The Tupelo journal., 1909-06-04

breath. "Then you don't believe Mer-
Ger did it?"
I'm sure he didn't. He didn't hurt
him. Why should he kill him after
he had surrendered? He had nothing
to gain and considerable to risk, If
not to lose. We want that bull mar
ket."
But who did, then? Atkins? But
he is trying to rescue him."
rs he? How do we know? The
rescue was only our superstition. I'm
only certain none of our crowd did it."
"Kito?"
mo, Kito keeps absolutely within
his orders; he knew how things stood
when he went away. Mercer saw him
go. He couldn't get in, either; he had
to signal to be let in. They were as
careful as that. Now, assuming they
are all innocent, isn't it the best plan
to telephone to Seattle to Keatcham's
next friend there?"
He hasn't any family, has he? His
wife died and there were no children,
| think"
mo, and if he ever had any brothers
or sisters they died when they were
little; his business associates are the
only people Cary knows about. He is
anxious to have word sent at once, be-
cause there are important things to do
in Keatcham's own interest; he came
to California and he has employed
Cary in a big Portland cement invest
ment; Cary has been working all the
time on it for HIM beg your par
DON" for the colonel had raised his
hand with a little gasp.
do you mean" said he, that Mer-
Ger has been acting as Keatcham's
agent, working in his interest all the
time he was holding him a prisoner
and ready to kill him rathoc than let
him go?"
why not? Cary is a man of honor.
This cement deal is a perfectly fair
one which will give a fair price to the
present owners and make a great bust
ness proposition. There are other
schemes, too, very large ones, which
need the mar at the wheel. Now. /
have talked with Cary and Endicott
Tracy and my plan is to call up
Warnebold, his next friend, who knows
his voice and knows he is a trusty
man (for Mercer has done some in
quiries for him and saved him once
from buying a w~aterlogged steel
plant) to call him up and-tell him the
truth. We can say Mr.. Keatcham was
mysteriously stabbed; we can ask
what is best to do. By that time we
can report that we have the best med
ical assistance-young Arnold will get
his family physician, who can be
trusted. Warnebold will instruct Mer-
Ger, l reckon, to keep the fact Of the
assault a secret, not ever mention
that Mr.. Keatcham is i'll; and very
likely he or some n else will come
straight on here. Meanwhile, young
Arnold can open the house, hire some
servants who won't talkI can get
them for him; we all say nothing OF
the magnate's presence. And the bull
market will come all right"
After a little reflection the colonel
agreed that the bold course was the
safest. Thus it came about, with
amazing rapidity, that the haunted
house was opened; that sleek, smiling
Cinnamon whisked brooms and clean
ing cloths at open windows; and Haley
and Kito frankly told any curious in
quirers who hailed them W the lawn
and the fower-beds that young Mr..
Arnold was coming home and going to
have a house-party of friends. The
servants had been carefully selected
by Mrs. Winters powerful Chinese
friend: they had no dread Of white
spooks, however they might crfnge
before yellow ones. Mrs. Winter and
Randall left their hotel. after all the
appropriate ceremonies, amid the Law
ish bows and smiles Of literally paid
bellboys and porters. They gave out
that they were to visit friends; and
the colonel, who remained, was to take
charge Of their mail: hence. with no