The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-13

otiA. sol ~ 81 OdSh w AHSN
York today. to look after some invest
ments. I'd like to stay. old man, blu
l really can't"
Something in the faces of his audi
tors stopped him. and he change,
color.
What do you fellows want. any
way?" he demanded hotly.
sit down, Mr.. D%rysdale." said TIN
coroner solemnly, himself taking
chair. Our business may take SOM
little time. You w a revolver. l be
Yes" said Jack, "a Smith & Yves
son. i was just looking for 1t. Whel
l opened my trunk just now, L missed
How long has it been since you saw
Il can't say-two or three days. per,
You kept 1t in your trunk?"
And the trunk was locked?"
"Yes-that is, generally"
Was it locked last night?"
ce rYeg-t5 belts Is; l don't know-1'm no
Did you have your revolver las
night?"
two. I tell you"
"1ss tbs our revolver" asked the
coroner, producing the weapon.
NAAh " y iIl0 lOoASu III III
with an air OF establishment.
Why. YES" he said. where die
you get it?"
And ISIS tbs your raincoat?"
"Yes-but what"
last night2"
"Yes-but I insist"
"Mr: Drysdale." asked tho coroner
sternly. for what purpose did YOU &c
out last night, and where did you go?'
Drysdale sprang to his feet. his face
red with anger.
why. you Internal busy-body.." he
cried. Its none of your business"
Ten you refuse to answer?"
Il most certainly do. and I thlnk you'd
better go back to Babylon"
Il shall go back in due time. Mr..
D~rysdale," retorted the coroner in a
cool voice. holding up his hand. Per
haps you have. as yet. not heard of tie
murder committed here last night and
of tie robbery which accompanied it?"
Drysdale paled suddenly. his hands
were trembling
"Murder!" he repeated blanl,ly. Rob
bery!"
Precisely. Graham tie gardener was
pearl necklace stolen. You We're tie
only person who left tie house. Your
revolver was found beside him. TITS
button, torn from your coat, was found
In his hand. I hope you will now per
ceive tie wisdom of giving us a tetailed
account OF your movements while you
were away from tie house."
Drysdale had listened with a grow
ing pallor. When the coroner finished,
he was fairly livid. and III passed his
hand helplessly before his eyes. But
he did not speak.
"Wen?" asked Heffelbower impa-
tiently. after a moment.
nvxyc1o1o t10l- l~-,. NJ - .
steadied himself against the back of
his chair.
II have nothing to say" he MUIR
INJURED hoarsely.
The coroner stared in astonish-
ment.
You don't mean"
Il mean that I have nothing to say"
repeated Drysdale. this time in a firm
er tone.
oh. come. Jack" burst out Delroy,
don't be so obstinate. Tell us where
you were. OF course / know you didn't
murder Graham"
Thank you. Dickie." and Drysdale
it; I'm ready to swear that by any oath
you please. But I can't tell you or any
body where I was
Don't let any little secret stand in
the way" protested Delroy. This isn't
II can't TELL" repeated Drysdale
firmly.
DO you persist in tat decision.
asked the sharply.
II certainly do"
Ten" said H%efrelbower, rising in
his turn. ''in tie name of tie law,
shall hat to arrest you. Please finish
your dressing"
Very WE'LL" returned Drysdale com
posedly. and set about his toilet. while
I0i1rNv watched him IN n lS~l 80 l-z-I
perplexity. It took but a few moments.
I'm ready" he said.
"Jack!" cried Delroy again. but the
other stopped him with a gesture.
Don't worry, Dickie." he said. ~
didn't do 1t. They can't convict me.
I'm not in the least afraid"
Heffelbower took the key from the
door and transferred 1t to the outside.
I'm hat to lock up tbs ROOM" he said
"It Will hat to be searched"
Delroy nodded his consent and the
little procession passed out into the
hall.
Suddenly from the farther end came
the swish OF skirts and Grace Croydon
appeared, radiant as the new day. She
paused in establishment as She saw the
group, then she came forward. He,
eyes went %anxiously from face to face
What Is IL. Richard?" she asked
What has ~happened?"
LEROY iauknGQ Il mlrInieSS laugh.
Enough and to spare" he answered
They're arresting Jack. here. for muir
der"
For murder!" she breathed, ant
caught at the balustrade. "Oh. surely
you're joking!"
Jack seems to think it's a joke" h,
retorted bitterly.
"oh, why did you kill him?" she cried
turning upon her lover. why did 20,
not wait"
Kill hint" echoed Delroy. But h,
didn't Grace. How can you think sucl
a thing? He could clear himself by tell
ing where he was last night. and h,
refuses to do it. Maybe he'll tell you.
She turned her searching eyes to he
lovers face.
Where were you last night. Jack?'
she asked. You'll tell me. won't you?'
Tell you?" he sneered, his eye
blazing with savage anger. "Wher
was L? You ask me that?"
And with a gesture Of fierce con
tempt. he went on down the stair.
PART lv-DAWN.
CHAPTER l..
A THREAD BREAKS.
1t was not until the Sunday evening
following Tremaine's departure that