davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16
By BURTON E. STEVENSON
n Story of Manbaf1a,

emposSeu IN pIue AT tne top. There
We're also ON the table pens, an ink
stand and two or three blotters. lie
turned the blotters over. but only one
Of them showed any sign of having
been used. and the marks Oh il were
very faint, yet they seemed to interest
Godfrey. He bent over them with pu2-
zled face. Then he got out little
magnifying glass and studied them
again.
Lester" he said, at last, Il wish
you'd take look ut this" and he
pushed the biotter and glass toward
ne. What do you make of it,"
| gaZed through the glass at the
marks. but for IL moment could MAKE
nothing OF them. Then they resolved
themselves into Il string of letters
marching backward. fairly distinct at
one end. but fading away 10 nothing
ness at the other.
Somebody seems 10 have been serb
bling II lot OF disconnected letters on
piece Of paper said, ut last. Il can't
make out any words. The letters seem
to be mostly BIS and G's-yes. and
here's an |.
Thomas" said Godfrey, will y9u go
down and ask Mr.. Delroy if lie has n
sample OF Mr.. Tremaine's hand wr.tipg 9,
and. if 50. if lie will lei us see il for Al
moment
Thomas went out instantly and |
| looked at Godfrey in surprise.
You think those marks have some
value" / asked.
Godfrey drummed absently on the
table and stared out Of the window.
u don't know" he answered. but
in an investigation Of this kind no
| point Is too small to DE important.
We've got 10 examine everything
weigh everything. pile up every little
| atom OF evidence. if We expect to tip
the scale il our direction. It's very
| probable that Tremaine never made
| these marks at all: even If he did they
| probably have no Significance. But in
any event il won't do any harm to
make sure: and. besides. I'd like to see
! sample of his handwriting just for
its own sake-the handwriting of Il man
| like that ought to be interesting. All
| here is Thomas"
Here's letter. sir said Thomas.
Godfrey opened 1t and glanced 1T the
contents.
He's a good penman.' he said: see
Lester" and he handed me the sheet
but it's quite different hand from
the one on the blotter-much broader
and more maSculiue-jus such hand
as one would naturally expect man
I like Tremaine 10 write
He explained it again for a moment,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

T~ THOMAS led the way through
1 the hall and up the stair.
ESsSS5SNi Which room Will you look
iSES9) ut first. SIR" he asked.
Let us see Mr.. Tremaine's room
first"
Very well, sir" said Thomas. and
opened Il door and stood aside 10 let
us pass.
There was nothing at all eNtraordi-
nary about the room. 1t was large.
well lighted. well ventilated. Wei fur
nished-Just the sort of bedroom one
would naturally expect 10 find IN 4
luxurious country house.
Godfrey cast Il glance about II; then
he wesi 10 one of the windows. opened
it and stepped out upon the balcony.
He walked along the balcony 10 the
end where the heavy creeperS We're.
took Il look 1T them and finally came
back 10 the window.
That's all" he said. as he stepped
through into the room. ''Of course
ddut expect 10 ind anything here Our
friend is much too clever II be caught
mapping that way. Thomas. | suppose
tlliS table is just where it was Wien
Mir. Tremaine had the room"
Yes. sir"
Godfrey sat down At II. measuring
tie distance from il 10 the window.
Lester" he said. Il wish you'd 90
out and come up the walk and see If
you can see me sitting here"
/ ran down the stairs and did rs he
directed, but could catch not IL glimpse
OF him.
"Well:" he called down. coming TO
the open window.
Il can't see you ut all" | said.
Il thought 50. Come up again"
He was sitting again at the table
when | opened the door.
Now. take II look at it. Lester" he
said. You'll see that the table is SO
far away from the window that it's
quTte Impossible for any one on the
ground outside to see the person sitting
at ii. Yet DrySdale stated distinctly
that he saw Tremaine sitting at the
table writing when he came back from
that mysterious walk. What would
you argue from that"
That Tremaine had moved the table
nearer To the window"
And why should lie do that?"
ITO get better light perhaps"
yentured.
He might have done it In the day
time. 10 get Il better light. but at
night he would get u much worse one
over there by the window than here.
The lights. youll observe. hang from
the. center. of the ceiling"
Then he did it," 1 said, lin order
that he might be seen from outside"
That's IT, Not only that he might
be seen but that Drysdalc might see
him. wonder If this is the kind OF
paper Ae wrote on
We keep Il supply of it in all tn
guest rooms. sir" volunteered Thomas.
Godfrey took it up and looked at 1t.
1t was plain white linen of good
quality. with the word "Edgemere"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

