The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-05-26
CHAPTER x<v.


Hackleye greeted Johnson's rap win
q nervous Come in" and exchanged a
wan smile for Johnny friendly saluta-
ton. He had been writing and the ia
bic was strewn with piles Of closely
written manuscript Johnn-'s eyes teil
upon the pages, and riveted there That
they were the work of Hackleyes pen
was evident. and
The writing was absolutely unlike
that in the letters found addressed 10
Cerisse Wayne,
Writing a book7- asked Johnny. as
he sat down with an effort to be COM
posed.
mo. merely some instructions as to
what I want done with my estate, in
case anything happens to me-" answ tr-
ed Hackleye. It's on account of the
children. you know"
Don't let me bother you." politely
suggested Johnny, If 1 interrupt III
Co."
ION the contrary I'm glad to have
you" replied Hackleye, I've had
mournful morning, spending 1t among
reliquaries. Would you like 10 see
some of my mementoes?'
He pulled out a deep drawer from
the side of the table and began lfting
out treasure after treasure. Folded IN
softest parchment was a long caressing
curl of rust red hair. only too evident
ly cut from the head OF his dead WIG
Then there were pictures of her from
babyhood TO maturity. And letters
love notes-all in the same handwrit-
ing There were odd gloves dehcate-
ly perfumed, with the strange door
that had permeated the Desterle nome
that wretched morning of tragedy and
woe. cobwebby lace handkerchiefs, and
q bunch Of faded flowers.
Here is her wedding bonnet" mus
ed Hackleye. See. here is a program
of an exhibition day in the convent
where she played and sang. She had
voice like melted crystal worshipped
her, made an idol of her, and / paid
the penalty I hope that death has
brought her peace-life never could
have done so. My wife. by beloved
wife,"
"Hackleye," said Johnny. placing his
hand on the bowed head. you didn't
kill her. 1 know it. Help US TO find
the man who did"
Hackleye looked up. You're the first
one who's had any faith in me-" he an
swered, except Francis, lie Malheu-
reux as you call him. her brother. you
know. Francis and / have tried TO save
her name"
Why" questioned Johnny. striking
while the iron was hot, why does lie
Malheureux ever walk among men
thus yelled and conceaied?"
Hackieye shot Johnny a gasp OF ter
ror "As you would not injure the gen.
TEST soul that ever walked" he plead
ed, try, never try to probe that mys-
terry For your own peace OF mind
leave lie MaIheureux alone"
Il spied on you last night" confess
ed Johnny. Il followed you into that
closet there. where you have all those
images of your wife. / want to apollo
gize for doing H."
You needn't" returned Hackleye.
Worship her loneliness any time you
wish. as I do always"
DO you know Harcourt." abruptly
questioned the American.
NO. I've never met him." answered
Hackleye. Il never knew who the man
was that had stolen my wife's heart
from me- Cerisse was clever and she
covered her path well. 1 do know.
though, that towards the end size SEEM
ed to grow tired OF him. Ho waxed
insanely jealous OF her towards the
end l think she was planning to leave
him at the last.
who do you think killed her?''
aueried Johnny, "or do you know"
Il did not lease that house at "a
Briarsweet place-the one where the
passage way was found you know"
why. saw you, saw you go through
the passage way myself. the morning
after the murder" cried Johnny
Yes. / know you did" admitted
Hackleye. That was my second visit
there. / was in there the morning that
they found the body. / had followed
lie Malheureux there up through the
hole in the wall. Mrs. Desterle saw me
there when she burst in the door. LIE
Mauheureux and l had gone up to see
Cerisse- lie Malheureux had been there
before. He had traced her out and told
me where she was. / went expecting
to find the living woman found, dead
clay. When the policeman and Mrs
OBSTETRICS husband were CARRYING her
back TO her bedroom, I walked down
the stairs and away from the house.
When / reached my lodgings, where
was stopping under an assumed name.
/ discovered / had lost one of my gar
tiers. i went back that night and fore
ed an entrance to the Flanders house
and climbed back into the bedroom
through the hole in the wall. looked
for the garter but couldn't find IT.
wanted II for sentiments sake, and lot
because / was afraid of any incrimina
ton that might result from 1t, as for
years l have been practically unknown
In civilized countries. And" with a
whimsical smile, II was frightened
away. and in my haste to leave the
Flanders house, l lose the mate to n
out OF my pocket
And / found 1t right by the door =,
the house that Hamley Hackleye was
supposed to have leased" said john
ny. Was the Man-Aperilla in the
room when you. and LIE MaIheureux
were?" came Johnny's final question.
Il know of no such animal" said
Hackleye. And now, Mr.. johnson, |
am tired The strain of months is tell
ing on me. do you mind If beg to be
excused"