Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1910-03-17
= M~x~M$-$M0ooM

True, DOCTOR" remarked Jen, keep
ing his eyes fixed upon the swart face
of the other. And is that all you have
to say?"
"All? What else do you expect me
to say?" demanded Etwald, coldly.
Say who you think killed Maurice?
Who stole the devil-stick?"
Il can't answer" said the doctor,
taking up his hat. "A detective may be
able to assist you on these points. En-
gage one!"
NO" said Jen, taking David by the
arm. 1--WE don't need aid from the
law to learn who killed Maurice, and
aVenge his death. David and myself
will find the guilty person."
Really. I hope you will succeed.
But a case like this requires a trained
intelligence such as you may find in a
detective. Of course, you may com
mand my services, Major, but I'm
afraid you will not succeed"
When the doctor had taken himself
off, and was walking past the library
windows towards the curve of the ave-
nue. where it ran into the woods, Jen
looked after him with a lowering face,
and laid an inquiring finger on David's
arm.
DO you trust that man, my boy?'
he asked, gravely.
NO." returned Sarby, after a pause.
Il think he is a bad lot"
81 am sure of it; and what's more
added Jen, %nodding, cit is my opinion
| that no EnnuyS Wh0 lil1o1 Mo 1,ricn If
indeed he did not do it himself"
The hours dragged heavily along in
that house of mourning. The body of
the dead man lay in the little chamber
which looked out upon the laurel-en-
circled lawn. 1t vas covered with a
! white sheet, the hands were folded up
on the breast, and flowers had been
laid thereon by the Major. Over the
face a handkerchief had been thrown,
as the once handsome features were 90
discolored as to be absolutely repulsiVe
to the sight. There was something
terrible in the rigidity of the long
form, stretched out so stiffiy under the
sheet. In the chamber, candles we're
burning, n Jaggard was watching
near the corpse. He was to watch
throughout the night.
David retired early to bed, as he was
quite wornout with the anXieties OF
the day; but Jen vas too grieved to
sleep. He remained in the library,
thinking over his great loss, and Won
deripg what wretch could have taken
that young life. Towards II o'clock he
wena %, the kitchen, and had a short
conversation with the policeman, who
was a stupid bucolic youth with no
more brains than a pumpkin. After
wards he sought the chamber of death.
to see that Jaggard was not sleeping
at his post. Finally like the old sol
der he was, Jen went round the house,
to satisfy himself that the windows
and doors were bolted and barred. All
these things done, he returned to the
library.
At first he read and her paced UP
and down, thinking of his dead lad,
and finally as the hands of the clock
drew to midnight, he threw himself in
to q chair, and worn out in body and
in mind, the old man slept profoundly.
Hour after hour passed in silence; the
moon set, and the night grew darker,
as the mind rose n moaned through
the woods round the house. Save the
muttering Of the breeze and the ticking
of the clock, not a sound was to be
heard in that silent room wherein Jen
slept heavily.
Suddenly he woke with a start.
Someone vas rapping gently on the
shutters of the middle window. Glanc-
ing at the clock, Jen saw that it was
3 in the morning, inc wondering who
could be outside at so untimely an
With care, begotten of old experience.
he picked up his revolver, and held it
ready while unbolting the window
shutters. When they were thrown
open, he saw a white figure with out
stretched hands standing before the
window.
Miss Dallas! You here? At this
hour?'t
Yes, yes" whispered the girl, STEP
ping into the room. L got out of my
bedroom window and escaped from my
mother and Dido. 1 want to see Maui
rice. Take me to the death-chamber."
Seeing from her looks that she was
too distraught to be argued with, Jen
led her out of the library and into the
dead mans room. Then he uttered
a cry, which was echoed by a wild
shrek from the girl.
The bed was empty-the corpse was
gone.