The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-02-24
THE SUN


me and yet hesitated to do So"
"You have been waiting for me quite
long time, Davis tells me. regret that
you should have done this. If you had
left word that you wished to see me, I
would have come over to you at once"
mo. wanted to see you alone
that's the reason l am here. They must
not know at home that I've been over
here, so purposely asked the man not
to announce me to your aunt"
"YOu want to see me privately" said
in low, earnest voice. "WhyH Is there
any service can render your"
eyes. A very great one," she re-
sponded with quick eagerness, "I-well--
the fact is, have summoned courage to
come to you and beg of you to help me.
| am in great distress-and / have not
single friend whom | can trust-in
whom can confde."
81 shall esteem it the highest honor
If you will trust me-" l said in deep
earnestness. 81 can only assure you that
| will remain loyal to your interests and
to yourself"
"Ah! l believe you will, Mr. Gregg!"
she declared with enthusiasm, her large,
dark eyes turned upon me-the eyes of
a woman in sheer and bitter despair.
Her face was perfect, one of the most
handsome had ever gazed upon. The
more ] saw of her the greater was the
fascination she held over me.
A silence fell between us as she sat
with gloved hands lying idly in ner lap.
Her lips moved nervously, but no sound
came from them, so agitated was she, so
eager to tell me something; and yet at
the same time reluctant to take me into
her confidence.
"Well?" l asked at last in low voice.
81 am quite ready to render you any SER
vice, if you will only command me-"
"Ah! But fear what require will
strike you as so unusual-yOu will hest
tate to act when | explain what service
require of you," she said doubtfully.
81 cannot tell you until | hear your
wishes" ! said, smiling, and yet puzzled
at her attitude.
ut concerns the terrible discovery
made up in Rannoch Wood" she said in
a hoarse, nervous voice at last. Chat
unknown man was murdered-stabbed to
the heart"
"Well?"
"Well," she said, scarcely above q
whisper, 81 have suspicious"
"Of the murdered mans IDENTIFY"
mo. OF the assassin"
glanced ut her sharply and saw the
intense look in her dark, wide-open eyes
"You believe you know who dealt the
blow~
81 have a suspicion-that is all. Only
| want you to help me, If you will"
"Most certainly" l responded "Bu
If you believe you know the assassin yo,
probably know something of the victim.
"Only that he looked like foreigner.
"Then you have seen him?" / ex
claimed, much surprised.
My remark caused her to hold hel
breath for an instant. Then she an
swered, rather lamely, it seemed to me:
: 81 saw him when the keepers brough
the body to the castle"
Now, according to the account / ha,
| heard, the police had conveyed the deat
man direct from the wood into Dunn
fries. Was it possible, therefore, tina
she had seen Olinto before he met will
his sudden endI
I feared to press her for an expla
nation at that moment, but, neverthe
less, the admission that she had seen hin
: struck me as very peculiar fact.
"You Judge him to be foreigner?"
remarked as casually as could.
From his features and complexion
guessed him to be Italian" she re
, sponded quickly, at which | pretende,
, to express surprise, 81 saw him afte
: the keepers had found him."
, Besides she went on, "the stilett,
/ was evidently an Italian one, whicl
would almost make it appear that for
eigner was the assassin"
, us that your own suspicionT