The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-11-10

ly, but l think we may be certain it
was fright, and that he was hiding
from something. l am sorry in more
than one way; l have always believed
that Thomas knew something, or sus-
pected something. that he would not
tell. Do you know how much money
there was in that WORKOUT wallet Of
his? Nearly 500! Almost two
months wages-and yet those darkies
seldom have penny. Well-what
Thomas knew will be buried with
him"
With the death of Thomas, felt
that climax had come in affairs at
Sunnyside. The night that followed
was quiet enough. Halsey watched
at the foot of the staircase, and COM
plicated system of bolts on the other
doors seemed to be effectual
Once lin the night l wakened and
thought heard the tapping again.
But all was quiet, and l had reached
the stage where I refused to be dis.
turbed for minor occurrences.
The Armstrong; were notified of
Thomas death, and / had my first in
terview with DIR. Walker as a result.
He came up early the next morning,
just as we finished breakfast, in pro-
fessional looking car with a black
hood
Il must make a double excuse for
this early visit, Miss Innes," he said
as he sat down. The chair was lower
than he expected, and his dignity re-
quired collecting before he went on.
MY professional duties are urgent
and long neglected, and"--a fall to the
everyday something must
be done about that body"
YES" l said sitting OF the edge Of
my chair. 81 merely wished the ad.
dress of Thomas people. You might
have telephoned, If you were busy"
He smiled.
Il wished to see you about some
thing else,' he said. CAS- for Thomas,
it is Mrs. Armstrong; wish that you
allow her to attend to the expense.
About his relatives, have already
notified his brother, in the village. II
was heart disease, think. Thomas
always had a bad heart"
Heart disease and fright" l said.
still on the edge of my chair But the
doctor had no intention of leaving.
Il understand you have a ghost up
here, and that you have the house
filled with detectives to exercise it,"
he said
For some reason I felt 1 was being
pumped" as Halsey says. You
have been misinformed," l replied.
what, no ghost, no detectives" he
said still with his smile What dis
to the village!"
| resented his attempt at playful |
ness. 1t had been anything but joke |
to us.
CDR. Walker I said tartly Il fail |
to see any humor in the situation. |
Since came here, one man has been
shot, and another one has died from
shock. There have been intruders in
the house, and strange noises. If that
Is funny, there is something wrong
with my sense of humor."
you miss the point" he said, still
good naturally. 1.-THE thing that is
'unny to me is that you insist on re.
naming here, under the circume.
ances. should think nothing would
Keep you"
You are mistaken. Everything that
occurs only confirms my resolution to
tay until the mystery is cleared"
II have message for you, Miss
nnes," he said, rising at last. Mrs.
armstrong asked me to thank you for
our kindness to Louise, whose within.
occurring at the time it did, put her
o great inconvenience. Also-and
his is a delicate matter-she asked
ne to appeal to your natural sym.
athy for her, at this time, and to ask
on If you will not reconsider your De.
ision about the house. Sunnyside is
er home; she loves il dearly, and
lst now she wishes to retire here Tor {
uiet and peace"
she must have had a change of
cart" / said, ungraciously enough. I
Louise told me her mother despised
he place. Besides, this is no places
Or quiet and peace just now. Any
ow, doctor, while l don't care to
1rce an issue, shall certainly re-
lain here, for time at least" q
For how long?" he asked. [
my lease is for six months. shall
lay until some explanation is found !
,r certain things. My own family IL q
IMPLICATED now, and shall do every. Il
ling to clear the mystery of Arnold I
rmtsrong's murder" .
The doctor stood looking down, slap
ing his gloves thoughtfully against c
he palm of well-looked-after hand. q
you say there have been intruders c
the house?" he asked You ara n
ire of that, Miss Innes?" e
CTo BE CoNTINUED) e
.S.SN I'D y