Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-08
Hurd started. "Curries-a native?"


sode.
Its strange" said Miss Dian, nod
ding with a PARKWAY look. at would
seem that Mrs. Krill knew of the
whereabouts of her husband before
she saw the handbills."
"And possibly about the murder
Also" said Hurd.
Brother and sister looked at one an.
other. The case was becoming more
and more interesting. Mrs. Krill evil
IDENTIFY knew more than she chose to
admit. But at this moment the train
stopped, and they got out. Hurd took
his handbag and walked into the town
with his pretty sister tripping beside
him. She gave him an additional piece
of Information before they arrived at
the Red Pig. "This Hokar is not at all
popular" she said. 'They say he eats
cats and dogs. Yes. I've talked to
several old women, and they say they
lost their animals. One cat was found
strangled in the yard. and"-
"Strangledw interrupted the detec-
tive. Hum, and the mans an Indian,
possibly thug"
whats thug?" asked Aurora, star
ing.
Hurd explained. 81 ran through the
book lent by Beecot last night" he
added, "and was so interested 1 sat
up till dawn
you do look chippy," said his sister
candidly, 'but from what you say,
there are no thugs living"
-,
queer, this strangling, and then the
cruel way In which the man was muir
dered. Just what a Hindoo would do.
The sugar, too
"Oh, nonsense! Hokar left the sugar
by mistake. If he had intended to
murder Norman he wouldn't have Civ
en- himself away"
Il expect he never thought any one
would guess he was a thug The
novel is not one usually read now
adays. 1t was the merest chance that
Miss Norman came across it and told
Beecot"
81 don't believe in such condolences"
said Aurora dryly, for in spite of her
fluffy, kittenish looks she was a very
practical person. But here we are ut
the Red Pig. Nice and comfy, isn't
it,"
The inn was certainly very pretty.
1t stood on the very verge of the town
and beyond stretched fields and hedge
rows. The house itself was a white
washed, matched, rustic cottage with
badly painted sign of a large red
SOW. Outside were benches. where
topers sat, and the windows were de-
lightfully old fashioned, diamond paned
, easements. Quite a Dickens inn of
the old coaching days was the Red
Pig.
But Hurd gave the pretty, quaint
hostel only a passing glance. He was
staring at woman who stood in the
| doorway shading her eyes with the
| palm of her hand from the setting sun.
In her the detective saw the image of
Deborah Junk, now Tawsey. She was
| of the same gigantic build, with the
same ruddy face, sharp, black eyes
| and boiSterouS manner. But she had
not the kindly look of Deborah, and
of the two sisters Hurd preferred the
one he already knew.
This is my brother, Miss Junk"
said Aurora, marching up to the door,
"TIe will only stay until tomorrow"
You're welcome, SIR said Matilda
in loud and hearty voice, which re-
minded the detective more than ever
of her sister "Will you please walk
in and ave some tea?''
Hurd nodded and repaired to the
tiny sitting room, where he saw the
photograph of Hay on the mantelpiece.
Aurora, at a hint from her brother,
went to her bedroom to change her
dress, and Hurd spoke to Matilda when
she brought in the tray. 81 know your
sister," said he.
Miss Junk nearly dropped the tray.
"Lor', now, only think! Why, we
amt wrote to one another for ten
years. And l left London eleven years
back. And how is she, sir, and where
is she?"
"She is well. She has a laundry in
Jubileetown, near London, and she is
married to a fellow called Bart Taw-
sey''
Married. cried Matilda, setting
down the tray and putting her arms
akimbo just like Deborah. "Lor', and
me still single. But now I've got this
'ouse and bit put by I'll think Of git
tin a 'usband. I amt a-goin' to let
Debby crow over me-"
Your sister was in the service of
Mr.. Norman before she took up the
laundry" observed Hurd, pouring out
\ cup Of tea. E
WAS she, now? And why did she
leaveT
The name of Norman apparently was
unknown to Matilda, so Hurd tried the
effect of another bombshell. Her mas
ter was murdered under the name OF
Lemuel Krill.'
"Mercyw Matilda dropped into q
chair with a thud which shook the
room. "Why, that's my ladies' hus.
band and father"
"What ladies 2" asked Hurd, pretend.
ing ignorance.
my ladies, Mrs. Krill and Miss
Maud. They had this 'ouse and KEEP II
for years respectable. l worked fol