The Mena weekly star., 1909-06-10
cHAPTER xv.

mc,sm0rphosis of the tragic and lone. ly house of mystery into luxurious country villa the fnging open of the shutters, the marshaling of servants the turning, one may say, of the lime lieht on a rich mans ordinary life- all this bad occurred as swiftly and with as little warning as scene shifts on the stage.
 Mrs. Rcbecca Winter may have the credit for this bouleversement of rlans. By an astonishingly early hour the next morning she was awake and downstairs, where Kito and Tracy were making coffee. toasting bread and admiring the oatmeal which had cooked. while they slept. in the Fire less Stove. Tracy had planned a sur prise of brown bread, but through no fault of the Fireless. owing solely to his emitting what he called "the pick. me-up," commonly known as soda an accident. as he truly said, which might happen to any lady-the bread was rather too adhesive" The break fast, notwithstanding, was a cheerful one, because Miss Smith reported the patient shade better. She looked smiling, although rather heayy-eyed Mercer and the colonel had taken turns sitting in the adjoining room to bring her ice or hot water or be of service outside.
 The colonel had suggested calling a doctor, but Aunt Rebecea had de. murred: Janet can do everything; it is just a question of his heart: and she has digitalis and nitroglycerin and strychnine. the whole outfit of whips. She has dressed the wound with anti septics. Tomorrow will be soon enough for the medical talent" ' was she, however, who. as soon as breakfast was over, took first Mercer and Tracy, then the colonel. apart and proposed calling up Keatcham's con fldential associates on the long dis tance telephone. Strike. but hear me, nephew" she said, languidly, smil- ing at his bewllderment. Our only chance now is to exhaust trumps. Yes terday the game was won. Keatcham had surrendered, he had his partners in the deal to make no fight on Tracy's election; they could get what they wanted without the Midland: he ad- yised them 10 cover their shorts and get ready for a bull market"
 How did he do all that when he Lad lost his private code book?"
 How would you do 1t? You would use the long distance telephone. We caught them at Seattle where his men had gone for the meeting. don't un- derstand why they needed me to sug- gest that. There the poor man was, as your Harvard stove agent calls, rubbering about the library. trying to find The Fortunes of Nigel in the edition Darley had illustrated of course, it wasn't there. He had lost 1t just before he came to the Palace, he thought It seems his old cipher needs particular book. that kind. No doubt in my mind that your theory is right and that Atkins stole fl and perhaps thought he stole the key, but oldnt get it. He took a memorandum or ciphers which looked like a key There Keatcham was, with millions hanging on his wires and his modern substitute for the medieval signet- ring that would enforce the message 8 quite lost. What to do? Why, there # was nothing to do but get anothes # Vlpher! They made up temporary & ohe, right in that library, yesterday # afternoon"
 But how could Mercer be sure neatcham would not play q trick on uilnE Did he hear the conversation 2?
 Certainly not. He took Keatcham's sord' Whatever his faults, Keatchan las always kept his word. Mercer was sure ne would keep 1t. He went out VI the room. He was in the library when Keatcham was stabbed"
 The colonel drew long, difficult Oreath Then you don't believe Mer ger did it?"
 m sure he didn't. He didn't hurt 'n,' Why should he kill him after had surrendered? He had nothine gain and considerable to risk. | ket" 'N"s 'e'i
 hut who did. then? Atkins? Bu irving to rescue him"
 IS he2 How do we know? Th' seue was only our supposition. Tn
 "Kito?o
 w hito keeps absolutely within
 oruers; he knew how things stood
 "su ne went away. Mercer saw hin
 ne couldn't get in. either; he hat
 ashai to be let in. They were al
 .e'nl as that. Now. assuming the,
 aii innocent, isn't it the best plar
 ,e'sphone to Seattle to Keatehaml
 M friend there?.
 ne hasn't any family. has he7 Hi
 'hnk.a "eio ho ohiiu' ei'
 ., , ana It he ever had any brother
 ss'sfs they died when they wer,
 ms business associates are tn
 popie Cary knows about. He i
 to nave word sent at once, be
 'nere are important things to q, 1f fnr,,,s,cham's n1,,e own interest: he cam : sa'ofnia =. and he. has employe,
 ,ot. ~ v pig Portland cement Invest
 e"ty has been working all tn
 a U Tor him-I. beg your par
 m,., ,or the colonel had raised hi
 With little gasp.