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

why was Mr.. Bailey not presen
at the inquest?"
The detectives expression was pc
culiar.
Because his physician testified
that he is ill, and unable to leave his
bed"
I'LL" l exclaimed. why, neither
Halsey nor Gertrude has told me
that"
There are more things than that
Miss Innes, that are puzzling. Bailey
gives the impression that he knew
nothing of the crash at the bank un
til he read it in the paper Monday
night, and that he went back and sur
rendered himself Immediately. l dc
not believe it. Jonas, the Waterman
at the Traders bank, tells different
story. He says that on the Thurs.
day night before, about $3.50, Bailey
went back to the bank. Jonas ad-
mitted him, and he says the cashier
was in state almost of collapse.
Bailey worked until midnight, then he
closed the vault and went away. The
ccurrence was so unusual that the
Waterman pondered over it all the
rest of the night What did Bailey
do when he went back to the Knicker-
booker apartments that night? He
packed suitcase ready for instant
departure. But he held off too long;
he waited for something. My per-
sonal opinion is that he waited to see
Miss Gertrude before flying from the
country. Then, when he had shot
down Arnold Armstrong that night, he
had to choose between two evils. He
did the thing that would Immediately
turn public opinion in his favor, and
surrendered himself, as an innocent
man. The strongest thing against
him is his preparation for fight, and
mis- deciding to come back after the
murder of Arnold Armstrong. He was
shrewd enough to disarm suspicion as
to the graver charge"
The evening dragged along slowly.
Mrs Watson came to my bedroom be-
fore went to bed and asked If had
swollen hand, with reddish streaks
running toward the elbow; she said
1t was the hand she had hurt the night
of the murder a week before, and that
she had not slept well since. 1t looked
to me as If 1t might be serious, and
told her to let Dr. Stewart see it.
The next morning Mrs. Watson
went up to town on the IL train and
was admitted to the Charity hospital.
She was suffering from blood-poison-
ing. fully meant to go up and see
her there, but other things drove her
entirely from my mind. l telephoned
to the hospital that day, however, and
ordered private room for her, and
whatever comforts she might be al
lowed.
Mrs Armstrong arrived Monday
evening with her husbands body, and
the services were set for the next
day. The house on Chestnut street,
In town, had been opened, and Tues |
day morning Louise left us to go |
home. She sent for me before she
went. and / saw she had been crying. |
How can I thank you, Miss Innes?"
she said. You have taken me on |
faith, and--you have not asked me
any questions. Some time, perhapa, l |
can tell you; and when that time
comes, you will all despise me--aal-
sey, too"
/ tried to tell her how glad was to
have had her. but there was some
hing else she wanted to say. She
said It finally, when she had babe a
good-by to Halsey and the
:ar was waiting at the door.
Miss Innes," she said in low
one, IF they--if there is any attempt
made toto have you give up the
louse, do 1t, II you possibly can. / am
lfraid--to have you stay"
That was ALL Gertrude went into
own with her and saw her safely
ionic. She reported decided cool
less in the greeting between Louise
nd her mother, and that DR.. Walker
vas there, apparently in. charge of the
arrangements for the funeral. Halsey
shortly after Louise left
nd came home about nine that night,
muddy and tired AS for Thomas. he
vent around detected and sad, and /
aw the detective watching him close
y at dinner. Even now l wonder
that did Thomas know? What did he
Inspect?
AT ten O'Clock the household had
ettled down for the night. Liddy,
rho was taking Mrs. Watson's place,
ad finished examining the tea-towels
nd the corners of tie shelves in the
ooling room, and had gone to bed
,iex. the gardener. had gone heavily