Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-09-21
CHAPTER III.
TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

driving Simmonds toward that sug-
gestion.
For Godfrey wanted TO be alone a
few minutes with Miss Croydon. He
was acutely conscious that here was a
mystery much more puZzling than ap-
peared on the surface: much more
picturesque than the ordinary run OF
mysteries Miss Croydon had said that
her errand 10 suite fourteen had been
on q private matter which did not con-
Germ the police, but Godfrey was not
so sure OF that. OF course, he could
not compel her to explain II, and yet
he felt that two or three well directed
questions might give him the clew
which he was seeking now in vain.
Very we'll" he agreed; IN send her
down to her cab. What are you going
TO do?'
I'm going to quiz the janitor and
then search the house Maybe the 9TH
er fellow hasn't had a chance TO get
away yet. l wonder what's going on
out there?" he added, as they re-
turned together TO the other room.
They could hear a commotion OF
some. sort In the hall, the hum OF voices
the shuffling OF many feet
the shuffiing OF many feet
The commotion swelled TO an un-
roar as Simmonds opened the door
and closed II quickly behind him
Godfrey heard his voice raised in an
CRY expostulation and he chuckled
grimly to himself as he turned to Miss
Croydon.
He gazed at her with interest, search
ingly. pondering how best 10 surprise
her seCret-at the bent head, with its
crown of dark hair, shadowed by lit
tie velvet hat at the rounded arms, the
graceful figure The remarkable reso-
luton and self control with which she
4. "A, -f,.s
seemed to have deserted her. She was
sitting huddled up in the chair with
her head in her hands, In an att-
tude almost OF collapse. A convul-
sive shudder shook her from mo-
ment TO moment They had been
thoughtless Godfrey told himself, TO
leave her alone with the dead man
that was enough ia unnerve any wom-
an.
He paused yet a moment, looking at
her-the slender hands, the little
ear-and he pictured TO himself
what her training had been, how she
had been fenced away from the rough
places OF the world, the unpleasant
things of life. Certainly, she could
never have committed such a crime
as this, or even connived at 1t.
Yet she had ed-deliberately and
distinctly she had lied She had told
the dead man; she had told Simmonds
just the opposite Which was the
truth? Doubtless, the first: her first
impulse would be 10 speak the truth;
afterward at leisure for a moment,
she had mastered her agitation, had
thought out the lie, and had uttered
II with a surprising calmness.
Godfrey felt that he was cropping to-
ward the light. But there was an
other mystery more impenetrable still
What was ii had nerved her TO brave
the title tattle OF the world, to en-
danger her good name, TO run she
knew not what risk of indignity and
insult? A love affair? BAH To sup
pose her capable Of such an assigna
tion was preposterous. One had only
10 look at her TO see that And yet
what other reason could have brought
her to this place, alone, on such a
night
Suddenly she felt the scrutiny he
bent upon her, and raised her eyes
TO his. Then she Strengthened up,
quickly, still looking at him, and he
saw a fash OF defiance in her eyes.
Plainly, she did not fear him; he fan
c.ed there were few things in the world
she did fear.
May see you to your cab, Miss
Croydon" he asked.
'"ro my cab?" she repeated. half
rising. Il may go, then? I am free?
You have not
Betrayed YOU" he finished. as she
stopped suddenly. NO; ] don't in
yonder or not, / don't for en- instant
believe you killed him"
"Oh, l didn't" she cried. Il did
my best to save him. But it was done
so quickly-I didn't understand until
too late"
Nevertheless" continued Godfrey.
evenly, II think you're wrong in try
Ing TO protect the scoundrel who
The color faded suddenly from her
face.
ITO protect him." she faltered
II am sure you know him You
could place him in the hands of the
police, If you wished"
She stared without answering into
his steady eyes There was something
compelling in their glance. a power
there was no resisting, urging her to
speak She had been deeply shaken
by the evenings tragedy; her strength
was almost gone. Godfrey saw her
yielding, yielding-a moment more,
and he would have the story. With a
last sigh of resistance, she opened her
lips. closed them, opened them
again.
ina keen faced man Of middle age.
who nodded to Godfrey and threw a
quick, penetrating glance at his COM
panion. Behind him. the clamor burst
out anew; various heads appeared In
the doorway, various eager faces
sought TO peer into the room, but the
newcomer calmly closed the door and
assured himself that II was locked.
He looked at Godfrey again. then ex-
pectantly at the girl.
Miss Croydon" said Godfrey. this
is Coroner Goldberg, whose duty il is
TO investigate this affair, and who may
wish to ask you some questions"
Goldberg removed his hat and
bowed. Miss Croydon met his gaze
sished-that moment of weakness was
past-if Goldberg had only been a
moment later.
only a few at present" began the
coroner in voice soft and deferential.
as only he knew how to make it. How
often, with that voice. had he led a
witness on and on to his own ruin
tragedy. / believe, Miss Croydon?"
Yes sir"
Are you acquainted with the mur-
derer?"
NO, sir"
You never saw him before?"
mo, SIR.
but you could identity him if the
police succeed in capturing him?"
"Oh. yes, sir"
You have already given Mr.. Sim
monds a description OF him?"
Yes, sir: as we'll as / could"
And told him the whole story?"
yes sir-the whole story
Except one detail. / believe-you
did not explain how you came TO be
In this room"
mo, sir; / did not tell him that"
she answered, in a low tone.
VIII you tell me?"
Il do not think it concerns the po-
lice, air"
You would better let me judge OF
that; IL il does not concern the po-
lice, | promise you il shall go no
farther"
She was looking at him anxiously;
she moistened her lips and glanced
uncertainty at Godfrey.
do YOU object TO Mr. Godfrey &