Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-09

L Ill AMI =
eGr people rf:el1C.S or Inompson's. per
haps; none of them had any connec-
ton with Tremaine: they told no story,
furnished no clew, shed not "a ray of
light on the mystery-they were abso-
lutely worthless.
laid them down in despair. Yet If
they were Worthless. why had Miss
Croydon taken them? Why had Ire
maine sought for them? Were they
mistaken too? Had they imagined the
clippings told secret which in fact
they did not tell: But perhaps they
did tell it-perhaps had overlooked it.
They must have some connection with
the tragedy? Why could I not per
ceive it?
ran through them feverishly again,
but with no better result At last |
laid them down and took up my pipe.
| must submit them to Il keener brain
than mine. Ii Godfrey were only here.
| heard Il step come down the hall,
stop ut my door. Some one knocked.
hastily stuffed the clippings into
my pocket and opened the door. But
| it was not Tremaine who stood there.
! 1t was Godfrey.
We'll. of all things," | cried. Il was
| Just wishing for you. Come i'll"
With that quiet smile OF his he step
| ped over the threshold.
THAT must mean you've got some
new problem to solve" he said, still
| smiling.
Il have; the worst yet; impenetrable
as the countenance of the sphinx. But
first give me your coat and hat
They We're dripping with water. and
| for the first time heard the rain beat
ing savaSel, against the windows.
Il happened to he across the street
| talking with SimmOndS." he said. and
1 thought I'd run over and see you a
moment"
"Whcn did you get back from Wash
ngton:'
>. Just this evening, and I've got to
luck
| | handed him Il cigar and took one
myself. l confess that the match with
which l lighted it was not wholly
steady.
Come" said Godfrey. smiling in
sympathy with my excitement. ~! at's
the great discovery! Some news from
the house party"
NO. | haven't heard word from
the house party"
What is it. then? Out with it.
Godfrey l cried, I've found the
clippings!' And l plunged my hanC
into my pocket and drew them forth.
He was out of his seat in ~ instant
The clippings. Not the ones
The very ones / nodded trium
phantly.
Let me see them. But wait anL
he held himself back. Il confess You
surprised me. Lester l wasn't expect
ing such Il bomb.- This is erect luck
Where did You lind them:
| | told him of Higgins chance remarl
that had put me on the track. and il
the same breath related what Cecil!
had told me OF Tremaine and his ell
counter with his zombi.
Good boy Godfrey commendec
|
all the rest of us put together. Yol
see. we're beginning to get the thread
in hand. .Sow bring the clippings owe
here to the desk under the light"
+ | laid th9m on the desk and he 81
down before it.
E But here" he said, starting u
again. you'll want to see them too
NO, no l protested. Sit down
| have seen thcm," and then suddenl
l remembered how | had been disaI
pointed. They contained no secre
they gave us no clew.
80" he said sitting down again
80 you're i'll the secret. then?"
I've looked them over" l repeate
desponlently. but I'm not in til
, secret. They don't tell any secret Q
anything else that concerns this cast
l don't believe they'll help us Il hi
Godfrey. They're about everythin
' under the sun but the one thing weT
Interested in
l went back to my chair and n
J piled myself TO ny. ci"sr: l. h2ral
= dared look ut Godfrey. his disappoin
| ment would be SO intense. y silenc
$ of three or four minutes followed
+ broken only by the ruStling of pape
+ and the bowling of the wind about tn
) building.
Then l glanced at Godfrey. HI
: cheeks were flushed. his eyes WEI
t beaming with triumph.
@ What | cried, starting up. I'D
I you think
He looked up with Il little nod.
t Yes he said: they tell MS. I'll
II whole story. Lester
:. CHAPTER XXIL.
N OR a moment l thought til;
Ia r. 1 Godfrey WAS iOkinp Hu,