davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

"T'0the r'S killed !" he whispered hodrSeiU
laid a hand upon his shoulder. WHATS
the matter, jack" he asked. You're
looking regularly done up
Urysdale turned with start.
"Oh. it's you, is it, Dickie? Whe.e Is
Grace"
"J'pstairs with my Wife
"Wherc has she been this EVENING""
shes been down here talking with
Tremaine most of the time-but, say,
hold on. What alls the felow?' he
ucmandcd. staring after the other as
he bounded up the stairs. well, that
beats me!'
He was still staring when Tremaine
appeared at the landing and came
down, a packet of letters in his hand.
81 want to put these in the bag" no
said, $50 they'll get off by the early
mail
ITS On the rack out there" Delroy
replied, and the other went past him
into the outer hall. He was back in a
moment
That's Il good evenings work. he
said. with sigh Of satisfaction. But
/ what's the matter? You look as though
you'd seen a ghost"
'Drysdale came i'll just now looking
as though he'd seen one, all nerves and
raw flesh, and stalked upstairs as
mad as a hornet about something"
/ "Ah," said Trcmaine with just the
/ flicker of an eyelash, land yet one
would have thought that walk
through the silence Of the night would
calm his nerves. There comes the
RAIN
There was hiss, a fash. and great
crash Of thunder split'the firmament
apart ana shook the house to its foun-
dationS They could hear the rain
dashng " sheets against the windows
That's a storm for sure. Listen to
the wind. Drysdae got in just III
time. But never saw him like that
before, Something extraordinary must
have happened to him. He's been out
of humor for a day or two. wonder
now. If he was caught in that stec
crash? BY Joyc. I did hear him say
that he'd bought n block Of stock Oh
margin
A CLEAN of triumph indescribable
flashed into Tremaine's eyes.
That may explain it, he said, witt
studied carolessncSs.
"Yes-but it doesn't excuse it. If 6
man can't keep his temper when he
loses he hasn't any business to specu
late. Hello, who's that?'
Some one was pounding at the outer
door. Delroy strobe TO it and threw
back the bolt. 1t flew open and young
Graham staggered rather than walket
into the hall, hatless, coatless, soaked
with rain, lis eyes staring, his face
rigid with horror
Good heavens. man; what is it."
cried Delroy.
He opened his mouth, but only low
rumbling came from his throat
Come" criea Delroy sharply. "Bt
a man! What Is it?'
BY mighty effort Graham pulled
himself together
Fathers killed. he whispered
hoarsely.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

through Drysdale felt the perspra-
ton start across his forehead He
wished to cry out, but could not
A door at the farther end Of the hall
opened, and Delroy came in. The
bonds loosened. and Drysdale fed back
to his room. He needed to compose
himself. After dinner he at once
sought Grace.
Grace" he said gently, "as I was
pened to see you and Tremaine stand
ing here together. and, without intend
ing to. | overheard i sentence which
stopped me up there at the turn of the
stair"
She turned away from him, and her
arms dropped YEARLY by her sides.
your proper course Is to inform
Delroy," he continued doggedy, BRAY
ing the certainty of offending her COR
better still, will, and then kick that
scoun1rel out. Why did you permit
him to talk to you the way he dld?"
II can't tell you she answered
hoarscly.
bUl | nave Il IlSul W hllON.
Eyes suppose you have. Why not
break it on? Then you won't need tc
worry about me any more
He started from his chair at the
words, but controlled himself and sal
down again.
do you mean that you want t.
break it OFF, he demanded in culver
ing voice. DO you mean that you car
possibly care for that
She turned upon him with blazing
eyes.
"Do you insult me too2'
For an instant he sat motfonless a'
stone Then he fell at her knees anC
caught her hands and covered their
with kisses.
Listen" she said, bending over him
instantly moved, instantly tender
"You told me last night that you trust
ed me-"
II do with my whole soul"
And Kate. the queen, needs you, as
she said she would. Only I must have
time to think. TO straighten out thu
tangle. Tomorrow will tell you-to
morrow night-till them
He seized her and drew her down t
him and kissed her on the lips.
I've never doubted you" he said
"And I'll fight the battle of my life be
fore give you up"
At the farther end of the hall a doc
closed very, very softly.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

