Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-07-31

L
another at my feet. Then she left
me. 1t was early dawn now, and from
voices under my window / surmised
that Mr.. Jarvis and his companions
were searching the grounds. AS for
me. / lay in bed, with every faculty
awake. Where had Halsey gone? How
murder, no doubt, who would believe
that? If either he or Jack Bailey had
heard an intruder in the house and
shot him-why had they run away?
The whole thing was unheard of, out
rageous, and-impossible to ignore
About six o'clock Gertrude came in.
She was fully dressed, and l sat up
|nervously.
Poor Aunty!' she said ''What a
shocking night you have had!" She
came over and sat down on the bed,
and l saw she looked very tired and
worn.
"Is there anything new?" l asked
anxiously
Nothing. The car is gone, but
Warner'-he Is the chauffer-"War-
ner is at the lodge and knows nothing
about it."
Well" said, "If I ever get my
hands on Halsey lines, shall not let
go until have told him few things.
When we get this cleared up, am
going back to the city to be quiet.
One more night like the last two will
end me. The peace of the country
fiddlesticks!"
Whereupon I told Gertrude of the
noises the night before, and the fig
10 ,y
AS an after thought brought out the
pearl cuff-link.
L have no doubt now" said, "that
it was Arnold Armstrong the night
before last too. He had a key, no
doubt, but why he should steal into
his fathers house cannot imagine.
He could have come with my permits
sion, easily enough. Anyhow, who
ever it was that night, left this little
souvenir"
Gertrude took one look at the cuff
link. and went as white as the pearls
in it; she clutched at the foot of the
bed, and stood staring AS for me,
was quite as astonished as she was
Where did-you-find it?" she
asked finally, with desperate effort
at calm. And while | told her she
stood looking out of the window with
look could not fathom on her face.
1t was 2 relief when Mrs. Watson
| tapped at the door and brought me
some tea and toast. The cook was in
/ bed, completely demoralized, she re.
ported. and Liddy. brave with the day.
light. was looking for footprints around
| the house. Mrs. Watson herself was
a wreck; she was blue-white around
the lips, and she had one hand tied
up. She said she had fallen down
stairs in her excitement. 1t was nat
shock her, having been the Arm.
strong's housekeeper for several
years. and knowing Mr.. Arnold we'll
| Gertrude had slipped out during
my talk with Mrs. Watson, and
dressed and went downstairs The
billiard and card rooms were locked
until the coroner and the detectives
got there, and the men from the clut
mad gone back for more conventional
clothing.
/ could hear Thomas in the pantry
alternately wailing for Mr.. Arnold, as
he called him, and citing the tokens
that had precursed the murder. TIL,
house seemed to choke me and, slip
ping shawl around me. went ou
on the drive. At the corner by thu
east wing I met Liddy. Her skirts
were draggled with dew to her knees
and her hair was still in crimps.
GO right in and change you
Clothes" I said sharply. you're {
sight, and at your age!"
She had golf-stick in her hand
and she said she had found it on thu
/ lawn There was nothing unusia
about it, but it occurred to me that ;
golf-stick with metal end might hav,
been the object that had scratches
the stairs near the card room. ! tool
it from her, and sent her up for DIR.
garments. Her daylight courage ant
self-importance, and her shudderin:
delight in the mystery, irritated M
beyond words. After left her
made circuit of the building. Moth
ing seemed to be disturbed; tn
house looked as calm and peaceful Il
the morning sun as 1t had the day
had been coerced into taking II
There was nothing to show that ir
side had been mystery and violenc
; and sudden death.
In one of the tulip beds back Of tn
: house an early blackbird was peckin
viciously at something that glittere
in the light. picked my way ginge,
ly over through the dew and stoope
down; almost buried in the soft groun
was revolver scraped the cart
off it with the tip of my shoe, an
picking it up. slipped it into my pool
! ct. Not until / had got into my bee
r room and double-locked the door did
: venture to take it out and examine i
One look was all l needed. 1t wa
l Halsey's revolver. I had unpacked
i the day before and put it on his sha'
I ing-stand and there could be no mi
l take. His name was on a small silve
h plate on the handle.
| seemed to see network closin
i around my boy, innocent as l kne
: he was. The revolver am afraid {
them, but anxiety gave me courage
look through the barrel-the revolve
had still two bullets in it. | coul
only breathe prayer of thankfulnes