The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-01-07
efhPTER XXI.
THE PROOFS OF GUILT.

On arising stole up on deck.
How welcome was the breath Of
the fresh morning breeze on my
fevered cheeks after the stuffy six
foot cabin. went to the side and
leaned over, gazing over the gray
foreground to the green and gold
Of the fields beyond.
Wondering whether you could
swim the distance, Miss Chill
mark?" said low voice at my ear.
1t was Herzog, who, on hearing me
astir, had come up from below with
catlike tread.
Il have decided to accept your
story as true" l said. Which
means that l am willing to tell you
all that passed between Sir Gideon
Marske' and myself"
That is WE'LL" he replied
gravely. Come. to the stern-be-
hind the wheelhouse. There is not
a moment to be lost, and we must
not be overheard"
In ISIS than five minutes he was
acquainted with all my adventures,
from Roger Marshes tracking me
oMrs. Webley's shop, down to my
long drive from Marske hall to the
docks in Sir Gideon's company, I'D
the ruse by which l was induced to
60 below into the cuddy. Herzog
heard Of my danger in the burning
Mill House quite impassively, but
he showed keen interest in Mrs.
Webley's behavior and in all that
passed at Marske hail.
You have had some narrow es-
capes, and have been among some
very unkind people, young lady"
was his comment you are, l pre-
sumo, under the impression that
the newsvendor woman gave you
the right address, where Clara Riv-
ington wrote to Roger Marske,
when she sent you to the Mill
House?'
AT the time thought 80, though
! was puzzled when I learned at
Chipping Wyvern that the Mill
House had been so long unoccu-
Pied" replied.
Herzog laughed and fumbled for
cigar. "The excellent Mrs. Web
ley,' he proceeded, as he struck
match, sent you to the Mill House
because, during your absence from
her shop, Roger Marske slipped in
and paid her to do so. Being on his
fathers estate, he knew Of 1t as a
solitary house, where he would be
able to bring you and your pursuit
Of him to an untimely end. Roger
Marske really received his unac-
knowledged wife's letters at his
rooms in Jermyn street. with the
'Danvers Crane envelopes covered
by fresh ones re-addressed by Mrs.
Webley. OH~3ne occasion, however,
that mendacious female made
fatal slip in merely crossing out
the 'Danvers Crane and re-address-
ing the same envelope"
How do you know that?" l
gasped.
He produced a package from his
breast pocket.
Because there are the letters"
he said, holding them out to me. Il
was not left alone in Roger
Marshes chambers yesterday for
nothing"
Am to take them?" faltered,
unnerved by his sudden action.
Certainly. Within limits l am
man Of my word" he smiled. But
have more for you. Take care of
that box, Miss Chilmark, for in
conjunction with the letters it will
remove the rope from the neck of
the interesting young man with
whom 1t has been my privilege to
associate. and will place 1t around
that Of as big scoundrel as ever
deserved hanging"
The object which he now ex-
tracted from his pocket and prof
fered for my acceptance was a
chocolate box, tied with faded pink
ribbon.
ribbon.
THE comfits in that box" he ex-
planned, "are identical with those
with which Roger Marske poisoned
Mrs. Riving and her daughter,
sending them to his victims
through the post. The box also
contains correspondence from
certain Italian chemist from whom
they were procured. It speaks for
itself, and Is sufficiently clear to
convict the recipient of murderous
Intentions. You hold in your hands
about as complete a case as pros
ecuting counsel could DESIRE"
Now please pay particular at
tention to me while l sketch out
your future course" he went on.
"There are reasons, valid to my
own safety, why. as Herzog,
should not appear in the matter at
all Are you willing to keep me
out of IT."
III you will show me how it can
be DONE" answered.