The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-09-26
higgins gasped and choked. staring

wide-eyed.
why. that's sol" he cried. That's
sol 1 never thought O. that! Mebbe
there Is @ damn scoundrel hidin' round
here some'rs," and he glanced excitedly
UP and down the hall.
''Ihe police will find him IL there is
said Godfrey reassuringly. What hap
pened after you reached the room?'
We'll" continued Higgins, quoting
down a little, but still keeping one eye
over HIS shoulder, las / was sayin',
] throwed open tn door, an there was
tn girl leanin' agin tn wall an Thomp-
son on tn floor with O big blood-spot on
his shirt front. 1 jest give one look
at 'em an then I went down tn steps
three ut a time an owe Z tn station.
I tell you, 1t purity nigh done me up"
He was interrupted by a tramp of
feet that came down the stairs. 1t
was Sifnmonds and the coroner, closely
attended by the crowd of reporters.
who Immediately surrounded Godfrey.
In threatening admiration.
How did you happen to be here? %
demanded Rankin of the Planet.
"Just luck" explained Godfrey, look
ing around the group with a pleasant
emile.
docs 1t mean another SCOOP
.Oh. no.; not at all! l dare say you
ACAtOnS hllOW " AWFUL IL " lIldIl
/ do"
"Oh, of course we do;'' assented
Rankin dryIy. amid derisive laughter.
AT least" Godfrey added" MI. Gold
berg has all the facts and Is probably
willing to help you out"
YES agreed the coroner: but it's
getting late, and I'm In a hurry-Ill
give you ten minutes at my Office" and
he started toward the door.
"An right said Rankin; come on
boys" and they trooped gu Of the
building together.
Simmonds waited until the last of
them had disappeared.
well, we searched the house." he be-
gan.
Nobody there?'' asked Godfrey.
mot a living soul. / didn't really ex~
pect TO find anybody; but we went
through every room-even to the suites
which are occupied"
Higgins opened his mouth suddenly;
then as suddenly closed 1t.
did you find the doors all locked?'
Every one; the hall windows bolted
on the inside and the trap I'm the roof
hooked I'm place. There's only one way
our man could get out-that was by
the front door yonder," and Simmonas
looked sharply at the janitor.
Higgins grew red in the face.
II ain't got nothin' more t say" he
q " 81 Oai LOu Il NC q III
] did II, next" ~.
''oh, no" retorted Simmonds coolly,
you didn't do It. But I'm not quite
sure you've told us all o know"
Higgins sprang from his chair, fairly
foaming at the mouth with rage but
Simmonds calmly disregarded him.
rive left a man on guard I'm a." he
said. Goldberg wants to bring his
jury around In the morning to look at
things. Here's your keys" and he
handed the jingling ring back to the
1anitor.
There's a mar coming up from the
office TO take a fiash-light OF it," said
Godfrey. mo objection to that, ]
Euess7"
the morning to talk IL over. l think I'll
nave some news for you" and he went
on out into the street.
Higgins sat down again. still nursing
his wrath.
ibid " hear him?" he demanded.
'sWhy, he as good as called me a LIAR"
.tOh, you mustn't mind him." said
Godfrey soothingly. TITS his business
TO be suspicious. Ee doesn't really sus-
pect you .
well, they amt no cause t suspect
mel amt done nothin'." returned the
janitor; then he looked meditatively al
his keys. which he still held in his
hand. Funny" he murmured; funny.
] don't know when they went out"
Godfrey said nothing. but contem-
plated him through half-closed eyes.
AT that instant the street door opened
and a man and woman entered.
There they come now!" cried Hig-
gins, springing to his feet. Good even
In, Mr.. Tremaine."
Good evening" returned the
stranger, in a voice s~ingularly rich
ard pleasant.
II was Jest a-sayin' t. my friend
see " go out"
Godfrey. for an instant. found him,
self gazing into a pair of the keeneSt
yes he ever encountered.
you wished to see me?" asked Ire
maine.
"oh, no, no. interrupted Higgins;
but tn plice was goin' through tn
buildin'-"
The poiiceg'
ooh, / fergot-you don't know-that
man Thompson's been murdered-ht
ihad tn loot right acrost tn hall from
YOU"
'sMurdered!" echoed Tremaine. MUIR.
dered! Why, that's TERRIBLE! Who die
81? How did II ~happen?"
Higgins retold the story with some
JUNCTION. evidently enjoying his listen
er's horror. But Godfrey did not ever
glance at him. He was gazing-per
haps a shade too intently for polite,
ness-at Mrs. Tremaine. And. indeed
she was a woman to hold any mans
eyes.
Tremaine drew a deep breath wher
the story was finished.
THE house has been searched" III
asked. 1.-THE scoundrel couldn't be hid
den
"oh, no, Higgins assured him: I'll
piice went all through it-even through
your rooms"
I'm glad of that-then We can sleeI
I'm peace"
Godfrey rather wondered that Mrs
Tremaine took no part in the discus
sion. She stood listening alphabetically
not even noticing his stare.
when they told me they'd gone
through your rooms added Higgins
II was kind o. surprised. 1 thought yot
was at home t night"
And that we stayed in rooms
during all that row." queried IRE
maine, smiling. IT suppose there wa
a row" .. .
His eyes sought Godfrey's again
then he turned hack to Rigging. evil