The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-09-19

Tricks OF THE RAD

Godfrey turned aside TO hide the
smile OF satisfaction he could not
wholly suppress; he had been adroitly
driving Simmonds toward that sug-
gestion.
For Godfrey wanted to be alone a
few minutes with Miss Croydon. He
was acutely conscious that here was a
mystery much more puzzling than APP
peared on the surface; much more
picturesque than the ordinary run Of
mysteries. Miss Croydon had 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 h or course, he could
not compel her to explain II, and yet
he felt that two or three well directed
questions might give him the clew
which he was seeking now In vain.
--Very well,'' he agreed; It'll send her
down to her cab. What are you going
TO dot"
I'm going to quiz the 1anitor and
then search the house. Maybe the 9TH
err 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 shuffling OF many feet.
the shufiiing OF many feet.
The commotion swelled to an UNI
roar as Simmonds opened the door
and closed 1t quickly behind him.
Godfrey heard his voice raised in an
CRY ex~postulation, and he chuckled'
grimly to himself as he turned to Miss
Croydon.
He gazed at her with interest, search
tngiy, bordering how best to surprise
her secret-at the ben head, with its
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 to have deserted her. She vas
sitting huddled up in the chair with
her head In her hands, in an atti-
tude almost Of collapse. A convul-
sive shudder shook her from mo-
ment to moment. They had been
thoughtless, Godfrey told himself, to
leave her alone with the dead n
that was enough to unnerve any WON
an.
He paused yet a moment, looking at
her--the slender hands, h little
what her training had been, how she
had been fenced away from the rough
places OF the world, the unpleasant
things of life. Certainly, she could
never have committed such a crime
as this. or even ~connived at II.
8 lei SnG fndQ ana
distinctly 5she had lied. She had told
him that she had never before seen
the dead man; she had told 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
IL with a surprising calmness.
Godfrey felt that he was cropping to-
ward the light. But there was IN
other mystery more impenetrable still.
What was 1t had neryed her to brave
the tittle-tattle OF the world, to en-
danger her good name, to u she
knew not what risk Of indignity and
insult? "A love affair? BAIL To sup
pose her capable OF such an assigna-
tion was. preposterous. One had only
TO look at her to see that. And yet,
what other reason could have brought
her to this place, alone. on such a
night.
Suddenly she felt the scrutiny he
bent upon her, and raised her eyes
TO his. Then she Strengthened up,
quickly, still looking at him, and he
saw a fash of defiance in her eyes.
Plainly, she did not fear him; he fam
c.ed there were few things in the world
she did fear.
May / see you to your cab, Miss
Croydon2" he asked.
ITO my cab2" she repeated, half
rising, Il may go. then? / am free?
YOU have NOT"
Betrayed you,% he finished. as she
stopped suddenly. mo; / don't in
tend to. Whether you know the man
believe you killed him"
"Oh, | didn't" she cried. II did
my best to save him. But II. was done
SO q~uickly-I didn't understand until
too late"
Nevertheless" continued Godfrey,
evenly. II think you're wrong In try
ing 70 protect the scoundrel who
The color faded suddenly from her
face.
ITO protect him." she faltered.
II am sure you know him. You
could place him in the hands of the
police, lie 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, ytelding-a moment more,
and he would have the story. With a
last sigh OF resistance, h opened her
lips. closed them. opened them
The door opened and a man came
ina keen faced man Of middle age,
who nodded to Godfrey and threw a
quick. penetrating glance at his COM
panion. Behind him. the clamor burst
out anew: various heads appeared In
the doorway, various eager faces
sought TO peer into the room, but the
newcomer calmly closed the door and
assured himself that II was locked.
He looked at Godfrey again, then X
pcctantly at the girl.
Miss Croydon" said Godfrey, this
is Coroner Goldberg, whose duty It Is
TO Investigate this affair, and who may,
wish tc ask you some questions"
Goldberg removed HIS hat and
bowed. Miss Croydon met his gaze
with an admirable composure. Godfrey
~sighed-that moment OF weakness was
psst-if Goldberg had only been a
moment laterA
"Only a few at present. began the
coroner In a voice soft and ~deferential,
as only he knew how to make II. How
often. with hat voice, had he led a
witness on and on to his own ruinl
a~w ~