The Washington times., 1909-04-03
A DAUGHTER OF MYSTERY

| girl. If it hadn't been for this vo,,,e-
man and his friend. / guess the rascaIe
would have succeeded I'm their das-
| tardly scheme"
"We shall never forget your kind
ness in rescling Laura" said the good
woman, bowling TO Steve: "Oh. how I
wish YOU could rescue her now,,
As she spoke her husba nd shot at
her a warning glance. which CIavtop
interpreted to mean that she sbouId
be very careful what she said on that
subject in the presence of mis-
stranger
Perhaps / can grant vour wish
madam reJoined Steve with a smile
That is the very matter / want to
talk with you about Let me begin bv
explaining that I am a LAWYER
My friend and client, Wilbur Leslie.
as ] think YOU know. has been arrested
and charged with the murder of his
employer, Frank Darlington. He is in
nocent. and l am determined to prove
his innocence. l want your help"
But how can we help yOu2' answered
Mr. Hamilton cautiously
Well, in the first place, Won can I.+
me see that package Of poisoned candy
wnlch was sent TO your daughter by
mall" said Clayton quietly.
"Ah, You know about that" ola
Hamilton was plainly startled.
Then his surprise gave way to sus-
picion- He looked at the caller search
ingly.
would you be good enough 70 ex-
plain, sir. how it is You happen fo
know that our girl did receive auy pois-
oned candy?" he demanded sternlv. .T
have only mentioned TIE matter to one
person, and the fact that you have
knowledge Of it makes it. Look as i
you
He paused suddenly, recoIlecting that
Clayton was his guest, and that there
fore he could not very well finish the
sentence.
Makes il took as If l must have sent
that candy myself or else knew who
did send it, you mean.' filled out Clay
ton, with a smile Go Oh, MI Hamil-
ton: don't hesitate to say so. Your sus-
piciOn is quite natural. under tIfe cir
cumstancesi but 1 assure you that such
is not the case. The reason 1 know
about that candy is because I was on
the porch outside this window when yo,i
told Arthur Darlington about it few
minutes ago"
You were eavesGrOppinG there" ex-
claimed Mr. Hamilton angriIy, and his
face turned pale as he suddenly real
lied what Clayton must have overheard. |
The young lawyer nodded.
yes, / will candidly admit that !
took advantage OF the fact that that |
window was slightly open and listened (!
to al that was said. L know every
thing. 7 know that Arthur Darlington |
to marry your daughter to- !
night. I know that the revolver with I
which his brother was murdered be- |
ionged to your daughter. You viii per- !
ceive. therefore, that il is useless 10 |
try 10 deceive me despite the promise /
YOU made to Arthur harrington we |
might as we'll be perfectly candid with !
each other
Hamilton groaned.
4 suppose you are going 10 take ad- /
vantage of what you overheard 10 get |
your friend out Of jail and put our /.
little girl there IN his place, ne said
pealing TO your sense Of honor and de- |
cency. a gentleman would rot take |
advantage Of conversation that was !
not intended for his ears: but Of course t
would not have stopped TO such a dirty !
lOW-dOwn, spying trick / have never I
had much use for lawyers and :he fact |
that YOU are one increases my bad /
opinion of the profession"
Your remarks are very harsh" re-
joined Clayton, flushing I think you /
are doing me an injustice, sir. Let me :
explain why ! listened at that window" /
You don't have TO explain that 1 /
know why YOU listened. You wanted |
TO get Information that would help clear /
your client-and ! guess you have got I
II. confound you"