come nearer, gentlemen" he said,
his face flushed with excitement. II
want you to witness tat he has some
ting between his fingers"
They stopped and looked as he indi-
Gated They could see that the hand
clasped tightly some small dark OBJ
ject.
Let us SEE what 1t ls," Heffelbower
continued, and bent back the stiffening
fingers.
The object fell out into his hand lie
held 1t up in the glare of the light so
that all might see 1t was q button
with n little shred of cloth attached.
"1f we can find tie garment tat It's
came FROM said the coroner trum-
phantly, turning it over and looking at
1t, 1--WE shall probably find tie murderer.
1t ISIS a good clew"
He placed the button carefully in his
pocketbook and turned to the window.
Il t'ink it ISIS light enough" he said.
ito take look at tie scene of tie
! crime. | shall ten return to Babylon"
They went together down the
pier to the spot where Graham had
fallen The rain had washed away
nearly all the blood stains His rife
lay on the pier beside the chair in
which he bad been sitting. The chair
was overturned.
"But tie wind may have done tat"
| Eaid the coroner when Delroy pointed
/ out that tho overturned chair suggest
cd a struggle. cor maybe he knocked il
/ over when he fell Let's have look
/ at tat little cage"
He pulled UP the rope. The lid of
/ the cage was open but it did not seem
to be injured.
Maybe tie waves proke it open,
suggested HeffelboWcr.
They couldn't have done that OBJ
jectcd Delroy. See; here's how ii
fastened"
He closed the lid and snapped into
place three sma, but very strong
hooks. which locked automatically.
Iefrclbower opened his lips to say
something more then changed his
mind. closed them and turned away
with q significant smile. lie examined
the knots in the rope, the pier, the wa
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27


ESxEs3 cared to be with either of
them. for his Indignation at what he
considered Delroy's laXness in enter
tanning man whose conduct was so
mysterious and whose past was so
little known had not in the least di-
miniShed, and his dietrust of Ire
maine had grown stronger with the
passing hours. The prospect of day
alone in the house was intolerablp,
ana he felt that Grace Croydon would
wish to avoid him till the hour of ey-
PLANTATION vas Mt hand.
Indeed, the sudden antagonism Er
had developed toward Dclr0y would
have suggested a permanent return to
town had not point OF honor, as Il
We're, compelled him to stay. He could
not at this moment, desert Grace Croy
don to the machinations Of Tremane
He must save her If he could, not only
Cor his own sake, but for hers.
1t was this gloomy meditation which
occupied him on the trip in to the city
for his companions, immersed in the
details of the days business. left him
severely to himself. He badc them
goodby at the ferry and, in sort OF
desperation, went down to the Record
Office and asked for Godfrey. He fell
that he was being swept Into waters
beyond his depth. Gao ha needed 2
strong, cool hand TO pluck him bar',
to safety, but he found that Godfrcy
was out of town.
Delroy and Tremainc went at once
| to the Wal! street office where the con
ference concerning the railroad WAS T.
| take place. Memories Of that confer
ence still survive in the street. vile
| legends concerning it-h0W a compan!
| Of conservative, cold hlooded, stec! gut
ted capitalists were worked upon
bamboozieL hypnotizel, wrought up t,
enthusiasm over project which Wa.
proved ~ the subsequent reports OF
engineers to be about a7 practicable as
n bridge 10 the moon Even yet IL,
| glamour Of that meeting endurcs wild
some of the investors who we're pres
emf, and they are still convinced that ;
railroad in Martinique would pay {
fabulous return. Tremalne set for III,
street new standard OF "smoothness
and one which has mover been up
preached.
The conference was over by noon
and Tremaine announced his intention
Of RETURNING TO Edgomcre by the frs
train.
I'm feeling a little worn out by th'
mornings exertons,' be explained
and he really looked ii, when az,
you coming our
Pm going up TO TiIany's first" Del
roy answered, "and have q talk wit
them about my wlfe's necklace. | lef
it with them Saturday. II they advis
a sea bath, III bring it along with nc
and Well see what virtue there is /!
the treatment
perhaps there isn't any" said TIE
maine, "or it may be that Tiffany ha
some better method"
We'll, I'll know by tonight" au
nelroy held up Il becgoning finger to
passing cab. "Goodhy till then"
Delroy and Drysdalc returned t,
gcther Oh the O'Clock train and hui
:iel into the house. They found Trt
maine lOunglng in great chair In IL
hall, and If the glance which Drysdal
shot ut him was electric with susplc!o
he had Mt least self control enough I
restrain any i'll considered or hal
words. But he blamed himself IN
lerly for not having forcaeen the pc
/ n-,lxr 4
reason for which he guessed at once,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

