Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-11
By
WILLIAM
HAMILTON
OSBORNE
@@@@@@@@@@@@

stevens shook his head. The next
moment Shirley Bloodgood had enter
ed the drawing room and stood gazing
into the face of William Murgatroyd.
SHIRLEY Bloodgoody' The name fell
incredulously from his lips. "You
here?
Shirley held out her hand.
"And you-what are you doing
here?" she asked quickly. II didn't
know that you were a friend Of the
family"
Tall, we'll built, with smooth shaw
en- face. a square chin and nose that
stood well out into the air. Murgatroyd
was man who appeared to be with
out enthusiasm; but, although sharp
and businesslike, his manner was easy.
Turning to Shirley, he came to the
point at once.
Il want to see Mrs. Challoner," he
announced. "But Pm glad you're here,
for don't know her very well, and"-
"You can't very well see her now"
Shirley interrupted. shaking her head.
"She's frightfully unstrung. She's ill.
You know it's almost three weeks now
since Laurie first went away, and"-
II know" he broke in just bit i'm
patiently.
"What?" Shirley gasped, the truth at
last dawning upon, her. you don't
mean to say that you're here in-in
your official capacity?"
Murgatroyd smiled grimly.
Its the oniy capacity in which I'm
likely to be here, Shirley" he remind
ed her.
But" she protested, 81 thought they
left these things to-
"The police" he finished. and again
smiled grimly. '"They do. but there
are reasons. You see." he went on to
| explain, ''since was appointed prose-
cutor of the pleas I've turned up a
thing or two in the police department,
and, well. the police departments and I
are somewhat out Of tune This case
they have put up to me and my men,"
"Surely you can't mean to imply that
you have to do this kind of thing your
self?"
remind you" he went on. the full re-
sponsibility Of his office upon him,
that am here to see Mrs Challoner,
to fnd out where -Challoner is and to
persuade her to persuade him to come
back"
"Then he wasn't caught in Chicago"
Shirley exclaimed almost jubilantly.
And then, touching him on the arm
bit Familiarity. she added:
"Billy. you don't really believe that
Laurie murdered Colonel Hargraves?''
Murgatroyd laughed short laugh.
81 don't know" he went on evasive-
ly, "whether Challoner murdered Har-
graves or not"
you don't know"
mo-" returned the prosecutor. $50
far the evidence is purely circumstan-
tial."
| Shirley drew long breath and ech-
sed excitedly. "Circumstantial!" There
was flicker Of a smile on her face as
she added:
'Then the newspapers were wrong
when they said it was certainty"
Murgatroyd held up his hand and
went on to explain:
"What / tell you is confidential. You
understand"
Eyes, yes" she said impatiently
"But tell me about it-the real facts
that is. If you can"
'erhere's no reason why shouldn't,
I suppose" said the prosecutor of the
pleas. "The real facts as we have
them-as we have them. mind-are
L <,Sv = Nj
mel Hargraves."
"what aboutT' asked Shirley impul-
sively.
Murgatroyd flushed.
"That makes no difference" he an
swered, with some confusion. "The
point is that they were enemies. It
was quarrel in which the passions Of
each were reused to the utmost. To
make a long story short, Colonel Har-
graves won $4,000 at Gravesend. The
men met in Cradlebaugh's. Another
quarrel followed.
"What does that proven
Nothing. only man named Penn
mican Of Cradlebaugh's witnessed both
quarrels, and Challoner has run away"
But" persisted Shirley, "that EVIL
dence'-
Zone moment, please" went on the
prosecutor calmly. "Hargraves had
the $4,000 In cash with him, and"--
Surely you don't think Lawrence
would stealY she commented.
Prosecutor Murgatroyd answered
slowly:
Frankly speaking, do. believe
that Challoner would do anything"
Its impossible Why, the. Challo-
ners have any amount of money!"
Murgatroyd shrugged his shoulders.
"Challoner's wife has. but
tits the same thing" Shirley pro-
tested, land she just adores him-you
do not know how much she adores
him, Billyv'
But how about himT
The girl shook her head and answer
ed somewhat sadly:
81 know. She's blind to every
thing"
Once moro she placed her hand Inn
pulsively on Murgatroyd's arm.
"Oh, itS perfectly dreadful, the
whole thingv'
Unwittinsly Mursatroyd changed his
mood to meet hers.
sYou were a friend Of his. weren't
your s;1
-Yss. Sst0rs e narriaa. vasa 10