The Mena weekly star., 1909-06-03
CHAPTER XII

WnOSe rect were Shod With Silence,
 Get out you: revolver" ordered the colonel; look sharp there may be some one here"
 But there was not q sign of life re. yealed by the search Meanwhile, Winter was examining tho body. His first thought was that Keateham had tried to escape and had been struck lewn in his flight. Kito would not 'cruple at such deed; nor for that natter, Mercer. But why .save the man thus2 Why not dispo1e of the )ady--unless, indeed, the assassins hal been interrupted Anyhow, what horrible mess this murder would make of the affair." and how was he to keep the women out of it! All al once. in the examination which he had been making (while a dozen gruesome possibilities tumbled over one another in his mind) he stopped; he put his ear to the mans heart.
 Isn't he dead?" asked Tracy, under his breath.
 No, he is not dead. but I'm afraid he'll never find it out" returned tho colonel shrugging his shoulders. However, any brandy handy? And get me some water"
 q know where there is some brandy I'll get it: there is some water in the fountain right-Cary"
 Whats the matter?" demanded Cary Mercer in one of the arcade door ways of the patio. Whats happened? The devill Who did this?" He strode up to the kneeling soldier.
 You are in a position to know much better than L. said the colonel, dryly, We came this moment; we found this"
 Cary, did you do it?"-the young man laid his hand on Cary's shoulder; his face was ashy but his voice rang full and clear If you did. am sure you had a reason; but want to know; we're partners in this thing to the finish
 Thank you. boy" said Cary, gen tly: that's good to hear. But didn't hurt him. Endy. Why should I? Wed got what we wanted"
 "Who did?" asked the colonel.
 q didn't and Kito didn't. He wen' away to see his only brother who is sick. lie hasn't got back. don | know who did it, but whoever stabbed him must have done it without warn ing him: for didn't hear a sound. l  was in the library"
 He's breathing little, l think, murmured the young man, who was sopping the gray mask of a lace whiie Winter trlcklcd brandy drop by drop into the sagging mouth, "and-iook' somebody has tried to rob him; that's a money belt!"
 The waistcoat was open and Winter could sec beneath, a money belt wi'n huttoned pockets, which had been torn apart with such haste that one or the buttons had been wrenched on
 ,sThev seem to have been alter monev.n said he; "seel the belt is full of bills; there's only one Pcche' empty
 "perhaps he was interrupted ex' olained Mercer Push the prahuy, colonel, he's moving his eyelids, sum
 we've got to do something to that hole in him, first" said the colonel Is there any doctor
 q darent send for one"
 irony Arnold might know one we couId trust." suggested Tracy l can pet him over the long distance
 "We want somebody now this ii'n ute ? declared the colonel
 "Theres Janet smith, said Mefcei, .,nv sister-in-law; she's Mrs. winter companion: she used to be 'raiileu nurse and mighty good one; she could be trusted. os
 ronld she? And how the terms Q, his distrust had changed! He hau sorght against an answer in the ai formative this morning: now his near' was begging for it; he was coia WY" .a fear lest she wasn't this cohspi''''o' . confederate. ho with
 send for them bo'h' s"iu "e' mn sign of emotion ,,
 aI'll call up Aunt keoeces, past s'sst uercer Isn't he reviyingg Nos pcs. s moi move him till we get 'ne wou"u "n s~ a.essod don't you reckon, eoionel U r,,, f Tho colonel was already maRlns ,,
 1n,,sh n"s ,ourplquet out of his hanakes- chief and peucil to stancn sp' o's'~ -