The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-13

'heSult Oh secret inquiry III oWOSSo.
~. NJ. very intimate with schoolmate
who has since died. Often rode to-
gether; once gone a long time. This
was just before V. NJ. left school for
good Date same as that on which
marriage occurred in n town twenty
miles distant. Bride, Antoinette Moore,
groom, w. Pfeiffer of Denver; witness,
young girl with red hair. Schoolmate
had red hair. Had V. VI. a middle in
itial, and was that initial a. z"
We all looked at each other. This
last question was one none Of us could
answer.
"Go for Mr. jeffrey at once" ordered
the ma or, land let another one of you
bring Miss futile. No word to either
Of what has occurred and no hint OF
their possible meeting here
1t fell to me to fetch Miss futile. /
was glad of this, as it gave me a few
minutes by myself in which to COM
pose my mind and adjust my thoughts
10 the new conditions opened up by
the amazing facts which had just come
to light. But beyond the fact that Mrs.
Jeffrey had been answerable for the
death which had occurred in the libra
1.y at the time of her marriage-tha in
the words of the district attorney, she
had come to her husband with blood on
her hands-my thoughts would not 20.
Confusion followed the least attempt
TO settle the vital question of how far
Miss Tuttle and Mr.. Jeffrey had been
Involved in the earlier crime and what
the coming interview with these two
would add TO our present knowledge.
in my anxiety TO have this question an
ewered l fastened my steps and was
soon at the door of Miss Tuttle's pres
ent dwelling place.
1 doubt If she noticed my agitation
She was too much swayed by her own.
advancing upon me in all the uncon-
scious pride OF her great beauty, she
TREMENDOUSLY remarked:
You have "a message for me. Is it
from headquarters. or has the district
attorney still more questions to ask"
IL have a much more trying errand
than that" / fastened to say, with
some idea of preparing her for an ex-
perience that could not fail TO be one
bf exceptional trial. For reasons
which will be explained TO you by
hose in greater authority than myself
you are wanted at the house where
where / could not help stammering
Under the light of her melancholy eyes
-"where 1 saw you once before"
lamely concluded.
THE house in Waverley avenue?"
khe objected wildly. with the first signs
bf positive terror l had ever beheld in
her
nodded. dropping my eyes. What /
Fall had to penetrate the conscience of /
his woman?
Are they there-all there?" she pres
ently asked again. 1.-The police and
md Mr.. Jeffrey?"
Madam" l respectfully protested. |
my duty is limited to conducting you |
10 the place named. A carriage is wait |
ing. May / beg that you will prepare I
yourself to go at once to Waverley ave-
bue?"
For answer she subjected me to /
long and earnest look which / found 1t |
Impossible to evade. Then she hasten /
pa from the room. but with very I'M
steady steps.
When she returned ready for her ride /
his change in her spirits was less OBJ
kervable. and by the time we had /
Eeached the house in Waverley avenue
bhe had 80 far regained her old courage /
rs to move and speak with the calm
hess of despair if not of mental seren-
ty.
The major was awaiting us at the
loor and bowed Cravely before her
heavily yelled figure.
Miss Tuttle," he asked. WITHOUT any
preamble. the moment she was well in
side the house, may l inquire of you
here, and before | show you what will
Excuse us for subjecting you TO the dis
ress of entering these doors, whether
your sister, Mrs. Jeffrey had any other
name or was ever known by any other
name than that of Veronicai''
"She was christened Antoinette as
well as Veronica. but the person in
whose memory the former name was
given her was no honor to the family.
and she very soon dropped ii and was
pnly known as Veronica. oh, what
have l done?' she cried, awed and
frightened by the silence which follow
ed the utterance of these simple words.
Before any of us were quite ready to
bpeak, tap at the door told us that
burbin had arrived with Mr. jeffrey
Facing the small group clustered in the
dismal hall fraught with such unutter-
hbIt aSStNAilAbi>s Ht EARNESTLY HIaNtd
"Do not keep me in suspense. Why
Inn I summoned here?"
You are summoned TO learn the
nurderous secret of these old walls.
md who ii was that last made use of
{. Do you feel inclined TO hear these
"Details from my lips, or are you ready
o state that you already know the
means by which so many persons, in
lines past as well as in times present,
nave met death here? We do not re-
huire you to answer u.s.
II know the means" he allowed, rec
Pgnizing without doubt that the crisis
Pf crises had come and that denial
would be worse than useless.
"Then IL only remains for us TO ac-
huaint you with the identity of the
The major
II "a | | |