The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-05-15
CHAPTER vi.
a Nioht at Borton's.


office in a plain. comfortable building
on Clay Street. not far from the heart
of the business district. 1t was on
the second floor, and its one window
opened TO the rear, and faced desc
late assortment of back yards, rear
walls, and rickety stairways- Inc
floor had a worn carpet, and there
was a desk. few chairs and shell
Of law books. The place looked as
though il had belonged TO a lawyer
in reduced circumstances. and could |
but wonder how it had come into the |
possession of Doddridge Knapp, and
what had become of the former occu |
pant
tried to thrust aside spirit OF
/ melancholy, and looked narrowly &c
| the opportunities offered by the room
for attack and defense. The walls
were solidly built The window-case
ment showed an unusual depth for
building OF that height. The wall had
been put in 10 withstand an earth
ouake shock. The door opening into
the hall. the door into Room l6. and
the window furnished the three ave
nues of possible attack or retreat.
The depression of spirits that pro
crossed with my survey OF the noon
deepened into gloom as flung myself
into the armchair before the desk
and tried to plan some way out or the
tangle in which | was involved. Ho"
was /, single-handed TO contend
against the power of the richest
man in the city. and bring home
70 him the murder of Henry Wilton.
could look for no assistance
from the police. The words OF
Detective Coogan were enough tc
show that only the most convincing
proof of guilt, backed by fear OF pub
lie sentiment. could bring the depart
ment to raise a finger against MIN
And how could | hope to rouse that
public sentiment? What would my
word count against that of the kins
of the Street?
Where was the motive for the
crime? Until that was made clear
could not hope TO piece together ths
scraps OF evidence into solid struc
ture of proof And what motive
could there be that would reconcile
the Doddridge Knapp who sought th'
life OF Henry Wilton. with the Dodd
ridge Knapp of this morning. VIII
was ready to engage him in his con
fidential business? And had i tn
right to accept any part in his BUS
ness?
Fatigue and loss OF sleep deepene
the detection of mind that oppresse
me with these insistent questions. an
as / vainly struggled against 1t, cal
ried me at last into the oblivion
dreamless slumber.
The next | knew / was awaking I
the sound of breaking glass. Ii wa
dark but. for a feeble light that cam
from the window. Every bone In n
M body ached from the cramped positio
70 in which | had slept. and 1t SCENE
an age before could rouse myself
act. II was, however, but a secon
20 before was on my feet revolver
I'M hand. with the desk between me an
Is a possible assailant.
on Silence, threatening. oppressiy
ar surrounded me as | stood listenin
watching, for the next move.
IL thought the transom was open
,ck said low voice, which still SCENE
bv TO be struggling with Suppress
he laughter.
Il guess ii woke him up said
on other and harsher voice. Il heard
no noise in there
do. You're certain he's there?' ask
I'm. the first voice with another chuck
sure, Dicky. | saw him go
a" and Porter and have taken turns
His watch ever since.
, Well it's time he came out, sa
10 Dicky. He cant be asleep after IN
mo racket. say" he called. Harr
he'd What's the matter with you? II you
ere dead let us know"
NH They appeared friendly. but b
nj itated in framing an answer.
- ITO BE CONT1NUEDD