, DO you really mean that?'
Judge Of the circumstances yourself.
She is found one night with the knife
in her hand which had taken the life OF
the man at her feet-the man she had
every reason to detest and fear Inyes-
tigation shows he had but one enemy,
| WHO uleu SOlle hours In ADVANCE OF
him."
Surely you haven't exhausted your
inqu!ries?"
II fear have"
But there may--nay. there must be
others who desired Dumbarton,s
death; others whom you don't sus-
pect," said Bostock. his excitement
threatening to overcome his enforced
caimness.
do you think SOP"
Surely you will agree with me, for
Mrs Dumbarton is innocent. J. know
she is innocent"
But can you prove it, sir?"
Bostock looked up quickly, as if thu
question startled him, then hurriedly
rising from his chair he walked to the
other end of the room. Mackworth
watched his every movement closely.
putting his own construction on the
agitation the publisher endeavored in
vain to conceal.
Because If you can't" said the in
spector in cold, severe, far-reac ching
voice. 1T will go hard with her; can.
not see how the jury can fail to find
her guilty.
No comment was made upon this
plain statement; he who heard n
turned his back upon the speaker. and
h for some seconds there was silence in
the room.
: Presently Bostock with a da+ern,tr,, !.