Evening star., 1909-09-13
The Altenburg Case. |
By GEORGE DYRE ELDRIDGE.
COPYRIGHT 1902 BIZ GEORGE E1DRIDeR :


was pushed back or not?"
Il didn't even know then that there
was a sliding panel" she replied.
That answers my question. as we'll as
other thing, that Tuesday night. when
your father and brother slept here. why
did one of them use the cot-oed In the
attic instead of sleeping in these rooms?
Neither of them did" she said, in sur
prise. Il had prepared the room above
especially. for father. and he told me that
he slept there. I'm certain he didn't even
go to the attic"
"Who took care Of the attic?''
Mother and myself. The woman did
not come out of the kitchen, except to
sweep once a week, and I'm certain she
never went to the attic"
when were you there last?'
"On the Tuesday that father came.
earlier in the day. ] went there to get
an extra blanket from chest, fearing
father would need it
Did you leave the window open?"
Il didn't open it, and l know 1t was
and looked out. and thought what a
dreary view 1t was across the woods now
that the trees were stripped of their
leaves"
do you know this pistol?''
Il do said Horace Calden. standing In
the door leading to the entryway. It's
mine. here's its mate" and he took an
other from his hip pocket Where did
you find this?'
Come and I'll show you." replied Traf-
pared with his attitude toward the sister.
Il think l may come. too, said Beck
with. who had accompanied Horace to
the house.
I'm glad to have you.'' said Trafford.
It'll save my telling you what l found
in the vault and told you I'd keep to my
self for the present"
Judith did not seem to catch the Sig
niflcance Of the answer. but Beckwith
and Grimbleshaw exchanged glances that
showed what was passing in their minds.
and the former glanced at Horace. but
failed to catch his eye.
They entered the room of the murder.
the windows Of which were darkened by
sheets tackled carefully to keep out pry-
ing eyesight. On the side of the CHM
ney was pile of brick and mortar, where
the chimney-face had been torn away,
leaving great hole. that gave entrance
converted the fireplace and ovens.
Through this opening Trafford conducted
Miss Calden, the others following and
forming group that nearly filled the
available space. In the farther corner
was pile OF tin boxes, and on top of
one, in the dust that had settled on
everything and remained undiSturbed, was
the outline of a pistol
1T was lying there" said Trafford.
pointing to the boxes.
Horace. who flushed red and then lost
color under the scrutiny. He had a dazed
look that fills the popular conception of
guilt. Without a word Judith passed
over to his side and took his hand as it
hung Iank beside him, cherishing it in
both of hers.
For a moment Trafford seemed to find
a small mans enjoyment In the sensa-
tion he had produced. Then he gave him
self sharp shake and said in heartier
n, how y hnA hnfA cod vnyif +,
young Calden:
Some day I'll ask you. just out Of pure
curiosity, how it could have come there.
Just now 1 haven't time to listen to the
fore because I thought 1t might prove
to have Significance. Now that l know
1t doesn't mean anything I can afford to
give 1t away
Are you certain it doesn't?" began
Beckwith, only to be interrupted by Traf-
ford with:
Doctor, you've got to be away from
here in ten minutes. II you've got any
'good-byes' to say you'd better get al
them. think now I must insist on your
going with me-"
Back in the sitting room with the door
closed behind them. Grimbleshaw said:
I'm certain. Judith, the day is break
ing. / haven't been able to do much.
you remember that in my behalf?"
daylight or dark" she answered. Il
can never forget what you have done dur
ing these days of darkness and trial.
'Nor L." he echoed, that in these days
I've found loved you. for I seem always
to have done so, only just now I've found
1t OUT
''Oh, Phillip. she cried. as the warn
ing knock came to the door. must you
really go? What does it mean? Where
are you going? Is there danger?'
I'm going to try and help little In
the clearing up of the last tangles. Don't
say Trafford is strong enough to do it
alone! l know he is. but I want to
think, after it is all over. that I have
done something for you
Don't think it; know 1T. Phillip and
she put up her lips to meet his, as he
stopped to give her the greeting kiss of
the accepted lover. which also was the
farewell kiss of their first real parting.
Ito be continued tomorrow