The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-07-08
CHAPTER xxIv.

f4ackleye greeted JOhnSon'S rap WITH
4 nervous Come in" and exchanged a
evan smile for Johnny friendly saluta-
xion. He had been writing and the Ia
BILE was strewn with piles of closely
written manuscript JOhnny's eyes fell
upon the pages, and riveted there. That
they were the work of Hackleye's pen
was evident, and
The writing was absolutely unlike
that in the letters found addressed to
Cerisse Wayne!
writing a book ?" asked Johnny, as
he sat down with an effort to be COM
posed.
mo, merely some instructions as to
what I want done with my estate, in
case anything happens to me- answ -r-
ed Hackleye. its on account of the
children. you know"
Don't let me bother you." politely
suggested Johnny, 'if 1 interrupt I'll
60"
ION the contrary I'm glad to have
you" replied Hackleye. I've had
mournful morning, spending 1t among
reliquaries. Would you like to see
some of my mementoes? ?"
He pulled out a deep drawer from
the side of the table and began lifting
out treasure after treasure. Folded In
softest parchment was long caressing
curl of rust red hair, only too evident
1y cut from the head Of his dead wife
Then there were pictures OF her rom
babyhood to maturity. And letters
love notes-all in the same handwr1t-
ing. There were odd gloves, delicate
Iy perfumed, with the strange door
that had permeated the Desterle home
that wretched morning of tragedy and
woe, cobwebby lace handkerchiefs. and
a bunch of faded flowers.
Here is her wedding bonnet mus
ed Hackleye. See. here is program
of an exhibition day in the convent
where she played and sang. She had a
voice like melted crystal worshipped
her, made an idol Of her, and | paid
the penalty. I hope that death has
brought her peace-life never could
have done so. My wife. by beloved
wife!"
s.Hackleye," said Johnny, placing his
hand on the bowed head. you didn't
kill her. know it. Help us to find
the man who did,
Hackieye looked up You're the nrst
one who's had any faith in me" he an
severed, except Francis, lie Malheu-
reux as you call him. her brother, you
know. Francis and have tried to save
her manner"
Why" questioned Johnny. striking
while the iron was hot why does LIE
Malheureux ever walk among men
thus yelled and concealed?"
Hackleye shot Johnny a gasp of ter
ror. las you would not injure the gen.
tlest soul that ever walked" he plead
ed. try, never try to probe that mys-
terry. For your own peace of mind
leave LIE Malheureux alone
Il spied on you last night" confess
ed Johnny. Il followed you into that
closet there. where you have all those
images of your wife. l want to apollo
gize for doing it,"
You needn't" returned Hackleye.
Worship her loveliness any time you
wish, as 1 do always
DO you know Harcourt," abruptly
questioned the American.
mo, I've never met him. answered
Hackleye. Il never knew who the man
was that had stolen my wife's heart
from me. Cerisse was clever and she
covered her path well. / do know,
though. that towards the end she seem
ed to grow tired of him. He waxed
fnsaneiy jealous of her towards the
him at the last
Who do you think killed her?"
queried Johnny. .'or do you know ?'
Il did not lease that house at "a
Briarsweet place-the one where the
passage way was found you know"
Why, saw you, saw you go through
the passage way myself, the morning
after the murder" cried Johnny.
Yes, l know you did, admitted
Hackleye. That was my second visit
there. was in there the morning that
they found the body. / had followed
LIE Malheureux there up through the
hole in the wall. Mrs. Desterle saw me
there when she burst in the door. LIE
Mauheureux and I had gone up to see
Cerisse. LIE Malheureux had been there
before He had traced her out and told
me where she was. I went expectinu
to find the living woman-I found. dead
clay. When the policeman and Mrs
OBSTETRICS husband were carving her
back to her bedroom, I walked down
the stairs and away from the house
When reached my lodgings, whsre
was stopping under an assumed name
discovered had lost one of nv gar.
tiers l went back that night and fore.
ed an entrance to the Flanders horse
and climbed back into the bedroom
through the hole in the wall. looked
for the garter hit couldn't find It.
wanted it for sentiments sake. and ,o
because was afraid Of any incrimina.
ton that might result from it, as 70,
years have been practically unknown
In civilized countries. And" with ,
whimsical smile. Il was frirhtene<
away. and in nay haste to leave tn,
Flanders house. I lose the mate to i
out Of my pocket"
And found It right by the door /,
tne house that Hamley HacHsye "a,
supposed to have leased. said Iobn
Was the Man-AperiiiA III. e.
nnom when you and lie Malherrren,
"A vrk<k R~E -