The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-01-24
CHAPTER XII.
Miss Vint Hears Voices.


cause Of the extraordinary terror
evinced by the captain, while he
watched the flying figure of that gen.
tleman careening down the street.
After some little thought he put down
the sudden desire on the captains part
to get away from him to a knowledge
Of the murder, and to a natural dread
and adherence of the man he sup
posed TO be guilty Of 1t. He turned
away with bitterness in his heart feel.
ing that all the world was against him,
and made ais way back toward Lon
don by train. Arriving at Charing
Cross he bought an evening paper,
and turned to see what news there
might be concerning the dreadful
thing which was always in his mind.
More than a column was devoted to
lt-with interviews with wholly unin-
terestlng people, Of whom he had
never heard, nor, indeed, any n else
giving their several versions of the
matter; how this one had heard a
scream, and another a dog bark; and
how a third had an aunt who had
dreamed Of a man with a red mark on
his forehead about a week before the
occurrence. But there was absolutely
nothing in any report which connected
him with the affair-at least, by name.
It was stated that the police had
several clues, but that was to be ex-
pected. Only, at the end Of the col
umn, was a suggestion that the police
had issued a warrant against a man
well known in the ~neighborhood, who
had disappeared some two days be-
fore. That was from a telegram dated
that afternoon-FTiday.
Philip Chatter sat down on a seat in
the station and pondered the matter
again. THE warrant is for me-that's
certain. But there is no mention of
my that that idea about the
captain goes to the winds. Now, what
on earth can have startled him in that
fashion,"
Turning the paper over in his hands
he came upon a "Stop-Press' telegram,
in the small space reserved for such
things, and read II.
"The body of an unknown man, well
dressed, was taken from the river be
low Woolwich this afternoon. Nothing
In pockets to lead to Identification"
Once again Philip Chatter seemed to
stand at the corned of the dark street
in Woolwich; once again he seemed to
see the CHASTITY face of the startled
captain, as he backed away. Philip
Chatter folded the paper rapidly and
got up, with an excited face.
by all that's wonderful!-he's
found the real Dandy Chater!" he NUT
tered.
That thought, and all that It might
involve for him and so many others,
set him walking at a rapid pace, think
ing hard as he went, and without pay
ing much attention to the direction he
took. But his thoughts, coming, by a
natural transition, to the girl who
would be most affected by any news of
Dandy Chatter. leapt from thence to the
quiet garden, wherein he had walked
and talked with her. Then, in a flash
In his mind he went back, " the dis
covery of the road which led him to
the cottage, to the plan on the scrap
Of paper, and the reason for the plan.
Friday night-as soon after ten
o'clock as possible. Only. women to
deal with Great heavens!" he ex
claimed--"and this is Friday night"
He hailed a hanson, and shouted to
the man to drive to Liverpool Street
station. Arriving there in hot haste,
he found that he could catch ar ex-
press which would land him at a small
town a few miles from the station at
which he had before alighted for Bam-
berton. Taking his eat In this. a few
moments before It's departure, he
found himself, somewhat to his on
sternation, in the company Of a couple
of men who were discussing the MUIR
der in the wood-evidently newspaper
men. judging by what they said.
Yes said the first. "T'm going
down. so as to be on the spot II there's
anything fresh. In any case, / must
wire up about half a column"
II think we shall probably have
some news tonight" replied the Sec
ond man. "Our people have got hold
of an idea that the police have spotted
their man, and may get hold Of him
within the next few hours. / hear that
Tokely has the case in hand"
"Ah-smart man, Tokely." said the
other, nedding. Il wonder II the swell
who was spoken about had anything to
do with it?"
Il daresay." replied his friend, cool.
ly. IF so. It'll make rare good copy,
won't 1t? Trusting village maiden
young squire-and all the other de-
tails. By Jove--won't our people lick
It up!"
Philip Chatter, sick at heart. turned
away, and tried to busy himself In the
paper he had bought. But the more
he tried to read. and to TX his mind on
the page before him. the more hope
less became the tangle into which the
words seer,ed to form themselves. He
thought o. himself q fugitive; Of his