The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-07-22

Keatcham's valet was next sum.
moned from his vacation and became.
In Tracy's phrase, "a dandy subnurse."
The Tracys' family physician came
twice day. He was known to be
visiting one OF the guests who had
fallen ILL., Mercer sent three or four
kilograms day TO Seattle and to New
York, TO Keatchams associates. Sew
eral times he held a conversation Of
importance over the telephone with
the man who acted as distributor OF
intelligence. Warnebold. himself. came
on To San Francisco from Seattle, and
was received with every courtesy. He
questioned Kito. questioned Mercer.
questioned the colonel. Tracy had
effaced himself and was in Pasadena
for a day or two.
The colonel was the star witness lat
least this was young Arnold's verdict)
His narrative was to the effect that
he had gone out TO see Mercer. who
was a family connection: no. he was
not alone. he had young friend with
him; confidentially. he would admit
that the friend was MIR. Tracy's son;
and, while he could not be sure. he
had reason TO suspect that no. young
Tracy" had been conducting some
delicate negotiations with Mr.. Keatch-
am. At this point the intcrlocutor
nodded slightly; he was making the
deductions expected and explaining TO
himself Keatcham's astonishing com
munication over the telephone. So. he
was surmising shrewdly. that was the
clew; the old man had been making
some sort OF a deal with Tracy
through the son: well. they were pro
tected, thanks to Keatcham'F orders.
Likely as not they never would know
all the reasons for this side stepping.
Il understand. then" he said, as one
who holds a clew but has no notion OF
letting Il slip out OF his own fingers.
you and young Tracy got here and
you found Mr.. Keatcham? How did
you get in? Did Mr.. Mercer let you
in? How did II happen he didn't dis
cover Mr.. Keatcham instead OF you.
or did you come In on the sldeG"
Mrs. Winter. who was In the room.
had a diversion ready. but 1t was not
needed: the colonel answered unhesl-
tatingly, with a frank smile NO. we
came In ourselves; young Tracy had a
key"
"Oh. he had. had heY" returned
Warnebold. with shrug OF the shout
ders.
He is a great friend OF young
Arnold's; they were at Harvard to-
gether. belonged to the same soci-
eties."
Yes, | understand: we'll"
The rest OF the interview was clear
sailing. Mrs. Winters presence was
explained In her very own words. "of
course l was put out a good deal at
first" added the colonel. by the wom-
en- getting mixed up In Il: but Miss
Smith undoubtedly saved Mr.. Keatch-
ans life. never saw any one who
seemed to think OF so many things to
do. Half dozen times. that first
night. he seemed TO be fading away;
but every time she brought him back.
was anxious to have a doctor called
in: but Mercer seemed opposed to
making a stir"
HE knew his business thoroughly"
interjected Keatcham's confidant, "he
undoubtedly had his instructions to
keep Keatcham's presence here a
secret"
"He had" said Mrs. Winter; be
sides, Miss Smith is his sister-in-law
and he knew that she could be trusted
to do everything possible. And, really,
Il didn't look as II anything could help
him. hardly believed that he could
live an hour when saw him"
Nor l." the colonel corroborated.
warneboid. plainly impressed by
Mrs. Winters grand air. assured them
both that he felt that everything that
could be done had been done: Miss
Smith was quite wonderful: and he
would admit (of course. confidential
ly) that Mr.. Keatcham did have a
heart trouble; Mr.FMercer had recalled
one or two fainting fits; there was
some congestion; and the doctor found
a sad absence OF reaction: he believed
that there had been a-er-syncope Of
Some sort before the stabbing; Mr..
Keatcham himself, although he was
still too weak TO talk much. had no
recollection OF anything except very
great faintness. Mr.. MERGERS theory
seemed to cover the ground.
Except as 20 who did the stabbing,"
said the colonel.
HAS Mr.. Keatcham any bitter enc
mies?" asked Aunt Rebecca, thought
fully.
What man who has made a great
fortune hasn't7" demanded Warnebold
with saturnine wrinkle OF the lips.
"But our enemies don't stab or shoot
us. nowadays"
They do out west" said the colonel,
genially; we're crude"
Are you in earnest?"
Entirely. | know man. a mine
superintendent, who got into a row
with his miners because he discharged
a foreman. one OF the union lights, for
stealing ore. In consequence he got a
big strike on his hands, found a dyna-
mite bomb under his front piazza. and