The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1907-12-12
A STORY OF

why, WhatS all TINS, Jack !! aSkec
Delroy, looking about at the disorder
Drysdale closed the door and turned
toward him rather sheepishly.
Fact is, / was packing; Dicliie," he
said. I've got to go back to New
York today, to look after some invest
ments. I'd like to stay, old man. but
l really can't
Something in the faces of his audi
tors stopped him, and he changed
color.
What do you fellows want, any
way" he demanded hotly.
sit down, Mr.. Drysdale," said the
coroner solemnly, himself taking a
chair. Our business may take some
little time. You W a revolver, l be-
lieve."
Yes" said Jack. "a Smith & Yves
son l was lust looking for 1T, When
it."
How long has it been since you saw
Il can't say-two or three days, per-
haps."
You kept it in your trunk?"
And the trunk was locked?"
"Yes-that is, generally"
Was 1T locked last night"
"Yes-that is. l don know-I'm not
certain. Why?"
Did you have your revolver last
night"
mo, I haven't seer it for a day or
two. 1 tell you.'
"Iss tbs your revolver" asked the
coroner. producing the weapon.
Drysdale took 1t and looked at it
with an air of astonishment.
why, yes" he said. Where did
you get it?"
And ISIS tbs your raincoat?"
"Yes-but what"
You wore it when you went out
last night?"
"Yes-but I insist
Mr.. Drysdale." asked the coroner
sternly, "for what purpose did you go
out last night, and where did you go?"
Drysdale sprang to his feet. his face
red with anger.
why, you Internal b~usy-body." he
cried. It's none of your business"
"T'en you refuse to answer"
II most certainly do. and 1 hin you'd
better go back to Babylon"
Il shall go back in due time. Mr..
Drysdale." retorted the coroner in a
cool voice. holding up his hand. Per
haps you have, as yet. not heard Of tie
OF tie robbery which accompanied it?"
Drysdale paled suddenly, his hands
were trembling $50.
"Murder!" he repeated blankly. Rob
bery!"
Precisely. Graham tie gardener was
III last night dIlQ MIS-. DelFOy s
pearl necklace stolen. You were tie
only person who left tie house. Your
revolver was found beside him. Tis
button, torn from o coat, was found
in his hand. l hope you will now per-
ceive tie wisdom of giving us a tetailed
account of your movements while you
were away from tie house."
Drysdale had listened with a grow
ing pallor. When the coroner finished.
he was fairly livid, and HI passed his
hand helplessly before his eyes. But
he did not speak.
"Well?" asked Heffelbower impa-
tfently. after q moment.
Drysdale o o down his hand and
steadied himself against the back Of
his chair.
II ave nothing to say" he muir
INJURED hoarsely.
The coroner stared in astonish-
ment.
You don't mean"
II mean that I lave nothing to say"
repeated Drysdale. this time in a firm
er tone.
"Oh, come. Jack" burst out Delroy.
don't be SO obstinate. Tell us where
you were. OF course / know you didn't
murder Graham"
THANK YOU. Dickie," and Drysdale
looked at him gratefully. ct didn't do
it; I'm ready to swear that by any oath
you please. But I cant tell you or any
body where 1 vas"
Don't let any little secret stand in
the way" protested Delroy. This isn't
II can't tell repeated Drysdale
firmly.
d you persist in tat decision"
asked the o sharply.
II certainly do"
Ten" said Heffelbower, rising IN
his turn. 'in tie name OF tie law.
shall hat to arrest you. Please finish
your dressing"
posedly, n set about his toilet. while
Delroy watched him in a kind Of dazed
perplexity. 1t took but a few moments.
I'm ready he said.
Jack" cried Delroy again, but the
other stopped him with a gesture.
Don't worry. Dickie." he said. II
didn't do it. They can't convict me,
I'm not in the least afraid"
Heffelbower o the key from the
door and transferred it to the outside.
I'm hat to lock up tbs room," he said.
1T will hat to be searched"
De1roy nodded his consent and the
little procession passed out into the
hall.
Suddenly from the farther end came
the swish of skirts and Grace Croydon
appeared. radiant as the new day. She
paused In establishment as she saw the
group. then she came forward. Her
eyes went a%nxiously from face to face.
What Is 1t, Richard?" she asked.
What has happened?
Delroy laughed a nairthless laugh.
Enough and to spare" he answered.
They're arresting Jack, here. for MUIR
der"
For murder!" she breathed, and
caught at the balustrade. 'sOh. surely,
you're joking!"
retorted bitterly.
.Oh, why did you kill him 2" h cried,
turning upon her lover. why did you
not wait"
XIII him!" echoed Delroy. But he
didn't Grace! How can you think such
Q thing? He could clear, himself by tell
Ing where he was last night. and he
refuses to do it. Maybe he'll tell YOU
. b turned her searching eyes to her
lovers face.
Where were you last night. jack
she asked You'll tell me-. won't youa'
Tell you?' he sneered, his eyes
blazing with savage anger. Where
was 7? You ask me THAR"
And with a gesture OF fierce con-
tempt. he went on down the stair.