The Washington times., 1909-03-31
CHAPTER XVIII (Cont ID,
|, TRAGEDY.

CHAH 1Eh " Viii NOOuI uJ'
A TRAGEDY.
VERCOME with horror. Wilbur
Leslie stood gazing dazedly at
J the upturned features OF his
employer.
The body lay at the foot of the roll
top desk. the arms outstretched, an eX-
pressionless stare upon the pallid coun-
tenance.
That the unfortunate man was be-
yond all human aid was evident at n
glance. and yet Wilbur could not bring
birnseIf TO believe that Frank Barring
ton was really dead.
Arousing himself with an effort, he
stretched out his hand toward the tel
ephone instrument on the desk, with
the intention of summoning assistance
He knew that the proper thing TO do
under the circumstances was to COM
municate with police headquarters They
would notify the nearest hospital 10
send an ambulance post-haste. Also they
would send detectives to investigate this
ghastiy tragedy
But Wilbur did not telephone. His
gaze suddenly fell upon the pearl han
died revolver lying on the desk and with
a shudder ne picked it up and examined
1t anxiously.
One OF the bullets in the gun had
been fired. With a groan at this dis
covery, he glanced apprehensively
about the room and noticed a tortoise
shell comb lying on the floor near the
body of the dead man
He recognized the comb at once. 1t
was one of the ornaments Laura Ham
ilton had worn in her hair.
FT .l -
in his pocket. Then he stood locking
irresoluteIy at the weapon in his hand
and finally thrust that into his pocket
also.
81 wonder where she is?' he gasped.
II wonder where she has gone? Fool
ish girl-she should not have run away.
II makes II so much the worse for ner.
Good heaven, what a terrible thingI"
Once more he glanced at the tele-
phone on the desk He realized that
he must notify the police immedi-
ately. He must summon medical as
sIstance without delay. although his
reason told him that there was not a
trace OF life In the still form at his feet.
once more he stretched out his hand
toward the instrument, but before he
could lift the receiver from the hook
the door Of the outer office opened and
a man entered
II Wa Arthur harrington. His face
WAS fi6Sned: he walked unsteadily. IL
was quite evident that he had been
drinking. The Chianti ne had consumed
in the company OF the villainous-faced
Italian had gone to his head
Hello! Nobody herer' he shouted
boisterously. gazing stupidity about the
outer Office where the dickens has
W, I To
nton-pretty little Laura? Where's Les
lie? where's Frank? Funny there 5
nobody around TO take care of the old
shop. deucedly funny! case OF wTetched
nismanagement. 1 call it. 10 leave the
place unattended like this
He lurched toward the doorway OF the
private office and quickly staggered
back al the ghastly sight which met his
gaze
Great heavensI' he gasped. instantly
sobered by the shock OF what ne saw.
My brother Frank"
He stood staring in horror at the
waxlfke c0untenance Of his dead
brother, and his gaze took I'm the de-
tail OF the bullet hole through the
heart and the blood-soaked carpet
Murdered" he exclaimed hoarsely.
who has done this2 Was il you?''
and he turned fiercely TO the trembling
Wilbur.
IL" gasped the latter. "Of course
not. / have only just got here myself
I found him like this. We must get a
physician right away"
"a physiciaai What's the use Of a
physician? Can't you see that he's
dead? What we need is the police.
Have you notified them yet?"
Not yet. I was just going to do so
as you came In. Shall ] use the tele-
phone or shall / go out and get tie
patrolman on post?'' inquired Wilbur
Telephone. Of course replied Ar
thur harrington. It's quicker. and, be-
sides, I am not going 10 let you leave
here until the police arrive. ] am not
az all sure that you are not responsible
for this. I found you In here alone
wfth--vith the body, and you will have
TO explain what you were doing here. ''
.'Pshawt' exclaimed Wilbur. Il have
already explained that. 1 told you that
1 tust got back here myself. and found
him lying dead on the floor. Besides,
why should l have killed him? There
was no motive"
Perhaps the police will be able 20
discover motive" retorted the other.
.'At any rate, you won't leave here
until they arrive. Hand me that tele-
phone. I'll call them up myself"
He got into telephone communica-
tion with police headquarters.
Hello he said. this is Arthur
harrington, OF Darlington g. Sons. Send
detectives around here right away! My
brother has been mUrdered-shot
through the heart. Where7 Right here
in the office. no, it's no use sending
II did not take long for the police "a
arrive. Headquarters Immediately noti-
6ed the precinct station house over the