Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-28

True. DOCTOR" remarked Jen, keep
ing his eyes fixed upon the swart face
Of the other And is that all you have
to say?"
"All? What else do you expect me
to say?" demanded Etwald, coldly.
Say who you think killed Maurice
Who stole the devil stick?"
Il can't answer" said the doctor,
taking up his hat. "A detective may be
able to assist you on these points. En-
gage 'onel"
No" said Jen, taking David by the
arm I'VE don't need aid from the
law to learn who killed Maurice, and
avenge his death. David and myself
will find the guilty person?"
Really. l hope you will succeed.
But case like this requires trained
intelligence such as you may find in a
detective. OF course. you may com
mand my services, Major, but I'm
afraid you will not succeed"
When the doctor had taken himself
off, and was walking past the library
windows towards the curve of the ave-
nue. where it ran into the woods, Jen
looked after him with a lowering face,
and laid an inquiring finger on Davids
arm.
do you trust that man, my boy?"
he asked. gravely.
NO" returned Sarby after a pause
Il think he is a bad lot"
Il am sure of it; and what's more"
added Jen, nodding, 1T is my opinion
that he knows who killed Maurice, if
indeed he did not do it himself"
The hours dragged heavily along in
that house of mourning. The body of
the dead man lay in the little chamber
which looked out upon the laurel-en-
circled lawn. 1t was covered with
white sheet, the hands were folded up
on the breast, and flowers had been
laid thereon by the Major. over the
face a handkerchief had been thrown,
as the once handsome features were so
discolored as to be absolutely repulsive
to the sight. There was something
terrible in the rigidity of the long
form, stretched out so stiff1y under the
sheet. In the chamber candles were
burning, and Jaggard was watching
near the corpse. He was to watch
throughout the night.
David retired early to bed, as he was
quite wornout with the anxieties of
the day; but Jen was too grieved to
sleep. He remained in the library,
thinking over his great loss, and won
dering what wretch could have taken
that young life. Towards IL o'clock he
went to the kitchen, and had p short
with the policeman, who
more brains than a pumpkin. After
wards he sought the chamber of death,
to see that Jaggard was not sleeping
at his post. Finally, like the old sol
dier he was, Jen went round the house,
to satisfy himself that the windows
and doors were bolted and barred All
these things done. he returned to the
At first he read and then paced up
and down, thinking of his dead lad.
and finally as the hands Of the clock |
drew to midnight, he threw himself in
to chair and worn but in body and |
in mind, the old man slept profoundly.
Hour after hour passed in silence; the |
moon set, and the night grew darker, |
as the mind rose and moaned through |
the woods round the house. Save the |
muttering of the breeze and the ticking |
Of the, clock, not a sound was 20 bss |
heard in that silent room wherein Jen |
slept. heavily.
Suddenly ne woke with a start
Someone was rapping gently on the |
shuttefs-of the middle window. Glanc- |
ing at the clock, len saE that Il was
3 in the morning, and wondering who 4
could be outside at so untimely an
lour, he. rose to open the window
With care, begotten Of old experience.
ne picked up his revolver and held II
ready while unboiting the window
When they were thrown
open, he saw a white figure with out
stretched hands standing before the
window.
Miss Dallas! You here? At this
hour?
Yes, yes" whispered the girl. step
ping into the room. Il got out Of my |
bedroom window and escaped from my
mother and Dido. l want to see Mau~
ice. Take me to the death chamber"
Seeing from her looks that she was
90 distraught to be argued with, Jen
ed her out Of the library and into the
lead mans room. Then he uttered
/ cry, which was echoed by a wild
Ihriek from the girl.
The bed was empty-the corpse was
gone.