Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-11-02

chair and tapped his fngertips to-
gether abstractedly.
Il never knew you to take SO long
to wind up case, Gilbert" he said
slowly.
The detective flushed slightly, and
answered with the abrupt, nervous
manner characteristic of him.
at is the most clewless case ever
tackled" he said shortly. There was
absolutely nothing-no sign-no evil
dence except that small piece of cloth
sticking to the tack on the side of
the desB where Mr. Rawlton usually
hung his penwiper. The cloth had
evidently been snagged from rough
overcoat The man who wore the
oyercoat may have escaped in several
ways, the library was first floor back !
room with windows opening into a |
garden. The servants had been al
lowed to go out for the night, and
there was absolutely no one In the
house except the man who was MUIR
dered. No one was seen entering-or
leaving--yet the pistol he was shot
with could not be found. The pave
ment left no tracks-the next door
neighbors on each side were of in
the country-so there is nothing
nothing on earth except that small
piece of tan overcoating for a clew.
I've nearly worn 1t out In the last five
months trying to get inspiration from
it--but inspiration refuses to come.
Old Rawton had no enemies, SO far as
can find. He was bachelor, and
ID oil 10, a 0or,f-
| tai, so / can find no motive for the
| crime"
The chief nodded undiEstandingly.
you do seem up against 1t this
time, Gilbert" he said, but you'll win
out yet-if anybody can. Your record
doesn't show single failure"
Gilbert got up and lit a cigar.
Its hung on long enough want
to devote my entire time to 1t for the
next month" he said, taking his hat
| and cane from the table. Il will either
succeed or give it up, in 80 days from
| now"
Gilbert went to his office and sat
down at his desk.
Miss Silverton, will you please
bring the book containing notes in the
Rawlton case" he said to his stenog-
rapher. His work had long ago placed
him upon basis that made the office
and stenographer necessity.
The girl stopped her machine sud
denly, and her typewriter letter fiut-
tered to the floor.
"Just one second" she answered
nervously, has anything new devel.
oped?"
There was a 6isgusted despair in
Gilbert's voice. "No-I simply want
to look at that piece of tan cloth
again." he growled Perhaps 1t has
changed color-or-or something by
now Sherlock Holmes could have put
1t under a microscope and found the
name and correct address of the
wearer done In India ink upon one OF
the light threads. He would have also
been able to have explained satisfac
torily exactly why 1t had been put
there-and not one of his many ad
mirers would have doubted that 1t was
natural thing to mark a garment
that way. Let's have the piece OF
cloth, Miss Silverton, and come helI
me look at it-maybe your woman's
intuition may be what's needed. I've
sworn to discover the truth within &c
days"
Gilbert heard smothered exclama
ton, and turned in time to see his
stenographer fall senseless to the
floor.
He was by her side in an instant
bathing her forehead with water from
the cooler.
Poor little GIRL" he said beneath
his breath, I've been brute to worl
you SO hard during the hot weather
She's awfully delicate. anyway" HI
looked at the soft brown hair clingini
with moist tendrils to her white fore
head.
The girls eyes few open wildly.
please say you won't do It," sh,
gasped, and her thin delicate finger
chung to him like frightened child's
Won't do what, little woman" h
asked in Amusement. 81 wouldn't TO
worlds do-anything that would dis
: / please. you,' he finished softly.
!, La Her. fingers clung to him and sh
II sobbed upon his shoulder convulsivel,
. You won't try to find out who di
it, will your" she pleaded. "The
> would hang me IL you did"
The detectives face turned suddenl
! CHASTITY
. Good God" he said hoarsely, tie
/ me what you meant"
} She chung to him. entirely unnervet
and kept her frightened face presse
against his coat.
st was there-that night" she viii
! | pered, land have been 50 afraid the
q | would hang me-"
|. Gilbert picked her up bodily frol
4 the floor and put her in the chair
d mis- desk.
- Is.a"T want to know every detail