The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1910-06-17
CHAPTER Vlll.-Continued.

undoubtedly. Why, what could 1t
no hut fight? Miss lines, let me re-
construct that evening, as l see It.
pailev and Armstrong had quarreled
nj 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 your 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 STAN
mered
Miss Gertrude only brought for
ward her explanation the following
morning. do not believe 1t, Miss
Innes. It is the story of 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 was woman you saw
that night through the window, We
might start with other premises. Or
! Mr. lines explanation may turn US
! In new direction. 1t Is possible that
he shot Arnold Armstrong as a burg
lar and then fled. 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 moon
light saunter. about half after eleven
| o'clock 1t was three when the shot
| was fired
| leaned back bewildered. 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 man ON the drive near the
lodge and whose gold-mounted dress
Ing bag had | seen in the lodge sitting
room?
1t was late when Mr.. Jameson
nnally got up to go | went with him
10 the door. and together we stood
looking out over the valley. Below
lay the village of Casanova, with its
oid World houses. its blossoming
trees and its peace. Above on the hill
across the valley We're the lights OF
Inc Greenwood club. 1t was even pos
slole to see the curving row of paral-
lei lights that marked the carriage
road, Rumars that | had heard about
ine club came back-of drinking, of
hish play, and once. year ago, of a
suicide Under those very lights.
Mr.. Jameson left. taking short
eu' TO the village, and | still stood
'hefe' II must have been after IL,
"nu the monotonous tick of the big
'ioeh on the stairs behind me was the
.hy sound. Then | was conscious
,nat some one was running up the
aiiFe. In a minute a woman darted
'"'o the area of light made by the
open door, and caught me by the arm.
was Rosie Rosie in state of col.
.aPse from terror. and, not the least
Important clutching one of my Coal.
P0't plates and a silver spoon.
Que stood staring into the darkness
e"ihQ' sun holding the plate. | got
'h'o NE house and secured the
,.aee' then stood and looked down
hef Where She crouched trembling.
agalnsi the doorway.
Wei ! asked. didn't your Young
Pian enjoy his meal?"
one couldn't speak. She looked at
~ spoon she still heidi wasn't so
su9 ahout It; thank Heaven. it
1'u" chlp-and then she stared at
| appreciate your desire to have
h ms,hiqg nice for him." | went on.
~ ,ne next time, you might take
0ni 1iDaoges china. It's more easily
r"s''ea and less expensive"
haven't a young man-not here"
1osa n11 got her breath now, as | had
basod she would. II have been
ne ne ny thief, Miss lines"
"a ~ ne chase you out of the house
~, oaok again?" l asked.
ptlv w" Rosie began to cry-not 81.
cnS s' but noisily, hysterically /
ake ner BY giving her a good