Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-09-20
CHAPTER III.
Tricks OF THE A

cot hoOlTty WdIlltu W Dt diOltt q
few minutes with Miss Croydon. He
was acutely conscious that here was a
mystery much more puzzllng han APP
peared on the surface; much more
picturesque han the ordinary run OF
mysteries. Miss Croydon nae said that
her errand to suite fourteen had been
on a private matter which did not con-
Germ the police, but Godfrey was not
SO sure of that. OF course, he could
not compel her to explain ii, and yet
he felt hat two or three well directed
questions might give him the clew
which he was seeking now I'm vain.
Very WELL" he agreed; I'll send her
down TO her cab. What are you going
10 do
I'm going to quiz the ~janitor and
then search the house. Maybe the 9TH
er fellow hasn't had a chance TO get
away yet. / wonder what's going on
out there?" he added, as they re-
turned together to the other room.
They could hear a commotion of
some sort in the hall, the hum of voices
the shuifling Of many feet.
the shutting OF many feet.
The commotion swelled to an I'M
roar rs SimmOnds opened the door
and closed 1t quickly behind him.
Godfrey heard his voice raised in an
CRY oXpostulation, and he chuckled
grimly TO himself as he turned to Miss
Croydon.
He gazed at her with interest, search
ingly, bordering how best to surprise
her secret-at the bent head, with it's
crown OF dark hair, Swallowed by a lit
tie velvet hat; at the rounded arms, the
graceful figure. The remarkable reso-
luton and self-control with which she
had answered the detectives inquiries
seemed 70 have deserted her. She was
sitting huddled up In the chair with
hor hOad IN her hands IN IN aftJ-
tude almost OF collapse. A %convul-
sive shudder shook her from mo
ment ia moment. They had been
thoughtless. Godfrey told himself, to
leave her alone with the dead man
that was enough to unnerve any wom-
an.
He paused yet a moment, looking at
her-the slender hands, the little
ear--and he pictured to himself
what her training had been, how she
had been fenced away from the rough
places of the world. the unpleasant
ings Of life. Certainly, she could
mover have committed such a crime
as this, or even connived at Ii.
Yet she had lied-deliberately and
distinctly she had lied. She had told
him that she had never before seen
the dead man; she had old Simmonds
just the opposite. Which was the
truth? Doubtless, the first; her first
Impulse would be to speak the truth:
afterward, at leisure for a moment,
she had mastered her agitation, had
thought out the lie. and had uttered
II vis'l a surprising calmness.
Godfrey felt hat he was cropping to-
ward the light. But there was an
other mystery more impenetrable still.
What was 1t had nerved her to brave
the tittle-tattle of the world. to en-
danger her good name. to run she
49, - 80 .Yt.-k .f.Iw - s-Is-lk.v axJ 1
insult? A loy affair? Bah! To sup
pos her capable Of such an assigna-
tion was preposterous. One had only
to ook at her to see that. And yet,
what other reason could a v brought
her TO this place. alone, on such a
Suddenly she felt the scrutiny he
bent pon her, and raised her eyes
TO lis. Then she Strengthened up,
quiz lily. still looking at him. and he
saw \ flash OF defiance In her eyes.
Plainly, she did not fear him; he fan
cied there were few things In the world
she did fear.
May see you to your cab. Miss
Croydon? ?" he asked.
10 my cab?" she repeated. half
rising. Il may go, then? I am free?
You have not"
betrayed you," he finished. as she
stopped suddenly. NO; / ont in
tend to. Whether you know the man
yondcr or not. I don't for an instant
believe you killed him."
"Oh. l didn't" she cried. II did
my best 70 save him. But II was done
40 squickly-I didn't understand until
too late
Nevertheless" continued Godfrey,
evenly, Il think you're wrong In try
Ing to protect the scoundrel who
The color faded suddenly from her
face.
.fTo protect him. she faltered.
IL am sure you know him. You
could place him In the hands OF the
police. If you wished"
She stared without answering into
his steady eyes. There was something
compelling In their glance, a power
there was no resisting, urging her to
speak. She had been deeply shaken
by the evenings tragedy; her strength
was almost gone. Godfrey saw her
yielding, yielding momen more,
and he would nave the story. With a
asst sigh of resistance. h opened her
ps. closed them, opened them
The door opened and a man came
Ia keen faced man OF middle age,
Tho nodded to Godfrey and threw a
uick. penetrating glance at his COM
anton. Behind him. the clamor burst
1T anew. various heads appeared in
he doorway. various eager faces
sought to peer into the room, but the
newcomer calmly closed the door and
assJred himself that 1t was locked.
He looked at Godfrey again, then cx-
profanity at the girl.
Miss Croydon" said Godfrey. this
Is Coroner Goldberg. whose duty ii Is
to inve stigate this affair. and n may
wish to- ask you some questions"
Goldberg removed his hat and
bowed. Miss Croydon met his gaze
with an admirable composurc. Godfrey
sighed-that moment OF weakness was
past-if Goldberg had only been a
momen MT later.
Only a few at present" began the
coroner in a voice soft and dcferential
as criy he knew how to make 1t. How
cfte-. with Sthat voice. had he led 9
witness on and on 10 his w ruin.
On were the only witness OF this
tracey. I believe. Miss croydonr'
Yes, Sir
r. you acquainted with the muir
dsrer?r
nc. SIR"
.ycu never saw him beforeY"
NO. sir"
But you could Identify him u IA
rt:ice succeed in capturing himg"
~lN. YES, sir. 60
have ALREADY. given Mr.. Sim