The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-03-10
THE SUN

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laDder's quick glance caught something,
and STOPPING he picked II up and exam
ired the little object by the aid OF his
lantern.
Within his palm I saw lying q tiny
little gold cross, about an inch long,
enameled in red, while in the center was
circular miniature Of kneeling saint,
an elegant and beautifully executed lit
tie trinket which might have adorned a
lady's bracelet.
This 10 a pretty little thing!" re-
marked the detective. at may possibly
lead US 70 something. But, Mr.. Gregg"
he added, turning to me, "are you quite
certain you left the body heref'
"CertainT echoed. "Why, look at
the hole / made. You don't think have
any interest in leading you here on q
fools errand, do your
"Not at ALL" he said apologetically.
"Only the whole affair seems 30 very
inconceivable--I mean that the men, hay
ing once got rid of the evidence OF their
crime, would hardly return TO the spot
and reobtain possession Of It,"
Unless they watched me exhume It,
and feared the consequences II It fell
into your hands," / suggested.
"Of course, they might have watched
you from behind the trees, and when
you had gone they came and carried it
away somewhere else" he remarked du.
biously; "but even II they did, It must
be in this wood. They would never risk
carrying a body very far, and here is
surely the best place Of conCealment in
the whole country"
"The only thing remaining iE to search
the wood at daylight" I suggested. "If
the two men came back here during my
absence they may still be on the watch
in the vicinity"
"Most probably they are. We must
take every precaution," he said decis-
lively. And then, with our lanterns low
cred, we made an examination OF the
vicinity, without, however, discovering
anything else to furnish us with q clew.
While had been absent the body OF
the unfortunate Armida had disappeared
"A fact which, knowing all that I did,
was doubly mysterious.
The pair had, without doubt, watched
Muriel and myself, and as soon as we
had gone they had returned and carried
of the ghastly remains Of the poor
woman who had been SO foully done to
death.
But who we're the men--the fellow
with the broad shoulders whom Muriel
recognized, and the slim seafarer in his
pilot-coat and peaked CAPT The enigma
each hour became more and moro in
scrutable.
At dawn Mackenzie, with four men
made a thorough examination OF the
wood, but although they continued until
dusk they discovered nothing, neither
was anything heard OF the mysterious
seafarer and his companion in brown
tweeds.
I called on Muriel as arranged, and
explained how the body had 80 sud.
denly disappeared, whereupon she stared
at me pale-faced, saying
"The assassins must have watched us [!
They are aware, then, that we have
knowledge OF their crimei"
"Of course" said.
"Ahl "she cried hoarsely. ''Then we
are both in deadly peril-peril Of our
own livesl These people will hesitate
at nothing. Both you and ! are marked
down by them, without doubt. We must
both be wary not to fall into any trap
they may lay for u.s."
Her very words seemed an admission
that she was aware OF the identity Of
the conspirators, and yet she would give
me no clue to them.
We went out and up the drive togeth-
or TO the kennels, where her father, a
tall, imposing figure in his shooting,kit,
was giving orders to the keepers.
"Hulloa, Greggl" he cried merrily, ex.
tending his hand. "You'll make one Of
a party TO Glenlea tomorrow, won't your
Patton and Phillips are coming. Ten