The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-11-27
CHAPTER III.
(COntinued.)

Rasenspur sat there looking
. modify into space. He heard the
house responding to the sound of
the luncheon gong, but he made no
, movement. The mere suggestion
of food was repulsive to him, clean
as his habits were and robust as
/ his appetite usually was. Present
ly the noise of the newsboys came
again, and Ravenspur rang his bell
and asked for a paper
The sheet fairly reeked with the
latest of London tragedies. The
last paragraph of the story stated
that the preliminary inquiry had
been adjourned for a week. The
medical evidence indicated that
death had been undoubtedly due to
stab over the heart which had
been inflicted by some long, point
ed instrument, not much thicker,
apparently, than needle. SO far
as the doctor could say the wea'
pom used had been an Italian stilet-
| to. The deed had been accomplish
ed in a cool and deliberate manner
by a man who must have possess
ed a considerable knowledge OF
anatomy. Evidently he had chosen
a spot to inflict the wound with
careful deliberation, for the devia-
ton of half an inch either way
mighty have produced comparative
| ly harmless results. 1t was the
| opinion of the doctor that, had the
fatal thrust been made through the
bare skin all traces of it might
have been overlooked. 1t was only
the adherence of the dead mans
garments to the tiny puncture that
had caused sufficient inflammation
to attach suspicion to the point of
| Ravenspur tossed the paper i'm.
patiently aside and rang for his tea
The slow day dragged along until
prepare for the reception Of his
guests. He came down presently to
the drawing room, where one or
two of the men had already as
sembled. His old pleasant smile
was on his face now. He was once
the polished, courtly man of the
world He steeled himself for what
he knew was coming. Practically
the whole of his guests were artists
of distinction. And the death of
Louis Delahay would be the one
! topic of conversation. The blinds
were down now, for the young
spring night had drawn in rapidly
and it was perfectly dark outside.
| The clock struck the hour of
eight, and the butler glanced in in
quiringly. Ravenspur shook his
head
Not quite yet, Simmonds," he
| said; I'VE are waiting for Sir John
Seton. AS he is usually the soul of
punctuality he is not likely to de-
| tain us
You can take his place if neces.
sary," one of the guest laughed.
when | see Seton and our host to-
gether I always feel quite Devil
dered. Two such public men had
no business to be so absurdly
alike"
There is no real resemblance"
Ravenspur laughed, though people
are constantly making absurd mis-
| takes. 1t is excusable to mistake
one for the other in the dark. but
not in the daylight. Besides, Seton
is a much taller man than | am,
and much simmer. We should hear
nothing about this likeness, but for
certain gentlemen OF the press"
We'll, they have got plenty to oc-
Cupy their attention nOk," another
guest remarked. This business Of
poor Delahay's is likely to give
them occupation for some time
Tell us all about it, Ravenspur
hear that you were down at Fitz-
john square this morning. Is there
| anything fresh?"
Ravenspur groaned in his spirit.
All the same, his manner was pol
ished and easy as he turned to the
| speaker. But before he had time to
give any details there was a sound
of excited voices in the hall out
side, the banging of door or two
| and then a tall, elderly man stag
gered into the room and fell into a
seat. There was an ugly scar on
| the side of his face. a few drops OF
blood stained his immaculate shirt
| front.
Good heavens" Ravenspur
cried. my dear Seton, what is the
matter? Simmonds, bring the
| brandy here at once"
mo, no." the newcomer gasped ;
81 shall be all right in minute
or two. A most extraordinary
thing happened to me just now.
was coming towards the lane by
| the back of Lord Fairhaven's house
on my way here when man came
| out from under the shadow of the
trees, and commenced a violent at
tack upon me. Fortunately, l was
able to ward him off with my stick
but not before he had marked me
in the way you see. Somebody
happened to be coming along, and
my assailant vanished. Still. 1t was
nasty adventure, and all the more
| extraordinary because the fellow
evidently mistook me for our friend
Ravenspur. He actually called me
| by that name"
All eyes were turned in the
| hosts direction, for strange
choking cry burst from his lips.
|