"iOur sister neUer tCdS the lCite OF Ire
maine"
Your pardon Lester" he added, with
a tieeting smile: Il forgot to show it
to you Oh the trip out. Please read it
aloud. Miss Croydon"
The widow of Victor Charente," she
read in Il low voice. died here Feb.
81, 1901. Had never married again"
She looked up. her brows still knitted.
Well" she asked.
well" said Godfrey, Victor Cha
rente is the real name Of Tremaine He
married that girl many years before
he met your sister. She was his legal
wife. Your sister never was. She was
never the legal wife of any one except
Richard Delroy''
She understood now, and the glad
tears burst forth unrestrained. In
deed, she made no effort to restrain
them. but only rocked back and forth,
pressing the message against her
heart.
Thank Godw she sobbed. "ThanB
God"' And then she started up from
her chair. Il must tell her." she said
lat once. If you knew how she has
suffered. She must not be left in thai
cruel position an instant longer"
Very WELL" agreed Godfrey. eve
will wait for you here
She disappeared through door a
, the farther end of the room, but III ,
! moment came softly back again.
"She Is asleep" she said Il vii
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

some kn0tty problem TO Wrestle with
to need SO many"
He walked slowly about the room,
looking at everything keenly, but
touching nothing. lie stood gazing ut
the bed for long time. Then he
turned again TO the table.
Here's the diary" he said, picking
up little book which lay there. so
Helfelbower didn't get it. Well, |
guess I'd better see he doesn't have
another chance"
He weighed il in his hand, and /
could see how it tempted him. Per-
haps here lay the very key which he
had been seeking III vain, But III u
moment he slipped it unopened into
his pocket.
"a man is IL fool to make promises,
he observed. with a wry smile, and
sat down at the table. Hello. what's
this" he added suddenly. and. stoop-
ing. he tShed FROM the wasteDaSket
beside him the fragments of Il cane.
II was Il cane certainly of ut least
ordinary strength, and yet it had been
broken into half dozen pieces and
hurled into the basket.
Whistling softly TO himself, Godfrey
surveyed it Il moment: then he bent
over the basket and examined the re
malnder of its contents piece by piece
There We're scraps of letters, torn
envelope. crumpled sheet of paper
He sprang 10 his feet with Il cry Of
triumph and waved il i'll the air
I've found it, he cried. his face
beaming. I've found il. Lester
Found what" | questioned. more
and more astonished, for Godfrey was
usually master of his emotions.
"Ah. Lester he continued more
calmly as lie Smoothed il out carefully
Oh the table. this takes Il lot of con-
ceit out of me. Had | been really
clever Id have deduced the existence
of this message long before | entered
the room AS il is. its luck-pure
luck. I'm glad to win on any terms,
but I'd rather win by scientific deduc-
| ton. {. Auguste Dupin would have
come straight upstairs. walked straight
| to that basket and selected unerrinSly
| this sheet OF paper; he would have
| known that it was there, while l-we!l.
one can only do ones best and this
point WAS little too fine for me. Take
| look at it,
1t was Il sheet of the ordinary Edge
mere note paper. Across it two lines
We're written:
BE at the pergoIa at 9 If I am late
| wait for me. q.
We'll" | faltered we'll
oh. don't you see. Lester, its the
| key 10 the whc.~ problem: Its the
| light we've been looking fOr-with our
eyes shut. And To think that instead
| of coming straight here for it should
have stumbled about in the dark fol-
| SO long. Its the only possible eXplana-
| ton. and yet | didn't think of it. 1t
was inevitable from the first, and Yet
| | couldn't see il. 1t diSgustS me with
mySelf-it's what | get for being 81
| cooked up over finding that bottle
| down there. Even after | saw that
| blotter | didn't guess it
He had taken out Il card. and as he
| spoke he wrote Il rapid sentence on it.
| Here" he said to Thomas. take
this 10 Miss Croydon at once, please"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

