The Washington times., 1909-04-02

| tnur harrington. ne realized. would not
have been at all glad to see him. and.
of course, he weaId have maintained
a discreet silence while ne was within
earshot
NO. he decided 1T would not do
to follow him into the house. 1t would
put him on his guard right away. and
should gain n"tirlng by my visit And
yet must learn what goes on inside
O'herWlSe / have not accomplished
much by my trip out here
lie walked y tst the house and glanced
81 the lighted windows on the drawn
shade of the )arIor window ne noticed
moving shadows.
Then he crypt noiselessIy onto the
porch, and was Overjoyed to discover
/ that the paTloT window was slightly
/ open at. the bottom
| what splendid luck" ne murmured-
There IS nothing to prevent me from
| oVerhearing everything they say"
The drawn shade prevented him from
| being seen by these within the room.
I and. TO make dCVbiy sure that his pres
ence on the porch would not be detected,
he took the prec4ution Of standing at
| the side OF the window, and crouching
| there motionless, scarcely allowing him
| self to breathe
Arthur harrington was speaking.
| Clayton had heard his voice often
enough to be able to recognize it in
| stantly-
so Laura has not come home yet?''
he was saying. You haven't seen or
| heard a word from her. you say? IL is
really very extraordinary"
Yes answered deep voice, which
Steve Clayton recognized as tnat of the
girls father, Il am becoming very much
alarmed. Mr.. Darlington. 1 fear that
| something serious has happened to her.
1 was in hopes that you would know
| where she has gone.
No. haven't the slightest idea.
That's Why have come here. I thought
| for sure that she would be home BY
this time. OF course. you have heard.
my good friends. what happened today
at the office"
Yes. sir, and we were very sDrry to
hear il, for your sake. l assure YOU
that you have our deepest sympathy"
Thank you HOW did you hear about
it?"
J 1.-THE police hare been here looking
| for our little girl explained Mr. Ham
! ilton. 1t was they who frs: told US
about IL, and Of course we saw the
| account in the papers The newspapers
| seem TO insinuate that our little girl
| has run away. I don't think thai is
/ so, do you, Mr. Barringtcn2'
1T IS hard 20 say replied Arthur
slowly 1T certainly looks queer that
I she hasn't shown up by tEis time-very
! queer indeed"
But why should she run away2-'
| protested MI Hamilton. She coUldn'
| have had anything 10 do with that
| brutal murder. What reason could size
| have for fiight2"
We'll, I'll tell you something, said
| Arthur Darlington, lowering MS voice
/ 50 that Steve Clayton had to move
! nearer TO the window 10 hear what he
\ said 1.-The revolver with which my
poor brother was murdered was a pearl
handled revolE r-the very one you
gave to Laura - a birthday present
| recognized II the instant 7 saw il.
Steve Clay ton found il difficult 10
| stife an exclamation of astOnishment
| as ne heard these words.
1 ''Is he going TO accuse the girl of the
MURDER he asked himself eagerly.
| ''Oh, ] am mighty glad I came here.
"Of course what ] am saying is strict
| II between ourselves" Arthur went on
4 would not for worlds let the police
or anybody else know the truth. but
among ourselves we can talk quite
plainly.
My brother was killed with the re-
volver which you gave your daughter
for a birthday present. There can't
be any doubt about that. And 7 can't
help thinking that this fact may have
something 10 60 with her disappear
ance."