The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-11-24
CHAPTER XxIV.-Continued.


CHAPTER XxIv.-Continued.
Hotchkiss felt certain that 1t had
been Sullivan, but ! was not so sure.
Why would he have crawled like a
thief into his own house? II he had
crossed the park, as seemed probable,
when we did, he had not made any
attempt To use the knocker. | gave it
mp finally. and made an effort to con-
ciliate the young woman in the tower.
We had heard no sound since our
spectacular entrance into her room.
i was distinctly uncomfortable, as
alone this time, l climbed to the tower
staircase. Reasoning from before,
she would probably throw a chair at
me. i stopped at the foot of the stair
case and called.
"Hello up there" ! said, in as de-
bonnair a name as | could summon.
Good morning. VIE gent es bel
fhnen?"
No reply.
Bon jour, mademoiselIe," | tried
again. This time there was a move
ment Of some sort from above, but
nothing fell on me.
I've want to- apologize for rous.
ing you so-er-uneXpectedly this
morning" went on. The fact is, we
wanted to talk to you, and 'you-you
were hard to waken. We are travel
ers, lost in your mountains, and we
crave a breakfast and an audience"
She came to the door then. | could
feel that she was Investigating the top
OF my head from above. rs Mr.. Sui
Ivan with your" she asked. 1t was
the first word from her, and she was
not sure of her voice.
mo. We are alone. If you will
come down and look at us you will
find us two perfectly harmless people,
whose ~horse-curses on him-depart-
ed without leave last night and left
us at your gate"
She relaxed somewhat then and
came down a step or two. II was
afraid ] had killed somebody" she
said. "The housekeeper left yester-
day, and the other maids went with
her
When she saw that / was com.
paratively young and lacked the ear
marks OF the ~highwayman, she was
greatly relieved. She was inclined TO
fight shy of Hotchkiss, however. for
some reason. She gave us a breakfast
of a sort, for there was little in the
house, and afterward we telephoned
TO the town for a vehicle. While
Hotchkiss examined scratches and re-
placed the Bokhara rug, / engaged
Jennie in conversation.
"Can you tell me-" ! asked, who is
managing the estate since Mrs. Cur
tbs was killed."
mo one" she returned shortly.
"Has-any member of the family
been here since the a~ccident?"
mo, sir. There was only the two,
aud some think Mr.. Sullivan vas
1tlled as we'll as his sister"
you don't?"
no" with conviction.
SWhy?'
whe wheeled on me with quick sus-
pasion.
"Are you a detective?" she de-
snsnded.
mo"
"You told him to say you repre-
scented the law"
81 am a lawyer. Some Of them mis-.
represent the law, but T.
She broke in impatiently.
"a sheriff's oficer?'
mo. Look here, Jennie; j am all
mat / should be, You'll have to be-
lieye that. And I'm in a bad position
through no fault of my own. j want
you to answer some questions. Ii you
will help me, / will do what | can for
you. DO you live ear here?"
Her chin quivered. 1t was the first
sign Of weakness she had shown.
"Ry home is in Pitts5urg," she said,
sana i haven't enough money to get
there. They hadn't paid my wages for
two months. They don't pay any
body"
VERY WE'LL | returned. "fl send
you back Il Pittsburg, Pullman In
cluded. If you will tell me some things
] want to know"
She agreed eagerly. Outside the
window Hotchkiss was bending over,
examining footprints in the drive.
Now" / began, there has been a
Miss Vest staying here?'
yes"
MIR. Sullivan was attentive to
herr"
Yes. She was the granddaughter
80 a wealthy man in Pittsburg. My