AS though in answer to the thought,
dark figure appeared suddenly on
the walk strede up the steps and open
ed the door. 1t was Drysdale.
He took off his coat threw it to
Thomas and went on into the inner
hall, where he stood rubbing his hands
before the fire, with face so hope
less, fierce, despniring, that Delroy was
fairly startled.
"You may 60 to bed, Thomas" he
said. Then he went to Drysdale and
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

ly, clutch1ng at the hatrack for sup.
port
ut was the lightning, l suppose"
said Tremaine at last in suppressed
voice. II knew that bolt struck some
where near"
"Lightnin' don't cave a mans head
in. does it?' asked the boy doggedly.
Delroy grabbed a raincoat from the
r" X, and Tremaine caught up another.
Across the lawn they sped, under the
trees, down to the water front, with
young Graham stumbling blindly along
behind. The little white boathouse
cleaned vivid in the glare of the light
ming. They entered and paused uncer-
tainly in the gloom
where Is hep asked DelrOy.
"Out there on tn pier" answered
Graham brokenly. "Out there where
they struck him down.
At the pier end lay dark. huddled
figure. A lightning flash disclosed the
staring eyes. the blood stained face.
Delroy, swallowing hard, gripped
back his self control.
I'VE can't leave him out here,' he
said. Perhaps there's a spark OF life.
You take the legs. III take the head
They laid their burden on the cot
which the son had occupied and stood
for moment looking down at II. The
boy seemed on the verge OF collapse
His lips were drawn, his teeth chatter
Ing The horrible sobbng did not stop
TIM I ul,n rtll
william" he said. II want you 70
show yourself man. A good deal de-
ponds on you. Remember that-re-
member, too. that with your aelp
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

4 stood looking down at the
fsgys%iS3 pistol in his hand without
ESA4SW speaking. but his face hard
ened and grew stern, so far as lay in
the power of countcnance so rubi-
cund.
II t'ink shall have to see Mr.. Drys-
dale before l go back to Babylon" he
said. but first let us try TO account
for tie presence of It's pistol in tat
boat"
How can it be accounted for?" de-
manded Delroy impatlently. Good
heavens! l tell you Jack Drysdale
never killed that man. Perhaps he was
boating yesterday. No; he was in New
York yesterday-well, Sunday, then
and had the pistol with him and left
it in the boat by mistake. How else
could 1t have got there? The murderer
wouldn't have put it there"
"Nobody's used tn boat, SIR said
William.
How do you know t'at?" asked the
coroner sharply.
Because, sir, tied it t. the buoy,
an l know my knot. It's tn same
one l jest unfastened."
Nobody went out except Mr.. Drys'
DALE, spoke up Thomas. II was In
tn vestibule till nearly midnight, when
Mr.. Delroy told me t go to bed
You saw Mr.. Drysdale come in?"
"Yes. sir, an l never saw anybody
J 20 worked up an nervous-like"
do you remember what outer gar
ment he wore!"
HE wore his raincoat, sir. helped
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27


