Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-22
A
CHAPTER XIV.

to the front porch by Jefferson.
4 EFF 1 wuz you, Marssa Darrall, wouldn go
, ef | didn want ter. l calls dis de hite of i'm
perdence," volunteered Jefferson, trembling with
excitement.
go where?"
You les g'long bout yo' bizness whar eber hit
takes you, an I'll sen 'em off," laying restrain
ing hand upon his arm
"Oh no jeff That would look inhospitable;
even though | have Just arrived l will see them."
Jpon the porch he found two officers of the
law who had followed close behind to arrest him
for "The assassination of Col. Steale' as was
announced by one of them in no mincing terms:
"This is a very serious charge gentlemen for
which l am unprepared l have only few mo-
ments ago arrived at home direct from Frank
fort I was there upon the streets the day after
it happened and until the next morning. You
seem to have followed so close after that am
prompted to ask why was not taken In charge
there? What evidence have you now against me-
to warrant my arrest?
got the warrant agin you," handing 1t over Tor
him to read Then drawing from his pocket the
blood stained handkerchief which Darrall had
left behind him he asked.
"Mebbe you kin say whether this nanoK cnli
happens to be yourn or not?'
Taking 1t in his hand, and examining 1t care
fully, Darrall promptly answered.
at Is most assuredly mine; my wife can testl-
fly to this Here is blood stain from my finger
torn by rose thorn the morning l left home
Here is the scratch upon my finger not yet
healed" showing it to them; "but do not know
how you came by it?'
ut was found after you left your room at the
tavern"
"I must then have thrust it in the pocket of
my riding coat when left home and dropped 1t
in my room. You see I was not careful Of It
So have been spied upon?"
The man nodded his head.
"Why then I ask again, ! not arrested
there? Why come here to alarm my wife with
only such proof in hand she can herself dis
prove? l will call her, you can then question her
Marguerite came at his bidding, calm and self
collected. She not surprised; and had pre-
pared herself for the ordeal.
"Is this your husban's handkerchief, Ma'am,
asked the sheriff holding 1t out for inspection,
having taken her aside.
She too examined 1t critically and replied IN
the affirmative.
"Kin you tell me how this blood stain come
on t?"
"He cut for me a rose the morning he left for
Frankfort, his finger pierced by thorn.
"Aint it ruther late fur roses?' asked the
sheriff, smiling increduousy.
There they are in the vase" answered Mar
guerite where they were still to be seen, COM
paratively fresh; "and here is the scar" taking
her husbands hand and pointing out long ugly
scratch "He had wrapped his handkerchief
bathed his finger. But why do you ask?" Looking
with troubled eyes from the officer to her
husband.
""They are running down every clue dear, in
the mysterious death Of Col Steale OF which l
was Just telling you, and Mrs. Randolph This
handkerchief was found in my room at the
tavern. There is need for alarm, for as you
see, it is easily explained. What other clues have
you my friend?"
"I have the measure of the footprints of the
assassin"
Lets have them by all means; we can sit
upon this case ourselves"
The measure was produced and compared with
the riding boots then worn by Darrall which
were found a full inch short.