Charlevoix county herald., 1909-05-29
Tragedy Of the Brook


homicidal possibilities. He felt that
the police had got the wrong man, an
event which alone was calculated to
enlist his sympathies. Second. the
crime was one which. lacking all ap-
parent motive, once Pickett and his
supposititious jealousy were elm
mated, promised to tax his detective
ability to the utmost, and this also was
condition full of attraction for him.
And now this woman with her mys.
terious 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 1 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 I 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. rs there any need of
others beside yourself being present
when you question Fickett?"
1T is impossible to say. That is
why 1 warn you. 1t will depend on
whether his evidence is of Importance
in the murder case. I may see him
first alone, and need not call in others
unless it should prove necessary. But
at lesast l, 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 well, sir. You are gentle
man, and in that case will know how
to act" Then she went out hurriedly.
The next morning the doctor pro-
ceeded to the jail and was shown to
Fickett's cell. The prisoner was a
youth of "a, with fresh cheeks, light,
honest eyes and a 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
a 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. 81 never saw you without them
before, and 1 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 it 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, 81 haven't
the least idea who could do it,"
Were you engaged to marry the
girl?"
Yes, sir"
WAS the engagement ever broken ?"
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 placer"
Eyes, but she told me not to tell
anyone" ,~ ,n
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 herr"
About year."
Where was she employed when you
first became acquainted with herr"
'At Mrs. Bufields, on Hite street."
did you know that she feared some
body, and wished to go away in order
to escape this somebody"
mo"
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 il 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 to
Mrs. Bufield's, but that lady was sure