Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-09-14
CHAPTER H.
s TANGIED NJ

TANGLED WEB.
Simmonds had dropped on one knee
beside the body he was up again in
an instant
no need FOR an ambulance" he said
tersely. He's dead"
The words seemed 10 rouse the girl
from the ecstasy Of horror which pos
sessed her and she buried her face in
her hands, shuddering convulsively,
Godfrey caught her as she swayed for
ward, and led her gently TO a chair.
Perhaps you don't remember me,
Miss Croydon. he said. "Godfreys my
name-it was only the other night at
Mrs Delroys | met YOU. II was Jack
Drysdale who introduced mc-yOu know
I'm an old friend Of his"
Yes she murmured indistinctly. Il
remember quite"
An exclamation from Simmonds in
terrupted her He had picked up a
small pearl handled revolver from the
floor in the corner
rs this yours, miss?' he asked
She nodded family
He snapped ii open and looked at the
chambers one had been discharged.
He shifted at the barrel, then held it
out 10 Godfrey. The odor Of burnt
gunpowder was plainly dsCernible
Godfrey's face hardened as he turned
10 the janitor who had regained his
breath and stood staring on the
threshold.
My friend" he said, "shut the door
He stopped as he heard the tramp Of
heavy feet approaching along the cor
ridor.
Wait" said Simmonds. There come
my men. I'll be back in a minute"
Godfrey nodded curtly and waited
until Simmonds closed the door after
him.
Now, Miss Croydon" he said, tell
me quickly how il happened. l can't
help YOU unless / know the whole story,
and 1 want to help YOU"
The gentleness Of his voice, the quiet
assurance OF his manner. the encOurag-
ing glance combined 10 calm and
strengthen her She sat up. with an
effort Of self-control and clasped her
hands together in her lap.
There isn't much 70 tell she began.
striving to speak steadily Il came
here toto keep an appointment"
She stopped, her voice dying away. un-
able TO go on.
With this mani" asked Godfrey,
who is he?'
4 don't know" and she cast hor-
rifed gance at the huddled form. Il
never saw him before"
Then il wasn't he YOU came here to
meet"
"No-that is--it may have been"
And again she stopped.
Miss Croydon" said Godfrey, gently
yet clearly. Il can't help you unless
you're quite frank with me- and / fear
you are going TO stand in need Of help.
Did you kill this nan77
Mo- she cried. "Oh, no."
Her face was in her hands again and
she was trembling: ii was impossible 10
doubt that she spoke the truth.
Then who did?''
There was no answer only a dry
convulsive sobbing
AS Godfrey paused 10 look at her
the door opened and Simmonds came
in re closed il and snapped the lock.
There's a policeman outside and one
at each landing he announced. Wen
look things over here, and then search
the building. First, let's look at the
BODY
1T was wing partly on its back, partly
on its right side, with It's legs doubled
under it, The face was a bearded one
rough, coarse, and a little bloated-uot
a prepOssessing face under any circum-
stances, and actively repulsive now
with its gaping mouth and widely
staring eyes II was tanned and
scanned by exposure 70 wind and rain
ana there was deep scar across the
left temple.
Between 80 and 6o years OF age, re-
marked Godfrey "pout smell the
whisky
Then. looking into the staring eyes
he uttered sudden exclamation
See there, Simmonds, how the right
pupils dilated. DO YOU know what that
means
simmonds shook his head.
no. / can't say l DO"
1T means" said Godfrey. that
somebody hit this fellow a hard blow
on the left side of the head and pro-
duced a hemorrhage of the BRAIN
Simmouds gave a little low whistle.
THAT could hardly have been her"
and he nodded toward the girl. who
had regained her self-coptcs. and was
ears intent
mo, Of course not. Let's see If he
was really shot"
They stripped back the shirt from
the breast. A little blood was still
yelling from a wound just over the
heart.
That's what did the business" OBJ
served Simmonds. and AT close range
too: see there, ana he pointed TO the
red marks about the wound He
wasn't shot from the corner, that's
sure. Let's see what he's got in his
pockets
The examination was soon made
There were only a pipe a knife,
package of cheap tobacco, a handful Of
loose coins. and an old pocketbook con-
tanning a little Noll of newspaper clip
pings and receipt for a months rent
for suite II made out 10 III. Thorp.
SON"
Thompson, repeated Sinmonds,
"and a lot OF clippings. Can you read
French, Godfrey
"A little" answered Godfrey mod
cstly. Let me see" He took the clip
pings and looked at the first one
Z" 'Suresnes. September 16, 1891, he
read halunsly. / have 10 report an
event the most interesting which has
just happened here, and which proves
again the futility of VOWS the most rig
orous to quiet the ardent desires of the
human heart or TO change the
"Oh, we'll" Interrupted Simmonds,
I'VE can't waste tirle reading any more
OF that rot it sounds like French
novel. The coroner can wrestle with it.
If he thinks it worth while.
He replaced the clippings in the
purse, which he slipped back into the
pocket from which he had taken II.
Now" he ADDED. rising TO his feet.
we'd better get the girls story"
do you know who he is?" asked
Godfrey, in a low voice. As he glanced
at her he was startled TO note her at
titude of strained attention. which. as
he turned. lapseG instantly TO one Of
seeming apathy.
~ heard you call her Miss Croydon
'Yes-she's the sister of Mrs. Rich
ard Deiroy."
Again Simmonds whistled.
The deuce you say. Dickie Delroy
Well. that doesn't make any differ
ence." and he turned toward her reso-
lutely.
Miss Croydon he began abruptly.
though perhaps in gentler voice than
he would have used toward the aver