fired at him, but my shot went wild.
while his
She stopped and buried her face IN
her hands. overcome for the moment
by the terrible spectacle her words had
evoked.
Size controlled herself by an effort,
took down her hands
He put his pistol away and stepped
over very close TO me.
Miss Croydon lie said rapidly. it
will be well for you to say you did not
know me. have committed no crime:
he was the aggressor; what | did WAS
done in self defense. One thing more
your sister has nothing 10 fear from
me; | shall never bother her again; l
promise you that
He was gone in an instant and
then the janitor came and you and the
detectives"
Godfrey nodded thoughtfully.
That supplies the motive, Lester"
he said. Il have felt that my eXplana-
ton Of the crime was not quite ade-
Quate. But IL WAS not only desire for
revenge that urged Tremaine on; it
was also the knowledge that Thompson
knew Of his first marriage and threat
ened with word 10 wreck his plans
second time
Yes" | agreed and sat silent. pom
dering the story.
why did You take the clippings.
Miss Croydon" asked Godfrey after
moment.
Prom what you read OF them
suspected how vitality they concerned
my sister That was Il secret. | felt.
which must be- kept at any hazard. 1t
was done without consideration. on the
spur of the moment. or / should never
have had the courage 10 do it at all
And why did you hide them under
the carpetg
She laughed outright. The load was
! lifted She WAS fast becoming her
| usual self
| Il had Il wild idea that you We're go
| ing to search me saw that loose
| place in the carpet the instant | arose
with the clippings in my hand. once
l had put them there l had no chance
at all 10 get them again
Godfrey nodded.
You tried to get them the day after
| the inquest. didn't you"
Yes; hut the janitor was so afraid of
me that he wouldn't even let me 20
| upstairs
And there weren't any papers"
"No: that was lie. | saw | must
J invent one-that l must offer some ex-
| PLANTATION of my presence there"
Did Tremaine keep his promise:"
| Not TO bother my sister: Yes; he
mentioned ii again only 10 assure me
that the past was dead-that he would
never revive it.
But how could you admit his pres
ence here"
How could we prevent it: 1t was
Mr.. Dtlrov who brought him. We
some weapon ana picked up piece OF
pipe that lay beside the radiator.
| Thompson saw the action and lurched
| heavily toward him.
"'Goin' / use that on rue, Nic:' he
asked. You'd better try it And he
| made Il pass at Tremaine and tried Ia
snatch the pipe away. You try it on.
an I'll blow your game like did once
before down ut sydney
He struck ut Tremaine again. but
the latter sprang away and in an in
slant had brought the pipe down upon
his head. Thompson fell like a log;
then that tiendish look flashed into
| Tremaine'S face for n second time: he
| Snatched out revolver: | dimiy un-
derstood what was coming indeed. ]
had nv own revolver in nv hand, and
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

God trey opened it and stepped out upon
The bdlcony.
then folded 1t up and handed it back to
Thomas.
Perhaps Mr.. Delroy will want 1t
again" he said.
Now. let us see Mr.. Drysdales
room"
AS he got up from the table | no
ticed that he still held the blotter in
his hand, and saw him place it care
fully III an inner pocket After ALL
then, he did attach some Importance
to il.
The room which had been occupied
by DrysdaIe was the counterpart of
Tremaine's, but il was III great dis
order. An open trunk stood in the mid
die of the door, with clothing strewn
about it; the bed had not been made
I'VE was ordered not t do anything
toward settin' this room to rights" ex-
planned Thomas apologetically, It'll
the coroner sent lis word we might.
He amt sent no word yet
1t was evident that Drysdale had
been packing very hastily when he
was interrupted by the arrival OF the
officers. The clothing which was in
the trunk had been crammed in care
lessly-though. of course. that might
have been done by the coroner after
searching it.
"Drysdale evidently didn't spend
much time i'll bed that night" observed
Godfrey and indicated pile of ciga-
rette stubs heaped high on an ash
tray on the table. gle must have had
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

