The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-09-02
CHAPTER Tv.-Continued

AOTu llLtcu the Douy up anu ldlu ~
flat upon the sands.
"My! he's a nasty smash on the
head" John remarked, looking
down at him. quite the gent, too,
I should say Will you give me a
hand, sir, and we ii have him in the
wagon"
kept my eyes as far as possible
from the CHASTITY face with the long
hideous wound across 1t. I saw
now, however, in one swift unwill-
ing glance, what manner of man
this was. He had thin features, a
high forehead, deep-set eyes too
close together, thin iron-gray
mustache. Whatever his station in
life may have been, he was not of
the laboring classes, for his hands
were soft and his nails we'll cared
for. We laid him in the bottom of
the wagon and covered MIN over
with a couple of sacks. John
cracked the whip and strobe along
by the side Of the horses. Blanche
Moyat and l followed behind.
AS we neared my cottage she
asked me question.
why don't you want me to say
] saw this man in the village last
night, and that he asked for you,
Mr.. Ducaine? I can't understand
what difference 1t makes. He may
have spoken to others besides me,
and then it is bound to be known.
What harm can 1t do to your"
Il cannot explain how feel
about It," answered. IT am not
sure that know myself. Only you
must see that IL 1t were known
that he set out from the village
last night to call upon me, people
might say unpleasant things"
She lowered her voice.
You mean-that they might sus-
pect you of killing him?"
why not? Nobody knows much
about me here, and it would seem
suspicious. 1t was who found him,
and only few hundred yards from
my cottage. II it were known that
he had left the village last night to
see me, don't you think that 1t
would occur to any one to wonder
II we had met-and quarreled?
There could be no proof, of course,
but the mere suggestion Is unpleas-
ant enough"
She drew little closer to me,
and almost whispered in my ear
DO you know who he Is, what he
wanted to see you about?"
Il have DO idea." answered. 81
am quite sure that never saw him
before in NV life"
ibid YOU see him last night?''
she asked.
mot to speak to-" I answered.
II did catch glimpse of him,
believe. In rather strange way.
But that was ALL"
What do you mean?"
Il saw him looking in through
my window. but he came no nearer
Lady Angela and Colonel Ray were
in the ROOM
sin your room?"
Eyes. Colonel Ray called to say
that he was sorry to have spoilt my
lecture"
.And Lady Angela?" ~
Eyes, Z
"She came in too?"
irritated me. ~.
81 happened to be III when Colo
mel Ray came. They were both very
kind to me-"
This man. them" she continued,
he looked in and went away?"
Il suppose So" I answered. 81
saw no more of him."
She turned towards me breath.
essly
Il don't see how a fall could
nave killed him, or how he could
nave wandered off into the
marshes just there. The creek
sn't nearly deep enough to have
drowned him unless he had walked
deliberately in and lain down. He
vas quite sober, too, when he spoke
o me. Mr.. Ducaine. how did he
lie? What killed him?"
l shook my head.
IF could answer you these
questions" said, II should feel
much easier In my own mind. But
cannot. I know no more about 1t
han you do"
II was q welcome relief when a
room from Rowchester overlook
Is and pulled up his horse by our
Tide
Are you Mr.. Ducaine, sir?" he
sked.
"Yes." I answered.
II have note for you from his
race, sir" he said. 81 was to take
Jack an answer II found you at
ome."
I tore 1t open. It contained only
few lines, in large, sprawling
handwriting.
fRowchester, Wednesday morn
hg.
"The duke of Rowchester pre-.
ents his compliments to Mr.. Du-
aine and would be much obliged
he could make 1t convenient to
all upon him at Rowchester be.
ween 3 and o'clock this after
oon."
"Will you tell his grace" I said
that you found me on the road,
nd I was unable. therefore, to
Hrite my answer. but will call at
he time he mentions?"
The man touched his hat and
bde away. Blanche Moyat, who
ad been standing a few yards off
sjoined me.
"Has the duke sent for you to 60
lcre" she asked.
0Unr He ha. offarnI ~ yn.I -.