The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-09-23

again in moment.
'Lucien Wallace?" he repeated.
"No, ] think not. There are plenty of
Wallaces around, but don't know any
Lucen."
| was as certain as possible that
he did. People do not lie readily to
me, and this man lied beyond doubt.
But there was nothing to be gained
now; his defenses were up, and left,
half irritated and wholly baffied.
Our reception was entirely different
at DIR. Stewards. Taken into the
bosom of the family at once, Flinders
tied outside and nibbling the grass at
the roadside, Gertrude and drank
some homemade elderberry wine and
told briefly of the fire. Of the more
serious part of the nights experience,
of course, we said nothing. But when
at last we had left the family on the
porch and the good doctor was unity
ing our steed, asked him the same
question had put to DR.. Walker
Shot" he said. "Bless my soul,
no. Why, what have you been doing
up at the big house, Miss Innes?"
Some one tried to enter the house
during the fire, and was shot and
slightly injured l said hastily.
Please don't mention it, we wish to
make as little of it as possible"
There was one other possibility, and
we tried that. At Casanova station l
saw the station master, and asked him
if any trains left Casanova between
one o'clock and daylight. There was
none until 6 a. m. The next question
required more diplomacy.
did you notice on the six o'clock
train any person-any man-who
limped a little?" l asked. please
try to remember; we are trying to
trace a man who was seen lettering
around Sunnyside last night before
, the fire."
He was all attention in moment.
81 was up there myself at the fire."
he said volubly. I'm member of
the volunteer company. First big fire
we've had since the summer house
| burned over to the club golf links.
| My wife was sayin' the other day,
| Dave, you might as well "a saved the
money in that there helmet and shirt.
And here last night they came in
handy. Rang that bell so hard
hadn't time scarcely to get em on
"And-did you see a man who
limped?" Gertrude put in, as he
stopped for breath.
mot at the train, man," he said
mo such person got on here to-day
| p,,t oil WI AID a
man that limped. I didn't wait till the
company left; there's a fast freight
goes through at 4:45, and l had tc
get down to the station. l seen there
wasn't much more to do anyhow al
the fre-we'd got the flames under con
trol'-Gertrude looked at me an(
smiled-"so l started down the hill
There was folk here and there goin
home, and along by the path to thu
Country club l seen two men. On
was a short fellow. He was sitting Of
big rock, his back to me, and h
, had something white in his hand, as
he was tying up his foot After +
gone on piece looked back, and h
was hobbling on and-excuse me, mis-
he was swearing something sickeI
ing"
Did they go toward the club?
Gertrude asked suddenly, leaning fol
ward.
mo, miss. l think they came int
the village. l didn't get a look q
their faces, but l know every chic
L and child in the place, and everybod
knows me. When they didn't shot
at me-in my uniform, you know
. took it they were strangers"
So all we had for our afternoon
work was this: Some one had bee
/ shot by the bullet that went throug
/ the door; he had not left the villag
and he had not called in a physician
y Also, Dr. Walker knew who Lucie
Wallace was, and his very deni;
!, made me confident that, in that or
direction at least, we were on IL
right track.
Gertrude" l said, 81 have been
1 very selfish old woman. You are G
ing to leave this miserable house t
night Annie Morton is going to Sec
# land next week, and you shall go rig
with her"
q To my surprise, she flushed pal
e fully.
n 81 don't want to go, Aunt Ray" 81
10 said Don't make me leave now"
Is You are losing your health al
III your good looks" l said decided
70 "You should have change"
Il shan't stir a foot" She "
le equally decided. Then, more light
3 why, you and Liddy need me to
g, ! bitrate between you every day in t
ID week"
On Perhaps l was growing suspicious
every one, but it seemed to me Il
e. Gertrude's gayety was forced and
IT, tificial. l watched her covertly duri
Sc the rest of the drive, and l did I
'e- like the two spots of crimson in /
pale cheeks. But I said nothing me
lio about sending her to Scotland l KIN
jill she would not go.
Continued Tomorrow