One would have thought her Il mere
chance u acquaintance of my client.
| saw Godfrey looking at her with
searching eyes. and his face hardened.
We mean TO he successful he said
CURLY. You may as we'll ask us to sit
down. Miss Croydon. because our bust
ness here will take some time, and |
am sure it will tire you 10 stand"
Really" she began: then her eyes
met his, burning with meaning. "Oh.
very we'll" she said family and sank
into the chair nearest her.
Now. Miss Croydon" Godfrey con
tinued i'll the same coldly Imperative
tone. Il intend 10 speak TO you bluntly
and directly. We have beaten about
the bush too long already. | see that
you are not inclined 10 deal frankly
with us. You have not been frank
with us from the first. You have sought
to blind lis. to throw us off the track.
Therefore | shall tell you what we
already know in order that you may
realize how useless it is for you to try
TO hold us off. We're going to see that
the guilty man is punished. not for this
crime alone, but also for that other
one at the Marathon. of which you
We're the only witness. You shall not
be permitted to keep him from justice
ii day longer. In the first place, We
know that this man Tremaine inveigled
your sister into a schoolgirl elOpement
and marriage; she was rescued from
him; she thought him dead; she mar
ried DelrOy; came To New York; Ire
maine followed her aud attempted the
eXtortion Of black mail: you met him at
the Marathon: while you We're talking
Thompson interfered and Tremaine
killed him. escaping before the officers
| arrived. You did not know Thompson,
but you saw SimmUnds and me take
out his pocketbook. You heard me
| read line or two from one of Il packet
Of clippings We found there. and While
+ we We're i'll the bedroom you took those
| clippings from the body and hid them
under the edge of the carpet
She breathed long sigh and sat
erect again.
All" she said. with little smile. ~
was beginning to fear you. all that
seemed So supernatural. But now |
! see where your information came
| from
III is correct. them" asked Godfrey.
YES" she answered. Yes"
Godfrey leaned back in his chair. with
a long sign of relief. He had won the
battle.
Miss Croydon" he said. I'm going
10 reward you for your frankneSs by
| telling you something which | had in
tended 10 keep secret awhile longer,
| just to punish you. Your sister never
| WAS the wife OF 1remai+le and has
nothing whatever to fear from him.
He has no hold on her at all. She has
never been anybodys wife but Mr.
| Delroy'S."
She was staring at him with widely
opened eyes. her hands clasped above
| her heart
"Oh. if it We're really so"' she cried.
''If il We're really S0.'
| 1T is So" repeated Godfrey. and
took a little yellow envelope from his
pocket. Read this" And he unfolded
Il sheet of paper and held it toward
her
She took it with trembling hand and
read the message written upon it, but
seemingly without understanding it.
1t is II cable" he explained. from
the Records correspondent at Dieppe.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16
CTo Be ContinuedD
Huntinu for Trouble,

I've lived in California 90 years, and
am still hunting for trouble in the way
of burns. sores. wounds. bOils, cuts.
sprains. or Il case of piles that Buck
lens Arnica Salve won't quickly cure.
writes Charles Walters. of Allegheny.
Sierra county. No use hunting. Mr..
Walters: il cures every case. Guaran-
teed at w. T. HartZ' drug store. 30l
Twentieth street 25c.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

q II mat llc emu WIS al BdHus
STnI that we We're about to pene-
eASSal trate the mystery. Indeed. l
already had IL vague iuliling of the
truth-too vague to be put into words.
too obscure 10 he diScerned clearly. |
was trembling with eagerness. en-
deavOred To string upon Il common
thread the bits of evidence which had
seemed to Godfrey 50 important-the
bottle. the scratches on the wall. the
coat rack. the broken cane, the note;
but for the life of me | could see no
connection between them. Yet | knew
there must be or Godfrey would not
nov he walking up and down the room
with II face so beamin%. SO triumphant.
Miss Croydon will see you at once.
sir announced Thomas from the
threshold. and we followed him to the
farther end of the corridor. where he
tapped ut Il door. \ voice babe us
enter.
She was standing by Il window. look
| ing out across the waters of the bay
and she did not turn for an instant
not. indeed. until Godfrey had closed
'iit 'i'DI al hllN LIhI Li'l Z
seen few women more regal more
| magnificent. yet there was about her
in her face. in the dro0p of her figure
such an air of utter misery. of exquisite
suffering, that, after the first moment
one forgot to admire her in the desire
| to I've of service.
| you wished to see me-" she asked
| in low voice.
Eyes. Miss Croydon" replied God
frey, more gently perhaps than he had
| intended 10 speak. This Is Mr.. Les
ter" he added, who has been engaged
| to defend Mr.. DrySdale"
She acknowledged the Introduction
with the faintest of bows.
Il hope Mr.. Lester will be success
full she said. in the coolest of tones
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

traced to the kidneys,
but now modern
science proves that
nearly all diseases
have their beginning
i'll the disorder OF
these most important
organs.
The kidneys filter
and purify the blood
that is their work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

If YOU ARE TROUBLED with liver.
stomach, kidney diseases. rheumatism,
eczema. and all blood diseases, drink
DEPLER'S MINERAL SPRING WATER
Ii has cured me of stomach trouble of
- years standing, and 80 or more cit
liens will testify to its merits. If you
are well. keep well. The mineral analy-
sis shows as follows:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16
WASTING STRENGTH

Women who suffer from unnecessary disagreeabe,
painful, weakening, female complaints, will find that
Wine of Cardui is safe and pleasant remedy for all
their ills. 1t acts directly upon all the delicate nfamed
tissues, purifying the blood, throwing off the clogging
matter and relieving female disorders such Irregular
scanty, profuse, painful catamenia, prolapse, etc.
Also relieves headache, backache, dizziness,
cramps, dragging palms, nervousness, irrtabity, etc.
If you need advice, write us letter. telling us all
your symptoms. We will send free advice Gin plain
sealed enveope). Address: Ladies' Advisory Dept
The Chattanooga Medicine Co., Chattanooga, Tenn.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

