The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-06

jeffrey had parted in anger, l hailed
with joy this evidence of her desire
for reconciliation. and il was in
obedience to her request. the singular
ity OF which did not strike me as
forcibly then as now. that l went 10
the shelves in her room and took down
the book
And did you find the note where
she said:''
Yes. and put it in toward the end
of the story
Nothing more: Did you read the
note.''
1T was folded was Miss Tuttle.s
quiet answer.
You did not remain before these
bookshelves longT' observed the cor
| Oner.
You have a witness who knows
more about that than l do" she sug-
gested. and, doubtless aware of the
temerity of this reply, waited with IN
moved countenance. but with visibiy
bounding breast, for what would
doubtless prove a fresh attack.
1t was violent one and of a char
acter she was least fitted TO meet TAX
! ing up the box I have so often men
| toned. the coroner drew away the
ribbon lying on top and disclosed the
| pistol. In a moment her hands were
over her ears.
'Why do you do that?'' he asked.
did you think I was going to dis
charge it?''
She smiled pitifully as she let her
hands fall again.
Il have q dread of firearms" she ex-
planned. Il always have had. Now
they are simply terrib~e to me, and this
one
II understand" said the coroner,
with a slight glance in the direction of
Durbin. They had evidently planned
this test together on the strength of
an idea suggested to Durbin by her for
mer action when the memory Of this
shot was recalled to her.
your horror seems to lie in the d.
rection Of the noise they make con-
tinued her memorable interlocutor.
lone would say you had heard this
pistol discharged"
Instantly a complete breaking up OF
her hitherto well maintained compo-
sure altered her whole aspect, and she
vehemently cried:
81 did, / did. I was on Waverley
avenue that night, and heard the shot
which in all probability ended my SIS
ter's lie. l walked farther than In
tended. I strolled into the street which
had such bitter memories for us. and I
heard-no, 1 was not in search of my
sister. I had not associated my sisters
going out with any intention Of visit
ing this house. I was merely troubled
in, mind nd opyio,rc ond-oudv
"And so under similar impulse you,
as well as Mr.. Jeffrey. chose this un-
canny place to ramble in. To all ap-
pearance that old hearth acted much
more like loadstone upon members
of your family than you were willing
at one time to acknowledge"
"You say 'ramble through Do you
for a moment think that entered that
old house:"
"NIiss Tuttle." was the grave, almost
sad, reply, did you not know that in
some earth, dropped from a howerpot
overturned at the time when hundred
guests flew In terror from this house,
there is to be seen the mark of a foot
step-a footstep which you are at lib
erty to measure with your own?'
"Ah" she murmured. her hands 60
ing up to her face.
But in another moment she had
dropped them and looked directly at |
the coroner.
II walked there-I never said that I |
did not walk there-when I went later /.
TO see my sister and in sight of a num-
Der of detectives passed straight |
the halls and into the library"
And that this footstep," inexorably |
proceeded the coroner, lis not in line |
with the main thoroughfare extending |
from the front to the back of the house,
but turned inward toward the wall, as
If she who made 1t had stopped to lean
her head against the partition?'
Miss Tuttle's head dropped.
IF went into the house." she said.
at was not to enter that room. / had
too great a dread Of it, Ii I rested my
head against the wall it was in terror
Of that shot. 1t came SO suddenly and
was SO frightful so much more fright
full than anything you can conceive"
Then you did enter the houseT"
al did,
"And it was while you were inside.
instead Of outside, that you heard the
shot?'
Il must admit that too. I was at
the library door,"
You acknowledge thatw
81 do
But you did not enter the library?"
"No, not then: not till 1 was taken
back by the officer who told me Of my
sisters DEATH
I'VE are glad to hear this precise
statement from you. 1t encourages me
to ask again the nature of the freak
which took you into this house. You
say that it was not from any dread on
your sisters account. What, then,
was it? No evasive answer will salts
y us. Miss Tuttlc."
II cannot answer" she said.
I'VE will not oblige you to-" said the
coroner
However he now went on with
assumed severity. you may
answer this: Was the house dark or
light when you entered it? And how
lid you get in;"
THE house was dark, and I got in
|