Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-06-30
CHAPTER XXIII.

| isabella killed Maurice! said Jen,
pushing back his chair. Impossible,
Doctor You must be mistaken"
Il don't think SOL" replied Etwald,
dryly Il saw her do it. So did Da-
vid."
You must be mistaken" insisted
the Major once more. David was in
New York on the night when the crime
was committed"
by his own confession in court
David was in the grounds of Mrs. Dali
las on that night"
yes, yes. You are right" said Jen,
in a bewidered tone. Still, 1 cannot
believe that Isabella killed Maurice.
She loved him dearly, and had no rea-
son to murder him"
None in the world. Yet she GER
tainly took his life. Come Major, l
won't worry you any longet with IN
quiries. Dido hypnotized the daugh-
ter to commit the crime, as she had
willed the mother to steal the devil
stick. Isabella is absolutely ignorant
of what she did, and firmly believed
that I was the guilty person. Now, OF
course, she thinks David-by his own
confession-is the assassin"
to save herr"
"Of course; but Isabella does not
know that. She thinks-aad, on the
face of it, with reason-that David
killed Maurice out of jealousy"
How was it David saw the crime
committed?"
II shall explain" said Etwald. "Da-
vid found out that Maurice was going
to meet Isabella that night, secretly.
in the grounds of Mrs. Dallas, near the
gate. Determined to see the meeting,
and to learn if there was any hope for
him, he feigned journey to New York
in order to lull any suspicious which
Maurice might have that he was be-
ing watched. Instead of going, how
ever, he concealed himself at spot
where he could see the gates, which
opened on to the highway Now" add
ed Etwald, with side glance at the
Major, ''it so happened that also
wished to see that meeting"
How did you know 1t was about to
take placer"
Il learned the fact from Dido Well
1 saw David in his place of conceal
ment, and guessed his reason for COM
ing. Maurice appeared at the rendez-
vous, and shortly afterwards Isabella,
under the hypnotic influence, came
down the avenue. In her hand she
held the devil-stick, and came swiftly
towards Maurice. He, not understand
ing the deadly weapon with which she
was armed, came to meet her with
outstretched arms. She thrust the
devil-stick before her. and wounded
him in the palm of the hand. With a
cry he fell-dead."
within the gates?" asked the Ma
jor, much agitated.
yes, within the gates" responded
Etwald when Isabella had struck
the blow, she dropped the devil stick in
the grass where, if you remember it
was found by Battersea. Then she re-
turned to the house by the little path
which leads thereto through the sur
rounding trees. The body lay in the
bright moonlight, full in the center of
the path, not a stonesthrow from the
high-road. David and 1 rushed sim
from our hiding places,
and 1 explained hurriedly that the body
must not be found in the grounds. He
and we carried the body on
to the road. Before we had time to
deliberate what was to be done, we
heard the noise of approaching foot
steps, and afraid-both of us-of being
accused Of the crime, we fed. Then
you came down the road and discover
ed the corpse"
Yes. I heard the poor lads cry"
said Jen, simply. "and 1 ran down at
once. You must have been very quick
in your movements. wish both of
you had been more open with me"
Il am afraid that would have been |
impossible, Major" said Etwald, rising |
You were so distracted over the death |
Of Maurice, and so unjust in your ha- |
tired of me, that 1t would have been |
to trust you"
Am I unjust in my hatred Of your |
demanded Jen, getting on his feet. Il /
think not, DR.. Etwald. Your desire to /
marry Isabella, or, rather, her fortune, /
has been the cause of all these Ills. /
Dido was only your instrument, whom |
YOU compelled to work by means Of the
Voodoo Stone. That she betrayed you
in the end was your punishment. I 10
not blame her so much as / do you.
You alone are responsible for the death
lf those two poor lads Of mine"
well, have II your own way" sail
Etwald, carelessly. 4 am a scoundreI