Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-18

IT have an idea" l SAID Grlmly,
"that this small matter OF the murder
is going to come up again. and that
your uncle will be in the deuce OF
fix if 1t does. II that woman Is going
to die somebody ought to be around
to take her deposition. She knows
lot, If she didn't do it herself. wish
you would go down to the telephone
and get the hospital Find out her
name and if she is conscious"
Mcknight went under protest. Il
haven't much time," he said, looking
at his watch. I'm to meet Mrs. West
and Alison at one. want you to
know them, Lollie. You would like
the mother
why not the daughter?" l in
quired. touched the little gold bag
under the pillow.
WELL he said judicially. you've
always declared against the immature
ty and romantic nonsense OF very
young women"
II never said anything Of the sort"
I retorted furiously.
""There is more satisfaction to be
had out of a good saddle horse?" he
quoted me. more excitement out
of polo pony, and as for the eternal
matrimonial chase, give me instead
good stubble, fox. some decent dogs
and a hunter, and I'll show you the
real Joys of the chase!:."
For heavens sake, go down to the
telephone. you make my head ache,
said savagely.
l hardly know what prompted me
to take out the gold purse and look
at it. 1t was an imbecile thing to do
call it impulse, sentimentality,
what you wish. l brought it out, one
eye on the door, for Mrs. Klopton has
a ready eye and noiseless shoe. But
, the house was quiet. Downstairs Nc
knight was flirting with the telephone
central and there was an odor OF
boneset tea in the air. I think Mrs.
Klopton was fascinated out OF her
theories by the "boneset" in connec-
ton with the fractured arm.
Anyhow, held up the bag and look
ed at it, 1t must have been un-
fastened, for the next instant there
was an avalanche on the snowf1eld OF
the counterpane-somem money, wisp
of handkerchief, a tiny booklet with
I thin leaves, covered with powdery
substance-and a necklace. l drew
myself up slowly and stared at the
necklace.
1t was one of the semi-barbaric at
fairs that women are wearing now, q
heavy pendant of gold chains and
carved canoes, swung from q thin
neck chain of the same metal. The
necklace was broken: In three places
the links were pulled apart and the
canoes swung loose and partly de-
tached. But it was the supporting
chain that held my eye and fascinated
with it's sinister suggestion. Three
inches of it had been snapped on. and
as well as knew anything on earth. l
knew that the bit 5of chain that the
amateur detective had found. blood
stain and all. belonged just there.
And there was no one / could talk
to about it, no one to tell me how
hideously absurd it was. no one to
give me slap and tell me there are
tons Of fine gold chains made every
year, or to point out the long arm of
coincidence!
/, With my one useful hand FUN
bled the things back into the bag and
thrust it deep out of sight among the
pillows. Then lay back in cold
perspiration. What connection had
Alison West with this crime? Why
had she stared so at the gun-metal Gig
arctic case that morning on the train
What had alarmed her so at the farm
house? What had she taken back to
the gate? Why did she wish she had
not escaped from the wreck? And
last, in heavens name. how did part
of her necklace become torn OF and
covered with blood?
Downstairs Mcknight was still at
the telephone, and amusing himself
with Mrs Klopton in the interval Of
waiting.
"Why did he come home in gray
suit, when he went. away in a blue?''
-