The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1906-12-27
VIII.
Tells Of Something Hidden In the
Wood.


Wood.
Philip Chatter was so stunned In the
first shock of the thing that he did not
know what to say or do. Standing, as
he did, an absolutely innocent man, he
vet had time to recognize that he had
taken upon himself the identity of an
other; and stood an~swerable, by rea-
ION of that, for the others sins, in the
syes OF the world. at least.
He had no donbt. In his own mind,
that Dandy Chatter had murdered the
unfortunate girl. Her words to him.
self on the night Of his coming to
Bamberton; her reminder, to the sup
posed Dandy Chatter, Of his promise to
marry her; the mysterious appoint
ment made. for that same night, In the
wood behind the mill; all these things
seemed to point to but n conclusion.
Again. the man running as for his life
10 catch the %train-and without the
girl; her disappearance from that
hour: all these things, too, pointed,
9Th unerring finger, to the common
sordid story, ending, in an hour or
desperation, in the blow which should
rid the man of his burden.
These thoughts flashed rapidly
through his mind, even in the few sec
onds which elapsed after the other
mans hating declaration, and while
the other man still crouched at his
feet. Then the instinct of self-preser-
vation-the desire, and the necessity,
10 hide that bloodstained thing, which
seemed to point to him, innocent
h ugh he was. as surely in death as 1t
would have pointed in life swept
over him. He caught the lad by the
arm and dragged him to his feet; the
while his mind was fiercely working,
In a wild attempt to settle some plan
OF action. Even in that hour OF danger
a keen remembrance of the part he
stti had to play vas full upon him.
In his brutal roughness of voice, when
he spoke, he played that part of DAN
dy Chatter as he imagined Dandy Cha
Ter would have played 1t himself.
Get up, you fool" he cried, rough
". dGs this a time to be snivelling
here? Suppose she is dead 1t
was an accident"
Harry sadly, but ~doggedly, shook
bis head. "You won't find many to
believe that, Master Dandy" he said.
"She lies there, stabbed In the breast.
There is a trail of blood for some
Yards; she must have tried to crawl
away. and have bled to death. Master
Dandy, can't you see that she will be
found: can't you guess what they will
say, and whom they will question first?
All the village has linked your names
Tor months past"
"6he-it must be hidden whispered
Philip, weakly. "Heavens-man," he
cried. with a sudden burst OF petulant
anger, why do you stand staring like
that7 It may be found at any mo
ment: 1t may have been found before
thisi"
There's no help for 1t, Master Dan.
6y." replied the other, with a groan;
at must be found, sooner or later. |
tell you yon must get away beyond the
seas. II possible"
"And draw suspicion on myself at
once!" exclaimed Philip. Then, some
Of the real Philip Chatter coming to
the surface and sweeping aside the
false personality under which he lived,
he added, hurriedly, But you must
have nothing to do with 1t, Harry; we
mustn't get you into trouble. No; I'll
take the thing In my own hands. and
In my own fashion. Do you keep a
silent tongue to every ONE
"You need not fear that shall
sneak, Master Dandy" replied the lad.
sAnd Il may not be SO bad, after. all;
rou may find a way Of getting out OF 1t,
Master Dandy"
ga way OF getting out Of it," nut.
tered Philip to himself. as he watched
sss retiring ssare OF his servant
sThere seems but small chance oil
: that. Robbery was bad enough, but
this is another matter. She's dead,
and cannot speak, even the real Dandy
Chatter Is gone. and l stand here In his
clothes, and with his very papers IN
my pockets. Philip, my boy, keep a
cool head-for this business means
Geathi"
Some morbid attraction, no less thar
the necessity for doing something
with the body. urged him 10 see It.
But, here again, the bitterness and
the strangeness of his position came
strongly upon him; for, though he
stood In deadly peril Of being charged
With the murder of this girl, he was
actually ignorant OF the spot where
her body lay. He s~huddered at the
thought that he might stumble upon Il
e d step he took. Still castins
about in his mind for the best method
az nnding the place he went back =
the Hall, and resolved to fortify him
SAT With dinner before doing any
thing.
Il suppose II I really had murder OF
~ soul I should have no appetite
nrsess 1 was q hardened villain In
za~- tr~rcorf yI1 mako fh<