Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-02-14

llt Atfh NtpNb - - ~ - -
lighted it, tested it, and put it in his
pocket.
Now I'm ready. Have we far to
go?"
"oh, no: just across the street"
SimmOnds started with astonlsh-
ment.
you don't mean the Marathon!" ne
said.
Just that"
But who is it we're going after?
"A fellow named Tremaine.'
"Tremainei" Siumond's face grew
banker and banker. Why, ! know
him; he's been in here TO see me. lie
doesn't seem at all the kind Of fellow
who would
80 ho!" cried Godfrey. ut was you
who told him about the clippings"
Simmonds colored to the Eyes.
Who told you that" he stammered,
No matter; it didn't 10 any harm;
played right into Il hands, in fact,
But you didn't show your usual per-
Spicacity there, Simmonds. That fell
low is the most remarkable scoundrel
I've ever run across-perhaps it's just
as well | never met him or he'd have
hypnotized me. too. Come along"
Simmonds followed meekly. Evil
IDENTIFY he felt his indiscretion deeply;
thought | didn't think him greatly to
blame. Who, TO look at him. would
have conceived any suspicion of Ire
maine? Even yet. | found it difficult
to believe him guilty of any crime; this
chain which Godfrey had so lahorious-
ly forged about him-would it really
hold-was il really strong in every
link2 Or was there some fatal weak
ness in IL, some unsupported flaw.
Higgins was just shutting the inner
doors. He recognized Simmonds at
once.
Hello" he said; what's up now?
No more murders. | hope?"
do you know whether or not Mr..
Tremaine Is in his rooms" asked
Godfrey.
Eyes, sir; he went up BOT an hour
ago"
You have a key to his door,"
Yes, sir"
1--WE want you to so up with us and
open the door"
ooh. comet" protested Higgins.
That's going it pretty strong. What's
Mr.. Tremaine done?'
mo matter. There's no use holding
off, Higgins. Simmonds here can place
you under arrest and force you to
go"
Wei. see here" said Higgins. turn
ing a little pale, "if you break in OF
him like that, there's apt L be some
bullets fyin' around-he's hot headed,
he is! / wish you'd excuse me. Here's
the key-why can't you open tn door
yourself?"
"Thatll do" assented Godfrey, and
took the key. Now, you stay down
here"
mo fear" said Higgins promptly.
Though" he added gloomily, "mebbe
I'd better telephone fer some am
balances"
We went softly up the stair and
down the dimly lighted corridor TO Ire
maine's door. We could see by the
transom that the was dark.
Il want TO surprise him." whispered
Godfrey. IF he has two or three
minutes warning, he may be able To
get rid of some evidence. He's prob
ably in bed and we u get to the
bedroom door without his hearing us.
How does the bedroom door lie, Les
ter, with reference to this one?"
straight ahead" answered
hoarsely.
That's good; are you ready"
Yes" said Simmonds, Inc cooked
his revolver.
As for me, / grasped my stick more
firmly. glad that 1t was q stout one.
"All right said Godfrey. and he
threw back the bolt and opened the
door.
The room was in absolute darkness,
ave for the dim stream OF light from
the hall. We entered cautiously, Cod
frey in the lead.
Have your lantern ready, Sim
monds." he whispered. and l caught
the odor of heated metal as Simmonds
obeyed the order.
Two, three, four steps we advanced,
feeling our way-then / heard a star
tied cry from Godfrey-an instant's
pause.
Quick, Simmonds. quick!" he cried.
in a stifled voice. the Iantern!"
Instantly a brilliant band of light
shot across the room. wayered, wasged
10 and fro-then settled upon Godfrey
bending above some shapeless object
on the floor.
What is it?" / cried. running TO him,
shivering with horror.
It's Tremaine." and he knelt on the
floor and stripped back the clothing
from the breast. Hes dead" no added
after a moment.
Dead? But why? How"
lie was In ~pajamas-I can see them
yet-striped blue and white.
Then l heard Godfrey's voice again
MY God!" he was saying. with ar
accent of utter horror. MY God!
Bring the light closer. Simmonds!'
i looked down. too. The face was ir
bright relief now-but was IL Ire
maine COutu IL DC lFeIfldtlc. Inal
staring. distorted thing. with wide oper
mouth? Then my eyes fell on the hand
clasped across the breast.
What is it?' I asked again. inarticu.
lately, frozen with dread. What ha,
~happened?"
saw Godfrey stand erect with a sud
den movement of ioathing.
IT'S the fer-de-lance!" he sale
hoarsely. Hes been bitten by IL. An
It's still loose In the room somewhere!'
cuApTEp VI