Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-02

Mercer had turned his arm to light
another electric bulb and the action
revealed some crimson spots on his
cuff and smear on his light trousers
above the knee The lamp was rather
high and he was obliged to raise his
arm, thus lifting the skirts of his coat
which had previously hidden the stain
He did not seem aware that his action
had made any disclosure. He was
busy with the light "That'll be bet
ter" said he; III go call up Sister
Janet"
How had those stains come? Mercer
protested just to have entered. Vainly
Winters brain tried to labor through
the crazy bewilderment of it all: Mer-
GER spoke like an honest man-but
look at his cuffs! How could any out
side assassin enter that locked and
guarded house?-yet, If Mercer had
not lied, some one must have stolen in
and struck keatcham. Kito? But the
Jap was out of the house-perhaps
And Janet Smith, what was she doing
talking to Atkins? Had she given that
reptile any clew? Could he--but it
was his opportunity to rescue Keatch-
am, not to murder him-what a con-
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
70 the telephone calls, low, mourn
ful, 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 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
er 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 Gid it," said the colonel,
must have put knee on the mans
back and pulled a strong pull, as you
shiver, 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 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
nel's; and Winter fancied there was a
CLINT of defiance in them; he made
no comment, for no doubt a 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;
"he will not live, maybe, but he will
talk, he can say who hult him."
IF he can only do that" cried Mer
Ger. ut 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