Therefore, when your kldneysare weak
or out OF order, YOU can understand how
quickly your entire body is affected and
how every organ seems to fail to do its
duty.
II YOU are sick or feel badly" begin
taking the great kidney remedy, DIR.
Kilmer's Swamp-Root, because as soon
as your kidneys are we'll they will help
all the other organs TO health. A trial
will convince anyone.
If YOU are sick you can make no mis-
take by first doctOring your kidneys.
The mild and the extraordinary effect of
DIR. kilmer's Swamp-Root, the great
kidney remedy, is soon realized. 1t
stands the highest for its wonderful cures
of the most distressing cases, and is sold
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16
Often The Kidneys Are
Weakened by Over Work.

Unhealthy Kidneys Make Impure Blood.
1t used to be considered that only
urinary and bladder troubles were to be
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

on its merits by all
druggists i'll fifty-cent
and one-dollar size
bottles. You may
have a SamDle hottie
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16

by mail free, also pamphlet telling you
how to find out if you have kidney or
bladder trouble. Mention this paper
when writing to DIR. Kilmer s; Co., Bing
hamton, n. y, Don make any mistake,
but remember the name, Swauip-Root
DIR. Kilmer's Swamp Root, and the adj
dress, Binghamton, N. ", on every bottle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16
CHAPTER \NNII-

W As conscious. in i dim way,
that the end was ut hand,
that we We're about to pene-
trate the mystery. Indeed, l
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-16
CHAPTER NNNI.

T THOMAS led the way through
1 the hall and up the stair.
|SsSS5SSi Which room Will you look
As2s5l ut first. SIR" he asked.
Mexico Missouri message., 1907-07-18
REHEARsAL IN A CAR.
Professional Entertainer Was Almost
Too Successful.

'rhe other night. coming home in
the car" said the professional enter.
tainer. Il began 70 wonder II could
bring tears to my own eyes as l do
to the eyes Of the other people.
tried. thought Of all the wrongs
hsd committed, and felt sorry for peo-
pie | had wronged. thought Of all
the mistakes had made that other
people had profited by and pretty soon
the tears began 20 gather In my eyes
and roll down my cheeks.
Il forgot there we're other people
in the car who might notice me. Soon
. woman got up from across the car
and came to me.
"T see. SIR said abe, that you are
In some trouble. Can ! do anything to
help you?
Lord bless you. no. madam told
her, hastily wiping away my tears, I
am q professional entertainer and was
practlcing on myself. That's all"
Mexico Missouri message., 1907-07-18
ALMOST a SOLID SORE.
Skin Disease from BIrth-Fortune
Spent on Her Without Benefit
Cured Her with cutleura.

Il have a cousin in Rockingham Co.
who once had a skin disease from her
birth until she was six years Of age.
Her father had spent fortune on her
to'get her cured and none Of the treat
ments did her any good. Old DR.. -
suggested that he try the Cuticura
Remedies which he did. When he COM
menced to use 1t the child was almost
a solid scab. He had used It about two
months and the child was well.
could hardly believe she was the same
child. Her skin was as soft as baby's
without a scar on It. have not seen
her in seventeen years, 1ut l have
heard from her and tho last time !
heard she was well. Mrs. w. p. Ingle,
Burlington, N. G, June 16. 1905"
Mexico Missouri message., 1907-07-18
Tho ROYAL Roaa.

Struggling Author-why. De Poesy.
how prosperous you looki Was your
last book Of poems 4 success?
De Posey-No-o, can't say that II
was.
Published . popular novel. per-
haps?"
mo"
"Ah. then you have written = play.
! have always held that play writing.
while not the highest form OF art. was
neVertheless--"
Il have written no play"
you havent7 Where did these fine
clothes come from? How did you pay
for that handsome turnout"
Il have abandoned literature and
am peddling ciams."--N. Y. Weekly.
Mexico Missouri message., 1907-07-18
NEWSOF MISSOURI
Liquor Club Escapes RaIdInu.

81. Joseph--An effort was made TO
arrest the steward of the Monroe club.
the Democratic organization. for vio-
lation Of the order closing all clubs on
Sunday. Two officers who did not
understand the difference between
clubs having charters and fake clubs
were finally persuaded that they were
in an embarrassing position and left.
The management OF the club is trying
to ascertain who issued the order to
raid the place. There we're no arrests
OF proprietors OF fake clubs for lifting
the lid" Sunday although the police
were given orders to be extremely vIgi-
liant.