Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-15

this mystery as soon as they had 10.
Gated certain witness, whose con.
nection with the crime they had Just
discovered. No more, no less tnah
was contained in Inspector DalzelPs
letter. How could bear 1.-THE sus-
pense, the doubt,-and do my duty to
my patient! Happily, had no choice.
| had been adjudged equal to this
business and must prove myself to
be so. Perhaps my courage would re.
vive after I had had my breakfast;
perhaps then | should be able to fix
upon the identity Of the new witness,
something which found myself in.
capable of at this moment
These thoughts were on my mind as
| crossed the rooms on my way back
to Miss Grey's bedside. BY the time
| reached her door l was outwardly
calm, as her first words showed:
"Oh, the cheerful smile! 1t makes
me feel better in spite of myself"
II she could have seen into my
heart!
Mr.. Grey, who was leaning over the
foot of the bed, cast me quick glance
which was not without its suspicion.
Had he detected me playing a part,
or were such doubts as he displayed
the product simply of his own I'M.
easiness? | was not able to decide,
and, with this unanswered question
added to the number already troubling
me, l was forced to face the day
which, for aught knew, might be the
precursor of many others equally try
ing and unsatisfactory.
But help was near. Before noon I
received message from my uncle to
the effect that if could be spared he
would be glad to see me at his home
as near three o'clock as possible.
What could he want Of me? l could
not guess, and 1t was with great inner
perturbation that, having won Mr..
Grey's permission, I responded to his
summons.
found my uncle awaiting me in a
carriage before his own door. and l
took my seat at his side without the
least idea of his purpose. I supposed
that he had planned this ride that he
might talk to me unreservedly and
without fear of interruption. But I
soon saw that he had some very diff
ferent object In view, for not only
did he start down town instead of up,
but his conversation, such as it was,
confined itself to generalities and
studtously avoided the one topic Of su.
preme interest to us both.
At last. as we turned into Blocker
Street, l let my establishment and per
plexity appear.
Where are We bound?" asked. at
can not be that you are taking me to
see Mr.. Durand?'
No" said he, and said no more.
"Ah, Police Headquarters" / falt-
cred as the carriage made another
turn and drew up before a>building 1
had reason to remember. "Uncle,
what am to do here?"
See friend" he answered, as he
helped me to alight. Then as fol-
lowed him In some bewilderment, he
whispered in my ear: Inspector
Dalzell. He wants few minutes con-
versation with YOU"
Oh, the weight which fell from my
shoulders at these words! was to
hear, then, what had interviewed be-
tween me and my purpose. The wear
Ing night had anticipated was to be
lightened with some small spark of
knowledge. had confidence enough
in the kind-hearted inspector to be
sure of that. | caught at my uncle's
arm and squeezed it delightedly, quite
oblivious of the curious glances
must have received from the various
officials we passed on our way to the
inspectors office.
We found him waiting for us, and I
experienced such pleasure at sight of
his kind and earnest face that I hard
ly noticed uncle's sly retreat till the
door closed behind him.
"Oh, Inspector, what has hap
pened?" / impetuously exclaimed in
answer to his greeting. Something
that will help Mr.. Durand without dis
turbinIg Mr.. Grey-have you as good
news for me as that?"
Hardly" he answered, moving up
chair and seating me in it with a
fatherly air which, under the circum-
stances, was more discouraging than
consolatory. eve have simply heard
OF a new witness, or rather fact has
come to light. which has turned our in
quiries into new direction"
"And-and-you can not tell me
what this fact is?" l faltered as he
showed no intention of adding any
thing to this very unsatisfactory ex-
PLANTATION.
Il should not, but you were willing
to do so much for us must set aside
my principles a little and do some
thing for you. After all, it is only
forestalling the reporters by a day.
Miss Van Arsdale, this is the story:
Yesterday morning man was shown
into this room, and said that he had
information to give which might pos
sibly prove to have some bearing on
the Fairbrother case. l had seen the
man before and recognized him at the
first glance as one of the witnesses
who made the inquest unnecessarily
tedious. Do you remember Jones, the
caterer, who had only two or three
facts to give and yet who used up the
whole afternoon in trying to state
those facts?"
II do, indeed / answered.
well, he was the man, and own
AL; -