k&&U unclouded. and the air warm
with the promise OF spring. 1t called
him in a way not to be resisted, and he
stepped out on the little balcony which
ran beneath the window; then he
caught the odor of II cigarette, and
turned to see 1renane smiling at him.
Good morning. cried Trcmaine. a
beautiful morning, isn't it? Won't you
join met"
you seem TO be an early riser" OBJ
served Drysdale, who had thought to
find himself the first astir.
ut is a habit one learns q ST Pierre.
The dawn is, there the only pleasant
portion of the day-one rises to burn
incense to it,
You have lived long at st. PIERCE
"Nearly four years.
The merest flicker of amusement
flashed across Tremaine's lips and they
finished their cigarettes in silence.
'rhey went down together to breakfast
presently, but only Deroy joined them
there, and it was not an especially
pleasant meal, despite the bright sun
at the windows and Trenaines i'm
perturbable good humor. As they
arose from table. that gentleman an
nounced his intention of going for
walk about the grounds,
Tremaine seemed 10 enjoy his walk !;
at least he did not return to the house
until nearly the hour for luncheon. At
hot hn
drive was planned for the afternoon.
which ended at the vesper service at
the little chapel at Babylon. For some
reason the drive had not been sue
cess; a certain constraint seemed to
have fallen upon the party, feeling
of unrest, Of uneasiness, which sent
them severally to their rooms as soon
as they reached the house.
Drysdale dressed Immediately What
instinct was it that told him to set his
foot lightly on the stair, or was 1t
only that he hoped to look down upon
her for a moment unseen? The soLnd
Of voices reached him. and leaning
over he saw two figures standing be-
fore the fire which the evening chill
had rendered necessary-Miss Croydon
and Tremaine. He started abruptly to
descend when he caught sentence
that made him pause.
I'm not in the least like that" Ire
maine was saying, and, though the
voice was carefully repressed, it had in
1t ring of savage earnestness. I'm
your heart you know it or you wouldn' t
you at once, boldly. because I'm sure
that | shall win. He is not worthy of
you-ln your heart you know that also
lie cannot hold you; he is too weak;
shall wrench you away. You're not
the woman to be tied to a gilded
medocrity.'
She had been leaning away from him
staring into the fire, as though charmed
Into silence by this impetuous elo-
quence. Now she stood erect and look
ed at him.
'What you are proposing to me is in
famous" she said through clinched
teeth.
''It is not in the least Infamous" he
retorted coolly. II am Offering you the
future l know you sigh for. 1t is a
future that I sigh for, too; that l have
sighed for from the first moment
saw you, and which l am going to
make come true. Together we will
conquer the world. AS my wife,
"Your wife," There was scorn an
ger, fear in the words and in the glance
she cast at him.
"Certainly-my Wife" he repeated
with emphasis. eff l should prove t.
YOU
She stopped him by an imperative
gesture.
you go too far" she said. There
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

DO not push me too far. Do not rely
too much upon my forbearance. A
man capable OF any crime
finger.
SIS a man who appeals to you," he
concluded.
you strangely mistake me-" she
said in cold voice. you are reading
your own nature into me. ] would
ask no man to commit crime for my
sake. should abhor the man who
did"
He did not answer. but stood looking
ut her with gaze which seemed TO
envelop her to pierce her through and
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

"We've Just time to make the ar-
rangements before dinner" said Del
roy, and he held sup long morocco
case.
"Ah"-and Tremalne rose lazily--'so
you've brought It? Tiffany advises 1t,
them
"Yes-but come into the library, and
you shall hear 1t seems that the only
thing to be done is to immerse them
In their native element for a few days,
and the sooner it's done the better.
That's what l brought this cage for
Wen put the necklace in it and let it
down into the water at the end of the
pier. Only living sea water will do; 1t
seems to have no efficacy shut up In
vessel of any kind. I asked about
that particularly"
/ II would suggest" put in Tremaine.
chat guard be stationed at the pier
to prevent any possibility Of danger
perhaps you're right"-and Delroy
nodded. "Graham and his boy will be
just the ones They can relieve each
other so that the time won't seem so
long"
The Grah1ms were summoned, and
they came promptly.
A single glance was enough to con
vince any one of their absolute probity.
/ The elder man was perhaps sixty years
! of age, in the very prime OF health and
strength, with a weather beaten coun-
tcuancc. surrounded by grzzled
beard: the younger one was about
twenty-five. Both showed the clean
skin and clear eyes and firm muscles
resulting from life in the open air, for
they had the care of the acres of lawn
and garden and woodland and meadow
belonging to the estate.
Dclroy held up the little cage
This string of white stones he
said, lis Mrs. Delroys pearl necklace
worth something over 100000. | put
them in this cage. close the lid and
fasten it with these little hooks. Now
Graham, these stones have lost thel
luster, and live sen waters the only
thing that will restore it. | want you
to tie rope to this cage and lower II
into the bay from the end of the pier
securing it, of course, so that 1t can
thrash around or break away. 1t will
have to stay there for three or foul
days. and during that time I'd like yor
and your hoy TO sleep at the boathouse
and see that nobody NEEDLES with it,
The two men had listened intently
with serious faces.
every well. sir" said the elder as
Delroy finished, and held out his hanC
for the cage.
Delroy gave it to him with n little
chuckle of enjoyment,
You'd better have gun with you
not that | think there's any danger
Never fear, sir" interrupted Ora
ham. We'll tend t. all that. Come on
Nilum."
Delroy watched them till Che doc
closed behind them.
81 believe Graham would say Yer,
well. sir in just that tone, if I tolt
him to burn the house down." he re
marked. We'll so down after Dime
and see how he's arranged things
And now" lie added. my nnards ar,
beginning to clamor vigorously for Re
freshnent"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27
CHATTER XVIII.

