Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-02-05

Wn0le story now; only assure you, on
my word, that I've evidence against
the man which will convict him of ono
murder and perhaps Of two. Is that
enough"
"Yes," said Simmonds instantly, and
he opened drawer from which he
took pistol and pair of handouts.
"All right" he added, turning back
| to US.
"That's good. Better have a lantern,
too, though"
Think soT'
He took down q little dark lantern,
lighted 1t, tested it and put 1t in his
pocket.
"Now I'm ready. Have we far to
goT
"Oh, no; just across the street"
Simmonds started with astonIsh-
ment.
"You don't mean the Marathon" he
said.
Just that"
"But who is 1t we're going afterT
"a fellow named Tremaine."
"Tremainew Simmonds' face grew
blanker and blanker. "Why, l know
him. He's been In here to see me. He
doesn't seem at all the kind of fellow
who would
$50 ho' cried Godfrey. 1T was you
who told him about the c!ippingsT'
Simmonds colored to the eyes.
"Who told you thatY he stammered.
"No matter; 1t didn't do any harm;
played right into our hands. in fact.
But you didn't show your usual per-
spicacity there, Simmonds. That fel-
low is the most remarkable scoundrel
I've ever run across. Perhaps it's just
as well never met him, or he'd have
hypnotized me too. Come along"
Higgins was just shutting the inner
doors.
"Do you know whether or not Mr..
Tremaine is III his rooms?' asked God.
frey.
"Yes, sir; he went up about an hour
ago."
"You have key to his door,"
Eyes, SIR"
1--WE want you to go up with us and
open the door."
"Oh, comew protested Higgins.
That's going it pretty strong. WHAT'S
Mr.. Tremaine done"
mo matter. There's no uge holding
off, Higgins Simmonds here can place
you under arrest and force you to CO."
"Well, see here" said Higgins. turn
ing little pale, IF you break in on
him like that there's apt to be some
bullets fyin' around. He's hotheaded,
he is. wish you'd excuse me. Here's
the key. Why can't you open the door
yourself?
"That'll do" assented Godfrey and
took the key.
We went softly up the stairs and
down the. dimly lighted corridor 10
Tremaine's door. We could see by the
transom that the room was dark.
II want to surprise him. whispered
Godfrey. "If he has two or three min
utes' warning he may be able to gel
rid Of some evidence. He's proDa3.y
in bed, aud we must get to the bed
room door without his hearing us.
How does the bedroom door lie, Les
ter, with reference to this one?'
Straight ahead" answered hoarse-
ly.
"All right" said Godfrey. And he
threw back the bolt and opened the
door.
The room was In absolute darkness
save for the dim stream Of light from
the hall. We entered cautiously. God
frey In the lead.
Have your lantern ready, Sim
monds," he whispered. And l caught
the odor Of heated metal as Simmonds
obeyed the order.
Two, three, four steps we advanced,
feeling our way; then l heard star
tied cry from Godfrey; an instants
pause.
"Quick, Simmonds, quick" he cried
in stihed voice. ''The lantern"
Instantly a brilliant band Of light |
shot across the room, wavered, wag- |
ged to and fro, then settled upon God
frey bending above some shapeless OBJ |
ject on the floor.
What is itf" I cried, running to
him, shivering with horror.
ITS Tremaine." And he knelt on
the floor and stripped back the cloth
ing from the breast. Hes Dead" he
added after moment.
Dead? But why? HOw?'
He was In pajamas-I can see them |
blue and white.
Then l heard Godfrey's voice again.
"AIy God" he was saying, with an
accent of utter horror. "My God!
Bring the light closer, Simmonds"
looked down too. The face was In |
bright relief now-but was 1t Tremaine!
Could 1t be Tremaine, that staring, |
distorted thing. with wide open mouth?
Then my eyes fell OH the hand, clasped
across the breast.
what is it," I asked again inartlcu-
lately, frozen with dread. "What has
l saw Godfrey stand erect with n
sudden movement OF loathing.
"Its the fer-de-lance" he said
hoarsely. Hes been bitten by it.
And it's still loose in the room some.
whersw