Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-11-01
GiIbeTt's Failure.
nv TROY ALLISON.

Il never knew you 10 take 30 iohb
TO wind up a 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" ne 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 desk where Mr.. Rawlton usually
hung his penwiper. The cloth had
evidently been snagged from q rough
overcoat. The man who wore the
overcoat may have escaped In several
ways, the library was o first floor back
room with windows opening into
garden. The servants had been a.
lowed to 20 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 on In
the country-so there Is nothing
nothing on earth except that small
piece OF tan overcoating for clew.
I've nearly worn II out In the last i've
months trying to get inspiration from
It-but inspiration refuses to come.
Old Rawton had no enemies, 30 far as
1 can find. He was u bachelor, and
his property was all willed to n hospi'
tai. no | can find no motive for the
crime"
The chief nodded Understandings.
You do seem up against II this
time. Gilbert" he said. but you'll win
out yet-lf anybody can. Your record
doesn't show u single failure.
Gilbert got up and liz q cigar.
It's hung ON long enough want
to devote my entire time to II for the
next month";" he said, taking his nat
and cane from the table. Il Will either
succeed or give Il up In 30 days from
now
Gilbert went to his Office and sat
down at his desk.
Miss SilvertOn. will yon 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 once
| .hne a
The girl stopped her machine sud
denly, and her typewriter letter nut
tered to the floor.
lust one second" she answered
neryously, has anything new devel
oped?"
There was q disguised despair IN
Gilbert's voice. mo- simply wan
TO look at that piece OF tan cloti
again" he growled.' Perhaps 1t has
changed color-Or-or something D!
now. Sherlock Holmes could have pu'
il under a microscope and found tht
name and correct address OF the
wearer done in India ink upon one o.
the light threads. He would have alst
been able to have explained satisfac
torily exactly why 1t had been pu
tbere-and not one Of his many ad
mirers would have doubted that 1t wal
natural thing to mark a carmen
that way. Let's have the piece o
cloth, Miss Silverton. and come nell
me look at it-maybe your woman'
intuition may DE what's needed. W.
sworn to discover the truth within y
days"
Gilbert heard a smothered exclama
tion. and turned In time to see hi
stenographer fall senseless to tn
floor.
He was by her side in an instant
bathing her forehead with water iron
the cooler. -,
Poor little girl" he said beneatl
his breath, 1--WE been brute to worl
YOU so hard during the hot weather
she's awfully delicate, anyway" II
looked at the soft brown hair clingin
with moist tendrils to her white fort
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''
won't do what. little woman? h
asked In amazement. y wouldn't 10
worlds do-anything that would oil
please you," he finished softly.
Her fingers chung to him and sll
sobbed upon his shoulder convulsivel!
You won't try to find out who al
IT, will your" she pleaded. THE
would hang me II you did,!
The detectives face turned SUDDEN
CHASTITY. 49,.
Good God!" he said hoarsely. tie
me what you meant"
She chung TO him, entirely unnerVe'
and kept Aer frightened face presse
against his coat.
81 was there-that night, she whi
pered. land have been so afraid the
would hang me-.
} Gilbert picked her up bodily iro'
!. the floor and put her In the cnair U
his desk.
~ want to know every. detail" .
said sternly. "Who did It? Not yo
Mary. o my God. not you!
! groaned. -.