The Tupelo journal., 1910-07-01
CHAPTER vIII.-Continued.

Undoubtedly. Why, what could 1t
be but flight? Miss Innes, let me re-
construct hat evening, as | see 1t.
Bailey and Armstrong had quarreled
at the club. | learned this to-day.
Your nephew brought Bailey over.
Prompted by jealous, insane fury,
Armstrong followed, coming across by
the path. He entered the billiard
room wing-perhaps rapping, and be-
ing admitted by you nephew. Just
inside he was shot, by some one on
the circular staircase. The shot fired,
your nephew and Bailey left the house
at once, going toward the automobile
house. They left by the lower road
which prevented them being heard,
and when you and Miss Gertrude got
downstairs everything was quiet"
.But-Gertrude's story" l stam-
mered.
miss Gertrude only brought for
ward her explanation the following
morning. l do not believe it, Miss
Innes. 1t is the story of a loving and
ingenious woman =
"And-this thing tonight"
MAY upset my whole view of the
case. We must give the benefit OF
every doubt after all. We may, for
instance, come back to the figure on
the porch; if 1t vas a woman you saw
that night through the window, we
might start with other premises. Or
Mr.. Innes' explanation may turn US
in a new direction. 1t is possible that
he shot Arnold Armstrong as a burg
lar and then fed, frightened at what
he had done. In any case, however,
| feel confident that the body was
here when he left. Mr.. Armstrong
left the club ostensibly for a moon
light ~saunter, about half after eleven
o'clock. 1t was three when the shot
was fired"
1 leaned back b~ewildered. 1t seemed
to me that the evening had been full
of significant happenings, had only
held the key. Had Gertrude been the
fugitive in the clothes chute? Who
was the nan on the drive near the
lodge. and whose ~gold-mounted dress
ing-bag had / seen in the lodge sitting
room?
It was late when Mr.. Jameson
finally got up to go. l went with hin
to the door, and together we stood
looking out over the valley. Below
lay the village of Casanova, with it's
Old World houses, it's blossomins
trees and it's peace. Above on the hill
across the valley were the lights of
the Greenwood club. 1t was even pos
sible to see the curving row OF paral-
lei lights that marked the carriage
road. Rumors that l had heard about
the club came back-of drinking, of
high play, and once, a year ago, Of a
suicide under those very lights.
Mr.. Jameson left, taking a short
cut to the village, and l still stood
there. 1t must have been after II,
and the monotonous tick of the big
clock on the stairs behind me was the
only sound. Then l was conscious
that some one was running up the
drive. In a minute a woman darted
into the area of light made by the
open door, and caught me by the arm.
1t was Rosie-Rosie in a state of col
lapse from terror, and, not the least
important, clutching n of my Coal
port plates and a silver spoon.
She stood staring into the darkness
behind, still holding the plate. l got
her into the house and secured the
plate; Their | stood and looked down
at her where she crouched trembling
ly against the doorway.
"Well," l asked, didn't YOU young
mar enjoy his meal?"
She couldn't speak. She looked at
the spoon she still heidi wasn't so
anxious about it; thank Heaven, 1t
wouldn't chip-and then she stared at
me.
81 appreciate your desire to have
everything nice for him." / went on,
"but the next time, you might take
the Limoges china. It's more easily
duplicated and less expensive"
81 haven't a young man-not here"
She had got her breath now, as l had
guessed she would. II have been
chased by a thief, Miss Innes."
Dlu ne Cudoc yOu Jul VI Lie nOuSS
and back again." I asked.
Then Rosie began to cry-not ST.
lently, but noisily, Historically. !
stopped her by giving her a good
shake.
What in the world is the matter
with you?" I snapped. HAS the day
of good common sense gone by! Sit
up and tell me the whole thing"
Rosie sat up then, and SMILED.
81 was coming up the drive" she
began.
you must start with when you
went down the drive, with my dishes
and my silver" / interrupted, but,
seeing more signs of hysteria, / gave
in. Very well. You were coming up
the drive"
Il had a basket of-of silver and
dishes on my arm, and / was carrying
the plate, because-because / was
afraid I'd break it. PARKWAY up the