The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-05-28

founded maze!
And what business had he, Rupert
Winter, who had supposed himself to
be an honorable man, who had sworn
to support the constitution and the
laws of the United States, what bust
ness had he to help law-breakers and
murderers escape the just punishment
of their deeds? He almost ground his
teeth Oh, well, there was one way
out, and that was to resign his COM
mission. He would do it this very
night, he resolved; and he swore mis-
erably at himself, at his venerable
aunt who must be protected at such a
sacrifice, at Atkins, at the feebly
moaning wretch whom he had not
ceased all this while to ply carefully
with drops of brandy. you everlast-
ing man-eater, If you dare to die, I'll
kill you!" he snorted.
Thereupon he went at the puzzle
again. Before any answer could come
to the telephone calls, low, mourn
full inhuman cry penetrated the thick
walls. 1t was repeated thrice; on the
third call, Tracy ran quickly through
the patio to a side door, barred and
locked like all the entrances, re-
leased and swung it open and let in
Kito. A few murmured words passed
between them. The Jap uttered a
startled exclamation. But how can it
to be? How? no one can get in! And
who shall stab him? For why?"
He examined the wounded man, aft
err a gravely courteous salute to Win
ter; and frowned and sighed. What
did it," said he; did who stabbed,
take it way, he must give stlong pull! !"
Whoever did it," said the colonel,
must have put knee on the mans
back and pulled a strong pull, as you
say" In speaking the words he felt a
SILVER, for he seemed to see that red
smear above MERGERS knee.
He felt the SILVER again when Mer-
Ger returned and he glanced at him;
there was not a stain on his shining
/ white cuffs; he had changed them; he
had also changed his suit of clothes
and his shoes. His eyes met the colo
nels; and Winter fancied, there was
| CLINT of defiance in them; he made
no comment, for no doubt plausible
excuse for the fresh clothes was ready
Well, he (Winter) wouldn't ask it.
Poor devil! he had had provocation.
For the next half-hour they were all
busy with Keatcham.
He is better" pronounced the Jap;
hA I'll hn httt hn wi
talk, he can say who hult him"
IF he can only do that!" cried Mer-
Ger. 1T is internal to think that any
one can get in here and do such
thing!"
Rotten" Tracy moaned.
The colonel said nothing.
They were all still working over
Keatcham when bell pealed. Tracy
started; but Mercer looked a shade re-
lieved. They've come" said he.
"They?" repeated the colonel. He
scrambled to his feet and gasped.
Miss Smith was coming down the
colonnade, but not Miss Smith alone.
Aunt Rebecca walked beside her, Sc
rene, erect and bearing a small hand
bag. Miss Smith carried larger bag;
and Tracy had possessed himself of a
dress-suit case.
Certainly, BERTHE remarked his
aunt in her softest tone. Il came with
Janet. My generation believed in les
convenances."
All the colonel could articulate was
a feeble, And Archie? and Millicent?"
Haley is staying in your room with
Archie. Millicent had retired; If she
asks for us in the morning we shall
not be up. She has an appointment
with Janet, but it isn't until half-past
eleven. Randall has her instructions"
"But-but-how did you get here?"
Aunt Rebecca drew herself up. Il
trust now, BERTHE, you will admit that
| am as fit as any of you to rough it.
If there is one mode of transit l
abominate, 1t is those loathsome, I'M
sanitary uncivil, joggy street cars;
we came DIS far as the corner in the
street cars, then we walked. Did we
want to give the number to a cab
man, do you suppose? BERTHE, have
you such a thing as a match about |
you? | think Janet wants to heat a |
teaspoonful of water for a strychnine |
hypodermic."