Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-05-03

terry. MY theory doesn't solve it, You
know: 1t only makes 1t deeper. The
mystery, after all, is-who are these
people-why did they kill Mr., Hoila-
~day?-why have they abducte MS
daughter what is their plot,
Yes" I assented; and again had d
momen of confused ~perplexity, as a
man staring down into a black abyss.
but after you find her." she asked,
what will you do with her!
do with her? Why, take her home
of course"
But she'll very probably be broken
down, perhaps even on the verge 9.
hysteria. Such an experience would
upset any oma / don't care how
robust she may have been. She'll need
rest and care. You must bring her 10
us at Paris, Mr.. Lester"
/ saw the wisdom OF her words, ana
said SO.
That's very kin OF you," i added.
Il am sure Mr.. Royce will agree-but
we have first to find her, Miss KEN
ball"
| was glad for my own sake, too; the
parting Of tomorrow, Would not, then,
be q final one. / should see her again.
/ tried to say something OF this,
but my tongue faltered and refused 10
shape the words.
Sle l6ll lie IlSSCIltiy oAu ~ -
hour or more l sat there and looked, In
every aspect, at the theory she had
suggested. Certainly, there was noth-
ing to disprove it; and yet, as she had
said, ii merely served to deepen the
mystery. Who were these people, L
asked myself again, who dared to play
so bold and desperate a game? The il
legitimate daughter might, of course,
impersonate Miss Holiday; but who
was the elder woman? Her mother?
Then the liaison must have place
in France-her accent was not 10 De
mistaken; but in France, Mr.. Holiday
had been always with his wife. be-
sides the younger woman spoke Eng
lish perfectly. True. she had said only
a few words-the hoarseness might
have been affected to conceal a differ
ence in Voice-but how explain the elder
woman's resemblance to Hiram Holla-
days daughter? Could they both be IL
legitimate? But that was nonsense,
for Mrs. Holiday had taken her into
her life, had loved her
And Martigny? Who was he? WHAT
was his connection with these women?
That the crime mad been carefully
planned | could not doubt; and 1t had
been carried out with surprising Skill
There had been no nerVouS hating at
the supreme moments, no hesitation
nor drawing back; instead, a GOODNESS
III eAeCllliOll tlIllOSl lGIlulSl, Oh 0i45 "
hardened and practiced hand.
Doubtless it was Martigny who had
arranged the plot, who had managed its
development. And with what
He a not feared to be present at the
inquest; nor even TO approach me and
discuss the case with me. I tried to
recall the details of our talk, impatient
that had paid 50 little heed to it. He
had asked, l remembered, what would
happen to Frances Holiday if she were
found guilty. He had been anxious,
then. to ave her. He had-yes, | saw
it now,-he had written the note which
did save her; he had run the risk OF
discovery to get her free!
But why?
If I only had a clew: one thread to
follow! One ray of light would be
enough! Then | could see my way out
Of this hopeless tangle; j should know
how to strike. But to stumble blindly
onward III the dark-that might do
more harm than good.
Yes, and there was another thing for
me to guard against. What was to pre-
vent him, the he stepped
ashore, wiring to his confederates,
warning them telling them to flee? Or
he might wait, watching us, until he
saw that they were really in danger.
In either event, they must easily es-
cape; Miss Kendall had been right
WIeIl Sne pOlIllSu out that our only
hope was in catching them u~nprepared.
If I could throw hin off, deceive him,
convince him that there was no dam
ger!
The impulse was too strong to be re-
sisted. In a moment / was on my feet
but, no-to surprise him would be to
make him suspect! l called a steward,
Take this "a up to Monsieur Mar
tigny." l said, "in 375, and ask him if
he is we'll enough to see me-"
AS he hurried away, q sudden doubt
seized me; Mortified at my hardihood,
l opened my mouth to call him back.
But l did not call; instead 7 sank back
into my chair n stared out across
the water. Had / done we'll? Was it
wise to tempt providence? Would l
prove a match for my enemy? The
ext half hour would tell. Perhaps he
would not see me; he could plead i'll.
ness; he might be really too i'll.
Monsieur Martigny," said the stew
ards voice at my elbow, answers that
he will be most pleased to see Mon
sieur Lester at once"
Continued Next Week.