Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-22

questions, and Matilda had been intro
duced to see If he was the man. He
became certain of this when Miss Junk
threw ND her hands. THE commercial
CENT? she exclaimed.
ooh, no." said Maud, smiling smooth
". 'This is Mr.. Hurd, the detective,
who is searching for the assassin OF
my dear father"
"Ior,' said Matilda, growing red.
"And he's the man as came TO ask
questions at the 'otel. do call it bold
of YOU, Mister Policeman"
"Why did you go down to Christ
church?" asked Miss Krll.
"If l have to find out who killed your
father, said Hurd, with an accent on
| the word father, lit was necessary that
| should learn about his past life as
Lemuel Krill.''
MY mother could have informed
you, sir
Il guessed as much, and. as Miss
Junk would not speak, / have come to
question Mrs. Krill. .Ah. here she is"
| Hurd rose and bowed. Il am glad to
see you, naua1n.
Mrs. Krill, who was as plump and
smiling and smooth faced and severe
as ever, bowed and rubbed her white
hands together. At sign from Maud,
Matilda gathered up the fancy work
| and went out OF the room. with many
backward glances. These We're mostly
indignant, for she was angry at Hurd's
deception. do you wish my daughter
| to stay?" asked Mrs. Krill smoothly.
"rhatis as she pleases," said the de.
| tective.
NO thank you, mother said Maud,
shuddering. Il have heard quite
enough of my poor fathers terrible
Death" and she swept out of the draw
ing room, with gracious smile.
1.-The poor child is so sensitive" sigh
ell Mrs. Krill, taking a seat, with her
back to the window. Il trust. Mr..
Hurd. you have come with good news"
said the widow.
"What would You call good news?"
asked the detective dryly.
THAT You had traced the assassin
she replied coolly.
/ L
have been successful" said Hurd.
81 shall be pleased TO hear" was the
equally calm reply. But as Mrs. Krill
spoke she glanced toward gorgeous
| tapestry curtain at the end of the room,
and Huru fancied he saw. it shake. Ii
suddenly occurred to him that Maud
was behind. Why she should choose
this secret way of listening when she
could have remained it was difficult to
say, and he half thought he was mis-
| taken.
Il was lately down at Christchurch
madam" began the detective.
80 my servant, Matilda Junk, said
could have saved You the journey
1 can tell you what you wish TO know
I'm that case l will relate all that
have learned, and perhaps you viii
correct me if !, am wrong"
Mrs. Krill bowed, but did not com
nit herself to speech. For the sake OF
effect the detective took out a shea1
of notes, but in reality he had the
various points of the case at his finge
tips. You will excuse me if I talk OIL
very private affairs" he said apologet
ically, but as we are alone"-agail
Mrs. Krill glanced at the curtain an'
thereby confirmed HurdS suspicious o
an unseen listener-''you will not min'
my being perhaps personal. l had t
look into your past us well as into tina
of your husbands"
Mrs. Krill's eyes grew harder thai
ever. She scented danger My pas
is most embarrassing one" she SAT-
coldly. II was born at Stowley, Il
Buckinghamshire, and married MI
Krill at Beechill, which is few mile
, from that town. He was q traveller il
, iewelry. but as did not like his bein
, away from me / induced him to rem
the Red Pig at Christchurch, to whic
, we removed. Then he left me-
"On account of Lady Rachel Sandal
murder?"
Mrs. Krill controlled herself exec
, lently, although she was startled b
this speech, as was evident from tn
, expression of her eyes. THAT poe
: lady committed suicide she said d,
liberately. THE jury at the inques
, brought in verdict of suicide
! "By majority of one," added Hur
/, quickly. There seems to be a col
siderable amount of doubt as to I'll
: cause of the DEATH"
: 1.-The death was caused by strangul'
, tion," said Mrs. Krill in hard tone
, "Since you know all about the matte
o you must be aware that 1 and N
2 daughter had retired after seeing Lad
= Rachel safe and sound for the nigh
: The death was discovered by a boo
! companion of my husbands, wit
p whom he was drinking at the time"
81 know that Also that you can
down with your daughter when I'll
alarm was given. / also know TIL
krill fastened your daughters lips t
gether with the opal brooch which WI
found In the parlor.''
q who told you that?" asked MI
Krill, agitated.
"Jessop-the boon companion "
speak Of"
Eyes, she said, suppressing her az
p. tation with powerful effort. IN
~ ~ tilda said you had him to dine Wi
so you. What else did he say?" 81
=