Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-12-04
Continued from Yesterday
CHAPTER xxxIv.
The Odds and Ends.

SnlInney TOOn-tne papers have kept
the public we'll informed. OF my share
In discovering the secret chamber
they have been singularly silent. The
inner history has never been told MIR.
Jameson got all kinds OF credit and
some OF 1t he deserved, but If Jack
Bailey, as Alex, had not traced Halsey
and insisted on the disinterring of
Paul Armstrong; casket, if he had
not suspected the truth from the
start, where would the detective have
been?
When Halsey learned the truth. he
insisted on going the next morning,
weak as he was, to Louise, and by
night she was at Sunnyside, under
Gertrude's particular care, while her
mother had gone to Barbara Fitz-
hugh's.
What Halsey said to Mrs. Arm
strong l never knew, but that he was
considerSte and chivalrous | feel con.
fident. 1t was Halsey's way always
with women.
He and Louise had no conversation
together until that night Gertrude
and Alex--I mean Jack-had gone for
walk, although it was nine o'clock,
and anybody but a pair of young geese
would have known that dew was fall.
Ing, and that ii is next to impossible
to get rid % summer cold.
AT half after nine, growing weary
~ OF my own company, / went down
stairs to find the young people. At
the door Of the living room paused.
Gertrude and Jack had returned and
were there. sitting together on a
divan, with only one lamp lighted.
They did not see or hear me, and I
beat hasty retreat to the library.
But here again / was driven back.
Louf3e was sitting in a deep chair,
looking the happiest / had ever seen
her, with Halsey on the arm of the
chair, holding her close.
The next day, by degrees. I got the
whole story.
Paul Armstrong had besetting
eyil-the love of money. Common
enough, but he loved money, not for
what 1t would buy, but for it's own sake
An examination of the books showed
no irregularities in tbs past year
since John had been cashier, but be-
fore that, in the time of Anderson, the
old cashier, who had died, much
strange juggling had been done with
the records. The railroad in New
Mexico had apparently drained She
bankers private fortune, and he de-
termined to retrieve it by one stroke.
This was nothing less than the loot
ing Of the banks securities, turning
them into money, and making his es-
cape.
But the law has long arms. Paul
Armstrong evidently studied the situa-
ton carefully Just as the only good
Indian is dead Indian, so the only
safe defaulivr is dead defaulter. He
decided to die, to all appearances. and
when the hue and cry subsidized. he
would be able to enjoy his money al.
most anywhere ne wished.
The first necessity was an accom-
plice. The connivance OF DR.. Walker
was suggested by his love for Louise
The me- was INSCRIPTIONS, and with
the girl as a bait, Paul Armstrong
soon had him fast The plan was ap.
DareDtly the acme OF simplicity: A
small town in the west, an attack of
heart disease, a body from a medical
college dissecting room shipped in
trunk to Dr. Walker by colleague in
San Francisco, and palmed off for the
supposed dead banker. What was
simpler?
The woman. Nina Darlington. was
the cog that slipped. What she only
suspected, rhat she really knew. we
never learned She was a chamber.
maid in the hotel at c.. and 10 was
evidently her intention to blackmail
Dr. Walker His position at that time
was uncomfortable. To pay the won.
an to keep quiet would be confession.
He denied the whole thing, and she
vent TO Balsey
II was that that had taken Halsey
10 the doctor the night he disap-
peared. He accused the doctor OF the
deception, and, crossing the lawn had
said something cruel to Louise Then
furious at her apparent connivance.
he had started for the station DR.
Walker and Paul Armstrong the Iat
ter still lame where 7 had shot him
hurried across to the embankmcnt.
certain only Of one thing. Halsey must
not tell the detective what he sus.
pected until the money had been re.
moved from the chimney room. They
stepped into the road I'm front Of tho
car to stop 81. and fate played into
their hands. The car struck the train,
and they had only to dispose Of the
unconscious figure fin the road This
they did as 7 have told For three
days Halsey lay fin the box car. tied
hand and foot suffering tortures OF
thirst. delirious at times and discov.
cred by tramp at townsville only i'm
time to save his life.
To 90 back TO Paul Armstrong At
the last moment his plans rad been
frustrated sunnyside with IT'S heard