The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-11

"Ycu Don't Think He Locked the
Door Himself?'
two people, man and woman
They looked half dead, so | sent them
right here for breakfast and some
soap and water. | always say soap is
better than liquor after a shock
Ilotchkiss was listening absently;
Mcknight was whistling under his
breath. staring down across the field
TO where a break in the woods showed
half dozen telegraph poles, the line
of the railroad
1T must have been 12 O'clock when
we got back; wanted the children to
see everything, because 1t isn't likely
they'll ever see another wreck like
that. Rows Of"
About u O'Clock" | broke in "and
what them"
THE young man upstairs was
awake she went on, "hammering at
his door like all possessed And it
was locked on the outside!" She
paused to enjoy her sensation
Il would like to see that lock,
Hotchkiss said promptly, but for some
reason the woman demurred Il will
bring the key down. she said and dis
appeared When she returned she
held out an ordinary door key Of the
cheapest variety.
I'VE had TO break the lock" she vol
unteered, and the key didn't turn up
for two days. Then one OF the twins
found the turkey gobbler trying to
swallow it. 1t has been washed since
she FASTENED TO assure llotchkiss,
who showed an inclination to drop 1t.
You don't think he locked the door
himself and threw the key out of the
Window" the little man asked
"The windows are covered with
mosquito netting, nailed on. The mis-
ter blamed IT on the children, and it
might have been Obadiah. He's the
quiet kind, and you never know what
he's about"
Hes about to strangle. isn't he
Mcknight remarked lazily, "or is that
OBADIAH"
Mrs. Carter picked the boy up and
inverted him. talking amiably all the
time. Hes always doing IT," she
said, giving him a shake. Whenever
we miss anything we look to see If
Obadiahs black in the face" She gave
another shake, and the quarter had
given him shot out as If blown from
gun. Then we prepared to go back
TO the station.
From where | stood could look
into the CHEEKY farm kitchen, where
Alison West and | had eaten our al
iresco breakfast. looked at
the table with mixed emotions and
then, gradually, the meaning of some
thing on it penetrated my mind Still
in its papers, evidently just opened,
was a hat box, and protrudipg over
the edge of the box was a streamer Of
vivid green ribbon.
On the plea that ] wished TO ask
Mrs. Carter a few more questions, |
let the others go on. watched them
down the hagstone walk, saw iSc-
knight stop and examine the gate
posts and saw. too, the quick glance
he threw back at the house. Then |
turned to Mrs Carter
81 would like to speak to the young
lady upstairs, | said.
She threw up her hands with a
quick gesture Of surrender. i've done
all could" she exclaimed. "She
won't like it very we'll but-she's in
the room over the parlor."
went eagerly up the ladder-like
stairs. to the rag-carpeted hall. Two
doors were open, showing interiors OF
four poster beds and high bureaus.
The door of the room over the parlor
was almost closed | hesitated in the
hallway: after ALL what right had
to intrude on her? But she settled my
difficulty by throwing open the door
and facing me.
Ill beg your pardon, Miss West,
stammered. 1T has just occurred
10 me that am unpardonably rude. !
saw the hat downstairs and II
guessed
"rhe hiatt" she said y might have
known Does Richey know ! am
here?'
Il don't think So" | turned to go
down the stairs again. Then ! halted.
"The fact is, | said, in an attempt at
justification. I'm in rather a mess
these days. and I'm apt TO do ire
sponsible things. 1t is not Impossible
that | shall be arrested. In a day or
so. for the murder of Simon Harring-
ton"
She drew her breath in sharply
"Murderl" she echoed Then they
have found you after ALL"
81 don't regard 1t as anything more
-er--inconyenient." lied They
can't convict me, you know Almost
all the witnesses are dead
she @as not deceived for moment
She came over to me and stood. both