Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-04-12
BY Fergus Hume

too clever to waste time in denying hi!
identity.
He stands before you,' he answered
CURLY, what then?"
You acknowledge, then. tina you ar,
Octave Braulard, transported to New Cal
edonia for the murder of Adele Blondet?'
said the doctor, tapping the table with on
hand.
"To you-yes,'' answered yandeloup
crossing to the door and locking it "tC
others-no."
why do You lock the door," sale
Gollipeck, grufiy.
Il don't want my private affairs al
over Melbourne" retorted CASTOR, smooth,
~, returning to his position in front oil
the fireplace; 'are you afraid?"
Something again went wrong with Col
lipeck's inside, and he grated out a hard
ironical laugh.
DO I look afraid?' he asked, spread.
ing out his hands.
Vandeloup stopped down to the port
manteau lying open at his feet, and pick
ed up a revolver, which he pointed
straight Mt G~ollipeck.
You make an excellent target" he OBJ
served, quickly, putting his finger on the
trigger.
DR.. Gollipeck sat down and arranged
his handkerchief over his knees.
VERY likely" he answered eoolly, but
a target you won't practice on"
why not?' asked Vandeloup, still
keeping his finger on the trigger.
Because the pistol shot would alarm
the house, said Gollipeck, serenely, and
il | was found dead, you would be arrest
ed for my murder. If l was only wound
ed / could tell a few facts about NJ. Oc-
tave Braulard that would have an I'M
pleasant influence on the life of NJ. Gas
ton Vapdeloup."
Vandeloup laid the pistol down on the
mantelpiece with a laugh, and, sitting
down in a chair opposite Gollipeck, began
to talk.
"You are a brave man. HI said. 81
admire brave men,"
You are a clever man." retorted the
doctor; II admire clever men,"
Very good" said Nandeloup. "As we
now understand one another, 1 await your
explanation of this visit
He heard the doctor coolly to the end,
and smiled quietly.
in the first place." he said, smoothly,
II acknowledge the truth of all your
story, except the latter part, and I must
compliment you on the admirable way you
have guessed the identity of BrauIard
with Vandeloup, as you have no proof to
show that they are the same. But with
regard to the death of Mademoiselle
Sprouts, she died as you have said but I,
though the maker of the poison, did not
administer it."
"Who did, them asked Gollipeck, who
was quite prepared for this denial.
kitty Marchurst."
DR. EolIipapk rOSe and woIkad 10 ord
fro in the little clear space left among
the disorder.
you are not shielding yourself behind
this girl?" asked the doctor, coming close
to him.
How could II" replied Vandeloup. II
could not have gone down to st. Kilda,
climbed over a wall with glass bottles on
top, and committed the crime, as Kitty
Marchurst says it was done. If I had
done this there would be some trace-no,
1 assure you Mademoiselle Marchurst, and
none other, is the guilty woman. She was
in the room-Madame Midas asleep in
bed. What was easier for her than to
pour the poison into the glass, which stood
ready to receive it? Mind you, l don't
say she did it ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Observation-Disclosures you like-but
she did it.
why" said Gollipeck. warmly, you'd
argue a rope round this girls neck even
before she had a trial. l believe you did
it yourself"
DR.. Gollipeck was Disguised at the
smooth brutality of this man, moved hast
lily to the door and left the room.
"'Whew !" calculated Vandeloup; 'this
doctor, what a dangerous fool but I have
got the better Of him, and at all events, |
1 rave saved Vandeloup from suffering
for the crime of Braulard."