Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-09-26
CHAPTER III.
TRICKS OF THE IRA

wholly suppress; he had been adroitly
driving Simmonds toward that sug-
gestion.
For Godfrey wanted to be alone q
few minutes with Miss Croydon. He
was acutely conscious that here was a
mystery much more puzzling than ap-
peared on the surface; much more
picturesque than the ordinary run Of
mysteries. Miss Croydon had said that
her errand to suite fourteen nae 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 1t. n yet
he felt that two or three we'll directed
questions might give him the clew
which he was seeking now in vain.
Very we'll" he agreed: TN send her
down to her cab. What are you going
to %"
I'm going to quiz h ~janitor and
then search h house. Maybe h 9TH
er fellow hasn't had a nance to get
away yet. 1 wonder what's going on
nut 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 sauffling OF many feet.
.he stunning OF many feet.
The comnotion swelled to an I'M
roar AS Sir1monds opened II door
and closed 1t quickly behind him.
Godfrey heard his voice raised in an
cry expostulation. and he chIckled
grimly to himself as ne turned to Miss
Croydon.
He gazed at her with interest. search
Ingly, bordering how best to surprise
her secret-at h 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 s~elf-control with which she
had answered the detectives inquiries
seemed to have deserted her. She was
sitting huddled up In the chair with
her head in her hands. in an atti-
sive shudder shook her from mo-
ment to 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
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 u crime
as this. or even connived at 1t.
Yet h had lied-deliberately and
distinctly she had lied. She had told
AAAAA SAt0S oAO u uCNSt OCIOIc SCcIl
the dead man: h had told Simmonds
Just the opposite. Which was the
truth? Doubtless. the first; her first
Impulse woul be to speak the truth;
afterward. at leisure for a moment.
III had mastered her agitation. had
thought put the lie. and had uttered
1t with a surprising calmness.
Godfrey felt that he was cropping to-
ward the light. But there was an
other mystery more impenetrable still.
What was It had nerved her to brave
he tittle-tattle Of the world. to en-
danger her good name. to run she
knew not what risk Of indignity and
insult? A love affair? Bah! To sup
pose her capable Of such an assigna-
ton 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
quickly, still looking at him. and he
saw a flash OF defiance I'm her eyes.
Plainly. b did not fear him: he fan
c:ed there were few things in the world
h did fear.
May l see you to your cab. Miss
Croydon" he asked.
ITO my cab!" she repeated. half
You have not.?"
Betrayed you" he finished. a. she
stopped suddenly. No: I don't in
tend to. Whether you know the man
yonder or not. ! don't for an instant
believe you killed him."
"Oh. I dtdn't!" she cried. II did
my best to save him. But 1t was done
40 quickly|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.
TO protect him." she faltered.
\ am sure you know him. You
could place him in tho hands Of the
police. II you wished"
She stared without answering into
his steady eyes. There was something
there was no resisting. urging her to
speak. She had been deeply shaken
by the evenings tragedy:. her strength
. almost gone. Godfrey saw her
yielding. yielding-a moment more,
and he would have the story. With a
last sigh Of resistance. she opened her
vps; ele:'s them opened them
The door opened and q man came
ina keeh faced man Of middle age,
who nodded to Godfrey ana threw Z
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 ex-
pcctantly at the girl.
Miss Croydon" said Godfrey, this
10 Coroner Goldberg. whose duty It ID
to investigate this affair. and who maj
wish to ASK you some question:"
Goldberg removed his hat and
bowed. Miss Croydon met his sas<
with an admirable composure. C3odfres
siehed-that moment Of weakness ~
pSst-if Goldberg had only been {
re0nne03 Se4Ay