The Forrest City times., 1909-05-14


event which alone was calculated to
enlist his sympathies. Second, the
crime was one which. lacking all APP
| parent motive once Pickett and his
supposititious jealousy were elm
mated, promised to tax his detective
ability to the utmost, and this also was
a condition full of attraction for him
And now this woman with her mys
FERROUS trouble which she would not
name 1t certainly was a beautiful
combination of possibilities. Yes, he
would straighten the affair out If only
for the joy of the hunt. But he must
start right with his present visitor.
Madam" he said, Il will not ask
who you are-it does not concern me
But | am Obliged to inform you that
in all probability you will become
known, unavoidably, through the very
efforts you wish ME to put forth for
young Pickett And | warn you now
that If there is any step which, taken
by you beforehand, would save you
you would better take it at once"
He arose with business-like air as
| If to close the interview She stood
silent, her eyes on the floor. As he
passed to open the door for her she
! grasped his arm.
One moment" she said in a
| strained voice. is there any need of
others beside yourself being present
when you question Pickett"
1T is impossible to say That is
why | warn you. 1t will depend on
whether his evidence is of Importance
in the murder case. l may see him
| first alone, and need not call in others
unless it should prove necessary. But
at lesast |. If no other, shall hear your
| name and learn your secret"
She gazed at him earnestly. He
could not see her face with any dis
tictness through the heavy veil but he
knew she was sorely frightened. Final
ly she gave him her hand, saying al
most inaudibly:
Very we'll. sir. You are a gentle
man, and in that case will know how
to act" Then she went out hurriedly
The next morning the doctor pro.
eeeded to the jail and was shown to
Fickett's cell. The prisoner was a
youth of 81, with fresh cheeks. light,
| honest eyes and naturally mild ex-
| preston of countenance, though now
he appeared thoroughly scared and dis
| tressed. He frightened somewhat as
DR.. Furnivall came in, and advanced
step to meet him; but as the doctor
removed his spectacles and looked him
in the eye he grew deathly pale and
retreated
why do you act like that, Fickett?'
the doctor inquired. You know
wouldn't hurt you. don't you?'
But you took off your glasses, and
know what that means" he an
swered. Il never saw you without them
before, and | never expected to-
don't want to be pumped can't be, =
The doctor hesitated moment over
the young fellows evident distress
! Then he replaced his spectacles over
his eyes.
Il won't do IT." he soliloquized
unless there is absolute need of it
Let the mysterious lady keep her Sc
cret, whatever II is" Then he re
garded Pickett, who saw the glasses
go on again with lively show of re
! lief
Have you any suspicion of anybody
in connection with the Patrick girls
DEATH" he asked.
The young fellow gulped down the
sob which suddenly rose in his throat
NO" he answered. huskily, Il haven't
| h1 hA do ~
We're you engaged to marry the
girl?"
Yes. sir
Was the engagement ever broken o.
mo, sir, but she asked me to say
that it was the other night, just for
the fun of it. But we were going to
get married just the same, some
time
Was there any other lover in the
case?'
NO"
Did you know that she was about
to change her place."
Yes, but she told me not to tell
anyone.
Did she give YOU any reasons for
wishing the change kept secret?"
She said she wanted to surprise
her friends; that's all
How long have you known her."
E, About year"
Where was she employed when you
first became acquainted with herr"
AT Mrs Butield's, on Hite street"
Did you know that she feared some
body. and wished to go away in order
to escape this somebody? >"
NO"
We'll, that is sufficient" DR.. Furni
vail said. Two things he had learned
That this lover was not in the girls
confidence. and that therefore it was
some former lover that she was afraid
of. Anything else she would confide
in him. The next step was TO find out
who this lover was. He hurried tc
Mrs. Bufield's, but that lady was sure
the girl never had any men callers or
intimate friends. Whenever she went
anywhere she always told her whom