Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-12-13

I l)tlIOA. lOOhIlih opodt a. AtAC NAoOA"N
D~rysdale closed the door and turned
toward him rather sheeplshly.
Fact is, | was packing: Dickie,' ne
said. i've got to go back TO New
York today, to look after some invest
ments. I'd like to stay, old man, but
really can't
Something in the faces OF his audi
tors stopped him, and he changed
color.
what do you fellows want. any
way" he demanded holly.
sit down, Mr.. Drysdale," said the
coroner solemnly, himself taking a
chair. Our business may take some
lieve."
Yes" said Jack. "a Smith q Wes-
son. l vas just looking for II. When
| opened my trunk just now, / missed
How long has it been since you saw
II can't say-two or three days, per-
haps.'
You kept it in you trunk"
Yes"
And the trunk was locked?"
"Yes-that is, generally"
WAS ii locked last night?"
"Yes-that is, don't know-Tm not
certain. Why"
Did you have your revolver last
night?"
mo, l haven't seen it for a day or
two, 1 tell you"
"Iss tbs your revolver" asked the
coroner, producing the weapon
Drysdale took 1t and looked at it
with an air Of establishment.
why, yes" he said. where did
you get it?"
And ISIS It's your raincoat?"
"Yes-but what"
You wore 1t when you went out
last night?"
"Yes-but I insist"
MIR. D~rysdale," asked the coroner
sternly, "for what purpose did you go
out last night, and where did you go?"
Drysdale sprang to his feet, his face
red with anger.
why, you Internal busy-body." he
cried. It's o n of your business"
Ten you refuse to answer"
Il most certainly do, and | think you'd
better go back to Babylon"
Il shall go back in due time, Mr..
Drysdale," retorted the coroner in a
cool voice, holding up his hand. Per
haps you have, as yet, not heard of tie
murder committed here last night and
of tie robbery which accompanied it?"
Drysdale paled suddenly. his hands
were trembling
Murder" he repeated blankly. Rob
berry,"
Precisely. Graham tie gardener was
murdered last night and Mrs. Delroy's
pearl necklace stolen. You were tie
only person who left tie house. Your
revolver was found beside him.. It's
button, torn from you coat, was found
in his hand. / hope you will now per-
ceive tie wisdom of giving US a tetailed
account of your movements while you
were away from tie house"
Drysdale had listened with a grow
ing pallor. When the coroner finished,
he was fairly livid. and he passed his
hand helplessly before his eyes. But
he did not speak.
''Well?" asked Heffelbower impa-
tiently. after a moment.
Drysdale Dol down his hand and
steadied himself against the back of
his chair.
II have nothing to say" he muir
INJURED hoarsely.
The coroner stared in astonish-
ment.
You don't mean"
Il mean that have nothing to say"
repeated Drysdale, this time in a firm
er tone.
"Oh, come. Jack burst out Delroy.
don't be Sc obstinate. Tell us where
you were. OF course | know you didn't
murder Graham"
Thank you. Dickie," and Drysdale
looked at him gratefully. 81 didn't do
I'm ready to swear tina by any oath
you please. But l can't tell or any
body where / was
Don't let any little secret stand in
the way" protested Delroy. This isn't
the time"
II can't TELL" repeated Drysdale
do you persist in tat decision?'
asked the coroner sharply.
II certainly do"
Ten" said H~effelbower, rising IN
his turn. lin tie name of tie law, 1
shall haf TO arrest you. Please finish
your dressing"
Very WE'LL" returned Drysdale COM
posedly, and set about his toilet. while
Delroy watched him In n Kind of dazed
perplexity. 1t took but a few moments.
I'm ready he said.
Jack" cried Delroy again, but the
stopped him with a gesture.
Don't worry. Dickie." he said. II
didn't do IT. They can't convict me.
I'm not In the least afraid"
Heffelbower took the key from the
door and transferred 1T to the outside.
I'm hat to lock up It's room" he said.
1T will haf TO be searched"
Delroy nodded his consent and the
little procession passed out into the
hall.
Suddenly from the farther end came
swish OF skirts and Grace Croydon
appeared, radiant as the new day. She
in establishment as h saw the
group. then she came forward. Her
eyes went anxiously from face to face.
What is 1t, Richard?" she asked.
What has happened?"
Delroy laughed a mirthless laugh.
Enough and 10 spare" be answered.
They're arresting Jack, here, for MUIR
der"
For murderi" she breathed, and
caught at the balustrade. 'Oh. surely,
you're joking!"
Jack seems to think it's a joke. he
retorted bitterly.
"Oh, why did o kill him" she cried,
turning upon her lover. why did you
not wait
XIII HIM" echoed Delroy. But ne
didn't Grace. How can o think such
Il thing? He could clear himself by tell
ing where he was last Light. and he
refuses to do 1t. Maybe he'll tell you
She turned her searching eyes to her
lovers face.
.eWhere were you last night. jack.
she asked. You'll tell me, won't you?
TELL you?" he sneercd. his eyes
blazing with savage anger. Where
was II You ask mo that?'
And with a gesture OF fierce con-
tempt, he went Oh down the stasi