The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1910-03-24

quickly left the room Just outside OF
the door she encountered Stevens, and.
quickly placing her finger on her lips.
they were we'll out Of hearing he an
nounced IN confidential tone:
mir Murgatruyd. Miss BlOndgood
MIR Murgutroyd William Murga
trOydi What does he want. StevensT
She was plainly excited
"Sh-h-h"' warned stevens gently
He's the prosecutor of the pleas
"Oh. then 1t il Mr. William Murga
trUyd. Hut what dues he wantT'
Stevens shook his head rhe next
moment shirley Blu0dgoud had enter.
ed the dra wing room and stood gazing
into the face Of William Murgntroyd
shirley Boodguudg The name fell
lncreduously from his lips you
hereT'
Shirley held out her hand
"And you what are you doing
here?" she asked quickly ~ didn't
know that you were friend of the
family"
Tall. well built. with smooth shaw
en- face. a square chin and nose that
stood well out into the air. Murgatroyd
was u man who appeared to be with.
out enthusiHsm; but. although sharp
and buSinesslikc. his manner was easy.
Turning, to Shirley, he came to the
point at once
IL want to see Mrs Challoner." he
announced. But I'm glad you're here.
for don't know her very well. and
YOU can't very well see her now
Shirley interrupted shaking her head
shes frightfully unstrung. She's I'll
You know it's almost three weeks now
since Laurie first went away. aud"
~ know" he broke IN Just a bit i'm
patiently.
WHAT" Shirley gasped, the truth al
last dawning upon her. You don't
mean TO say that you're here in-in
your official capacityr
MurgatrOyd smiled grimly.
It's the oniy capacity In which I'm
likely TO he here. Shirley" he remind
ed her
But" she protested. II thought they
left these things to-
THE police" he finished. and again
smiled grimly. They do. but there
are reasons. You see" he went on To-
explain. "since was appointed prose
cutOr Of the pleas I've turned mp
thing or two In the police department.
and. well. the police department and
are somewhat out of tune. This case
they have put up TO me and my men.
surely you cant mean 10 imply that
you have to do this kind of thing your
self?"
"Yes: it's up to me ! am sorry t.
remind you" he went on. the full re-
sponsibility of his office upon him
that am here 10 see Mrs Challoner.
TO find out where Challoner is and to
persuade her to persuade him to come
back"
Then he wasn't caught I'm ChicagoT
Shirley exclaimed almost Jubilantly
And then. touching him on the arm u
bit IN millarly. she added:
BILLY. you don't really believe that
Laurie murdered Colonel HargravesT
Murgatroyd laughed a short laugh
81 don't know" he went on evasive
", "whether Chaloner murdered Har
graves or not"
"You don't know"
mo" returned the prosecutor. IS
far the evidence IL purely circumstan
tial"
Shirley drew a long breath and ech
oed excitedly. "Circumstantial"' Their
was flicker Of n smile on her face a.
she added:
"Then the newspapers were wron
when they said it was certaintyp
Murgatrovd held up his hand and
went on to explain:
"What ! tell you is confidential. Yon
understand"
"Yes. yes" she said impatiently
But tell me about 1.-THE real facts
that is, II you can"
"Theres no reason why | shouldn't
suppose" said the prosecutor Of the
pleas "The real facts as we have
them-as we have them. mlnd-arp
simple. Challoner quarreled with Colo
mel Hargraves."
What ahoutT asked Shirley impul.
slyely.
Murgatroyd flushed.
THAT makes no difference" he an
swered with some confusion. THE
point is that they we're enemies. II
was quarrel in which the passions Of
each were reused to the utmost. To
make long story short. Colonel Har-
graves won $4,000 al Gravesend The
men met in Cradlebaugh's. Another
quarrel followed
What does that proven
Nothing only man named Penn
u,lcan Of Cradlebaugh's witnessed both
qunrrels, and ChalloDer has run away
But" persisted Shirley, "that wi.
dence"-
zone moment, please" went on the
prosecutor calmly. "Hargruves mad
the $4,000 In cash with him, and
surely you don't think Lawrence
would steal?' she commented
Prosecutor Murgatroyd answered
slowly;
..EroplyIy onaaLino I do haliavo