The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-05-29
CHPTER VIII
(Continued)

eStneSS. GU De1eve tndJ IneO-
dore was innocent because the dag
ger meant nothing to you? You
had his dagger at homer"
Certainly" cried the girl. How
could he get dagger? He only
had the one he gave me as an or
nament. The dagger-why, gentle
men, the dagger in the breast
doesn't speak against Theodore"
The old judge sank into his seat.
TOO much" he muttered, too
much"
Jane noticed his pale face and
the sudden change Of countenance
of Troop; she saw the curious look
of admiration and Of pity that
Quintus Cakes gave her and then
she seized Roger by the hand with
both of hers and rose to her feet,
facing Cakes in a dazed, uncompre-
bending manner.
"What-what-is wrong?" she
cried.
Cakes advanced for the crucial
moment, keeping his eyes rivetei
on James, and Troop. who knew the
methods of the man so we'll. fol-
lowed his gaze. Then suddenly he
spoke.
Miss Malley, the dagger in
Montgomery's breast was yours. We
have proved it,"
Jane spoke not word. She was
as a statue save for the eyes which
moved to those about her. The
strong arm of Roger encircled her
waist--he had instantly seen the
whole thing-the evidence against
his sister-all. Then Jane freed
herself from his loving embrace
advanced toward Cakes in dazed,
bewilderment and whispered the
awestruck words: Mine ?-the dag
ger mine? Impossible"
Then she saw it all-her face
changed to livid, then to ashen
gray, and the pupils of her eyes d.
lated slowly more and more. until
when the full realization Of her po-
sition came to her they were large,
black, beautiful depths behind the
clear, transparent cornea.
She staggered back and sank in
W q Vial OohCo ~ ahSo LII w Oh VI
to her aid.
Then Theodore goes free, thank
Goi!" she murmured, 'and II
must be guilty. | do not under.
stand did no murder. gentlemen
how my dagger got there" She
paused, and Cakes handed hel
some water which Troop had
brought.
In strong, protective way the de
tective encouraged her-told her tC
keep up her strength, to tell al
she knew, explaining that things
were not so very black-that he
could help her. He spoke with firm
voice and with the manner Of con
viction, and Jane instinctively put
her hand in his, seeking protection
where she felt that protection lay
1t was evident to those who wit
messed the scene that Cakes con
viction had been suddenly deep
ened; he had detected something
that spoke greatly in James favor
When she had recovered, partly
at least, from the shock, he asked
her to take ruler. which he hand
ed her, and, using it as a dagger
demonstrate as nearly as she could
the exact way she saw it used by
the unknown hand.
you mean," she said, rising
slowly, that l am to act out what
saw, Mr.. Oakes?'
Yes, exactly" and Cakes voice
was firm but tender as he spoke
The crucial test had come.
The graceful girl, looking hall
frightened at them all, took the
ruler in her hand. Then, hesitat-
ing, the voice of Quintus Cakes en-
courageI her calmly, quietly.
do it just as you saw it done,
Miss Malley.'
She advanced to the door, held
the ruler in her right hand and
turned her back to the door. The
hearts of the three men sickened !;
she held the ruler in the wrong
hand. He was back to the door
like this, and struck this" she
started to swing the right arm in
a sweeping circle, but when the
stroke was barely begun paused
hesitated, turned toward the
door
"No-no-no." she said, that
wrong" She swayed a moment
then, quicker than a flash, placed
the ruler in her left hand and
swung a high blow downward into
the breast-the right breast-of the
imaginary figure before her,
Then she cried, Il was on the
other side of the half open door.
saw his hand when it was in the
air he did it like that; it-it-'
AMI then she fairly trembled in ex
element. "Mr. Oakes-the man
was left-handed." Then, Olsen
tangling her hat, which was hall
crushed in her excitement, she
threw it on the table and faced the
lawyers with blazing eyes.
Judge, Mr.. Troop, the murder.
ers arm was his left one; | remem-
Der it distinctly; the hand was up
so-the man was left-handed."
Sheh turned from the deep Grim
son of exertion and excitement to
the gray pallor that denotes dan
gerous emotion.
Troop jumped with Roger to
catch her as she sank, but the tall
figure of Quintus Cakes was there
ahead of them. His strong arms
caught her as sic fell, and, exert.
! ;nD biO ctrapoth he l0Warqd hQr