Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-04-17

He stepped to the door and unlocked and
voiver In his hand. rushed into the room.
Hello! What's this?" he exclaimed, as
as an6 took IN he ns
then he caught sight of Blanton. "Oh.
here you are!" he added. in relieved tone
"You come with rush. Harry" said
Blanton. with smile; what is the cause
OF your excitement?"
yonder, had made away with you, old
fellow" was the reply.
-, And you were going to make away
"Weii, / would have done the best
could. that is certain" and Blanton knew
that this was true so Blake as was ss, true da
pend upon in an emergency.
II am glad you are here. Harry" said
Blanton; II have some work to do, and
shall be glad Of your help"
prisoners to jail?"
present. Miss Weatherby. will you come
with us? And you, Reverend Fitzgerald"
The preacher bowed, and walked out of
the room without word, and MISS Weatn-
Harry Blake, followed. Then Harry went
and Blanton followed closing and locking
The party then made it's way upstairs.
to the first floor. and to the parior. where
the detective told Miss Weatherby and his
II wish to show this gentleman out" he
said. indicating the preacher He went to
the door. and after holding a conversation
opened the door and let him out. What
he said to the preacher he never told any
one, but he must have raked the man over
subdued and somewhat frightened look on
Reverend Fitzgerald's face when ne TOOK
his departure.
asked Miss Weatherby II she knew where
he would find a certain man servant, ana
he the man otSs no WheS
they went there in response to the decoy
note .
young lady; The quit and went away this
Good" said the detectives; Il am glad
of it,"
Harry Blake and Miss weatherby looked
at the detective inquiringly, but he did not
offer to explain.
Mordaunt and Sawyer, Mr.. Blanton?" the
young lady asked, presently.
III you have no objections, 1 VIII leave
them where they are tonight, and possibly
for day or two longer. Miss Weatherby."
=" 4 do not object; but who win feed
Il win see that it is attended to-"
Every WELL but can you hold them, Mr..
Blanton? Have they committed 2 crime CT In
"Oh. yes; Kidnapping is certainly an Of
tense that the law will take cogntzance
force FOL- J yon to ' marry him That is crime
81 am glad to hear that the law can
take hold upon him." said the young wo-
man; but she did not seem to be very en-
thusiastic about the matter.
After some further conversation. In which
the young woman told how she had been
in the cellar, Mordaunt and Sawyer having
done the work; and how the former had
tried to get her to promise to marry h MN I'M
young lady goodnight and took their de-
Instead Of leaving the grounds, however.
Blanton led the way around to the rear
OF the mansion, and entered by way Of the
same window through which he had en-
tered before. Blake, wondering what 1T
what are you going to do. anyway, old
fellow" he asked: why have we emerged
from the front door. only to go around and
climb in through a rear Window?
Just wait and you will soon know all,
Harry" was the quiet reply.
Blanton led the way, opening the slide
the benefit OF his companion than for his
own, for he was familiar with the way.
After fifteen minutes Of walking along
halls and climbing of stairs the two were
in the old wing, and on the second floor.
Presently Blanton came to stop In front
Of door. underneath which shone q streak
the keyhole as well. Taking his bunch
Of skeleton keys from his pocket. the de-
tecttve tried one.
It did not work, SO he tried another.
This one, too, was a failure, but the third
did the work. and turning the knob. Blan-
ton pushed the door open.
He stepped quickly through the doorway,
and when his companion had followed,
ne pushed the door to and shot the bolt.
Then he turned and faced the inmate OF
the room-who was sitting on a cot at one
side, staring at the intruders In amaze
ment.
The man in question was tall and large
framed, and was doubtless naturally
strong man. physically; but now some
its seal upon his brow, for he was pale.
and his eyes shone with an unnatural light.
"Who are you. and why have you In
truded upon me in this unceremonious and
unwelcome fashion," the man asked. In a
husky voice.
II am detective" said Blanton. quiet
ly. 1T have been engaged for some days In
trying to find the murderer ~of Gordon
Weatherby, and the quest has led me to
this room"
The man on the cot looked at the speaker
in peculiar manner. for few moments,
and then said, slowly:
sYou have made a mistake Mr.. Detec-