The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-05-02

terry. Ny theory doesn't solve II, You
know 1t only makes 1t deeper. The
mystery, after all, is--who are these
people-why did they kill Mr.. Holla-
day?-why have they abducted mis-
daughter what is their plot?"
Yes" assented: and again had
moment of confused perplextty, as
man staring down into black abyss.
but after you find her." she asked,
what will you do with her"
"Do with her? Why, take her home.
of course" H
But she1l very probably be broken
down, perhaps even on the verge OF
hysteria Such an experience would
upset any woman. / don't care now
robust she may have been. She'll need
rest and care. You must bring her 10
us at Paris, Mr.. Lester"
/ saw the wisdom Of her words. and
said so,
That's very kind of you," added.
"I am sure Mr.. Royce win agree--but
we have first to find her, Miss KEN
ball"
was glad for my own sake, too; the
parting OF tomorrow, would not, then,
be a final one. / should see her again.
/ tried to say something OF this,
but my tongue faltered and refused TO
shape the words.
She left me presently, and for an
hour or more sat there and looked, in
suggested. Certainly, there was moth
ing to disproye it; and yet, as she had
said, it merely served TO deepen the
mystery. Who were these people,
asked myself again, who dared TO play
50 bold and desperate game? The IL
legitimate daughter might, of course,
impersonate Miss Holladay; but who
was the elder woman? Her mother?
Then the liaison must have taken place
in France---her accent was not to be
mistaken; but In France. Mr.. Holladay
had been always with his wife. Be-
sides the younger woman spoke Eng
lish perfectly. True, she had said only
a few words--the hoarseness might
have been affected to conceal differ
ence In voice--but how explain the elder
woman's resemblance to Hiram Holla-
days daughter? Could they both be IL
legitimate? But that was nonsense,
for Mrs. Holladay had taken her into
her life, had loved her -
And Martigny? Who was he? What
was his connection with these women?
That the crime had been carefully
planned could not doubt; and 1t had
been carried out with surprising skill.
There had been no nervous halting at
the supreme moments, no hesitation
nor drawing back; instead. q GOODNESS
of execution almost fiendish; arguing
hardened and practiCed hand.
Doubtless it was Martigny who had
arranged the plot, who had managed its
development. And with what boldnessl
He had not feared to be present at the
inquest; nor even TO approach me and
discuss the case with me. I tried to
recall the details of our talk, impatient
that / had paid so little heed to,it. He
had asked, l remembered, what would
happen TO Frances Holladay,if she were
found guilty, He had been anxious.
then, to save her. He had-yes, saw
1t nowl--he had written the note which
did save her; he had run the risk of
discovery TO get her free! .... ..r....
d But why? ..
If / only had clew; one thread to
follow One ray of light would be
enough! Then 1 could see my way out
of this hopeless tangle:4I l should know
how TO strike. But TO stumble blindly
onward in the dark-that might do
more harm than good. sN
Yes, ard there was another thing for
me to guard against. What was to pre-
vent him, the moment he stepped
ashore, wiring to his confederates,
warning them telling them to fee? Or
he might wait, watching us, until he
saw that they were really in danger.
In either event, they must easily es-
cape; Miss Kemball had been right
when she pointed out that our only
hope was I'm catching them unprepared.
II / could throw him off, deceive him,
convince him that there was no dam
ger! . ...... .....-
The impulse was too strong to be re-
sisted. In moment was on my feet
but, no-to surprise him would be to
make him suspect, called a steward.
Take this card up to Monsieur Mar
tlgny," ] said, "in 375, and ask him IL
he is well enough to see me-"
AS he hurried away, a sudden doubt
seized me; Mortified at my hardihood,
/ opened my mouth to call him back.
But did not call; instead sank back
into my chair and stared out across
the water. Had done well? Was II
wise TO tempt providence? Would !
prove a match for my enemy? The
next half hour would tell. Perhaps he
would not see me; he could plead i'll.
ness; he might oe really too i'll
Monsieur Martigny," said the stew
ards voice at my elbow, answers that
he will be most pleased to see Mon.
sieur Lester at once"
~