Mexico Missouri message., 1906-01-18

Wolhdh ever saw. anu, ha0B me, II
| shouldn't dislike to be in position
dependent on her and incur her enmi.
ty. She would sting like serpent the
man who attempted to throttle her."
The fair woman with the Medea
face did not remain long the subject
Of his critical contemplation. Slowly.
and in the same thoughtful attitude,
she began with firm step to ascend the
staircase, and soon vanished from
John Lamm's sight and hearing.
That gentleman rapidly came to the
conclusion that there was nothing
further to be gained by longer remain.
ing in his precarious hiding place. In
stead of leaving by the door, he first
made sure that the coast was clear,
and then got out of the window and
walked rapidly around the corner to
the front entrance.
He pulled authoritatively at the bell.
After a short delay the summons was
answered by the still tremulous
Moffett.
81 am sorry, man." said Mr.. Lamm,
"but l must see the ladies after all.
Give my card to Miss Harwood,
please"
Moffett accepted the proffered niece
Of pasteboard, on which was engraved:
LEVI DILLINGHAM;.
Police Detective.
Aunt Comfort responded, breathless
and asthmatic. She invited John
Lamm into the. reception room, With
quiet dignity the detective proceeded
to apologize and to reassure her He
regretted the necessity which forced
him to call at such a time, and en-
larged upon the great service she
might do the cause of justice by maxi
ing him acquainted with whatsoever
facts of any possible bearing on the
motive for the murder that might be
in her possession. 1t was useless. At
another time the amiable housekeeper
might have filed his notebook with
unconscious revelations; but there is a
point beyond which garrulousness be-
comes complete idiocy, and it is little
exaggeration to say that the terrible
events of the day had carried Aunt
Comfort over the limit. There was ab-
solutely nothing to be got from her
but tears and gasps and Intersections.
The idea of calling upon Mrs. Stack
house to present the case was an in
spiration to her and a relief to the
patient Lamm.
1t is true that he awaited the COM
ing of Marion with some computations
and no little curiosity. The young
lady entered the room haughtily, and
looked al him in a distant, unemo-
tional way.
What do you wish, sir?"
Pardon me-" said Lamm, humbly
but respectfully, as he stood before
her, turning his hat in his uneasy
hands. "The affair is a mystery. We
desire to arrest the guilty parties.
Often the relatives in such cases have
strong reasons for suspicious"
1--WE have none," returned Marion,
decisively.
No, indeed" corroborated Aunt
Comfort. The idea of such thing!"
You are utterly unaware of any
possible motive for this crime?"
Intentionally Detective Lamm cast a
keen, searching glance full into the
face of the stoical young woman. His
idea was to intimidate rather than to
observe her, for he had a furtive way
of scrutinizing people without appear
ing to do so. 1t was ineffective. Not
even her eyelashes quivered.
Utterly" she said, firmly. "And
now, sir, are you satisfed?"
Unfortunately, no." said Lamm,
glancing uneasily at Aunt Comfort.
Gould would it be presumptuous
in me-to ask for a private inter-
view?"
Marion drew full breath. There
was a slight culver as she did so,
which seemed to indicate that her
calmness was tho result of rigid re-
pressions Of her spontaneous emotions.
She motioned Aunt Comfort towards
the hall.
We'll, sir?" she said as soon as they
were alone. John Lamm saw that she
had no intention of prolonging the in
terView. He resolved to break the ice
Of her reserve with one fell crush.
Tell me-" he said, without preface,
VINO is Mario MoysO%
She could not repress the start nor
the teu-tale blush that rose into her
cheeks But she made a brave effort
which aroused John Lamms unspoken
why do you ask?" Only this in a
faint voice, as a response to this unex-
pected bombshell
Because" he said, body, there is
reason to believe that such a woman is |
mixed up in this affair"
"Ahl she returned coldly, 81 know
of her. Really, Mr.. officer.
you must excuse me If you have moth
ing more to say than this. The occa-
sion is too grave-too solemn. You
should so to Mr. Norths partner, Mr.. |
He can tell you more
about it than anybody else"
"She is one woman in ten thou