I~ HE horizon was gray with the
1 coming dawn, hut 1t was still
HTTfS1 too dark on the pier to see
VU anything distinctly. so they
went slowly back to the boathouse and
HeffelbOwer turned back to make a
more detailed examination of the body
"Dr. WISE" he asked after a mo-
ment, from which direction should you
say t'ese blows were struck"
Prom directly In 'front.'" answered
the doctor promptly.
But see he has pistol at his belt
Why did he not tefend himself? Why
should he allow himself to be beaten
DOWN."
AS he spoke he lifted one of the m,,S,
cular hands. Then. with little ex
clamation Of surprise. he bent apa e.
amined 1t more CLOSELY.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27
CHAPTER XVI.

l. tksu4
tai bar 10 success, a spirit of antag-
onism. Drysdale and Grace Croydon
maintained a careful silence, and Mrs
Delroy was so obviously depressed that
her husband was alarmed.
AS soon as the meal was over she
and her sister disappeared upstairs
while the men lighted their cigars and
strolled down 10 the boathouse to view
the preparations made hy the Grahams
for the protection of the necklace. The
night was very close, with promise of
rain unmistallable
They went through the bOathouse
without finding any one. but out on the
pier beyond Oil Graham was sitting.
gazing across the water and smoking
an odorferous pipe. Between his
knees he held Winchester repeater
and revolver butt stuck from IL case
at his side
Delroy laughed quietly as he looked
at him.
why. you're a regular arsenal he
said. You're taking it in earnest for
sure You're not going to sit out here
all night, hope"
"Willum takes his trick at midnight,
sir. He's gone over t tn house t. bring
cot an some beddn' down T. tn
oathouse. Well take turn an turn
about"
WELL" said Delroy, turning away
II see | can sleep without worrying
any over the safety Of the necklace"
AS they passed through the boat
house again they perceived young
| "Willum" busily engaged in making
up his bed on cot In one corner
Delroy nodded to him and passed on
without speaking.
Its too nice night to spend In the
house" said Drysdalc. little abruptly,
as they mounted the steps to the door.
II believe I'll so for tramp. III take
my raincoat, though. Then l needn't
hurry back"
Delroy shrugged his shoulders as
Drysdale entered the outer hall with
them and took down his raincoat from
the rack Thomas, who was stationed
In the vestlbule, helped him on with 1t,
| "Goodby," he called from the door.
"Don't look for me for an hour or two"
"All right, we won't worry" answer
ed Delroy. Though, for my part" he
added, as he and Tremaine went on
through the hall together, II prefer a
book before the fire. There's chill in
the air that strikes through one after
awhile, and Jack II soon get enough of
1t. But I'D better go up and see how
my wife's getting along. You'll ex.
cuse me?"
Certainly; and stay as long as you
like. I'm going to my room presently
myself. / have some letters to write
Delroy nodded and went on up the
stairs. Tremaine sank into one Of the
chairs before the fire and watched the
blazing logs, with an expression intent
alert.
For an hour or more Delroy SAT
alone before the fire reading. At last
he yawned, laid down his book, arose
and walked to the door. The wind was
rising; he could hear it roaring in the
trees, and every minute broad fash
of lightning illumined the clouds on
the horizon.
"There's storm coming" he said
to Thomas, who was nodding at his
post. II wonder where the devil Qrys
dale went. He'd better be getting IN
lprettX sooa"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27
CHAPTER XVII.

'R a moment no one spoke
Only the boys laborcd
breathing broke the stiffness.
lie was shlvering ConvulSlyc.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27
CHAPTER XIX.

Va IOR a full moment the coroner
4 stood looking down at the
EyssTSa pistol in his hand without
CfS\SSN speaking, but his face hard
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27
CHAPTER XIV.

EH YfOHN DRYSDALE accompa-
EH MED the other men to town
kSHsEM IN the morning, not that he
tH&SExS cared to be with either of
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27
CHAPTER XIV.

TiHEN Drysdale opened his win
" dow next morning he found
kry-y3 the sun shining from Il sky
kGx&4EW unclouded. and the air warm