Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-09-04

AAO''gSC~S tNNN~~ JO' N~'~'
ing the splash with my hands, edged
myself back to the door by which
had entered, watching those beautiful
eyes and crushing under my feet the
remnants of some broken china with
which the carpet was bestrewn. had
no thought of her, hardly any Of my
self. To cross the room was all; to es-
cape as secretly as l came, before the
portiere so nearly drawn between me
and the main hall should stir under the
hand of some curious person entering.
1t was my first sight of blood; my first
contact with crime, and that was what
l did, fed"
The last word was uttered with q
gasp. Evidently he was greatly af-
fected by this horrible experience.
II am ashamed Of myself" he NUT
tered, "but nothing can now undo the
fact. 1 slid from the presence Of this
murdered woman as though she had
been the victim Of my own rage or
cupidity and, being fortunate enough
to reach the dressing room before the
alarm had spread beyond the i'm
mediate vicinity of the alcove, found
and put on the handkerchief, which
made 1t possible for me to rush down
and find Miss Van Arsdale, who some
stood over her In that remote corner
| beyond the supper room did again
think Of the gloves. What l did when
happened to think of them you al
ready know. could have shown no
greater cowardice If had known that
the murdered woman's diamond was
! hidden inside them. Yet l did not
know this or even suspect II. Nor do
I understand now her reason for plac-
ing it there. Why should Mrs. Fair
brother risk such an invaluable gem to
the custody of one she knew SO littleF
An unconscious custody too? Was
she afraid Of being murdered IL she re-
tanned this jewell"
The inspector thought a moment, and
then said:
'You mention your dread Of some
one entering by the one door before
you could escape by the other. Do you
refer to the friend You left sitting on
the divan oppositeT
mo, my friend had left that seat
The portiere was sufficiently drawn for
me to detect that. If I had waited q
minute longer" he bitterly added, 81
should have found n1y way open to the
, regular entrance and so escaped all
this"
"Mr. Durand, you are not obliged to
answer any Of my questionV but If
| unsx fch toll xryhofhor n
Z this moment of apprehension, you
thought of the danger you ran of being
seen from outside by some one of the
many coachmen passing by on the
drivewayT
"No; l did not even think of the
window don't know why-but, IL any
one passing by did see me, hope they
saw enough to substantiate my story
The inspector made no reply. he
seemed to be thinking. l heard after
ward that the curtains, looped back IN
the early evening, had been found
e hanging at full length over this win
dow by those who first rushed in upon
the scene of death. Had he hoped tt
a entrap Mr. Durand into some damag
d ing admission or was he merely test
j. ing his TRUTH His expression afford
ed no clew to his thoughts, and Mr.
: Durand, noting this. remarked witt
n some dignity:
n 81 do not expect strangers to accep
these explanations. which must SCUM
strange and inadequate in face Of "a
proof carry of having been with tina
:, woman after the fatal weapon struc
: her heart. But to one who knows me-
: and knows me well, ! can surely ar
q peal for credence to a tale which
here declare to be as true as II l ha
= sworn to 1t in court Of justice"
!. "Anson" / passionately cried GU
loosening my clutch upon my uncle
arm. My confidence in him had N
turned.
And then as / noted the inspector
businesslike air and my uncle's WI
vering look and unconvinced manner
felt my heart swell, and, finging a
y discretion TO the wind, l bounde
X eagerly forward, Laying my hands
those of Mr. Durand, l cried ferventl.
X II believe in you. Nothing but yoI
K. own words shall ever shake my con-