Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-21

death was blood poisoning, and the
: devil-stick had been the instrumen
used to effect the deed But here The
problem proposed itself: Who hat
killed Maurice? The person who haC
stolen the devil il-stickl Who had sto-
len the devil-stick? The person who
Major Jen came to an abrupt pause
He could think, for a moment of nc
answer to that question; but it is only
fair to say that, dazed by the terrible
occurrence of his dear lads death, Jer
had not his wits about him.
While he was still considering the
affair in a confused manner Jaggard
reappeared with the men from
'Ashantee" carrying a stretcher While
they placed the body of Maurice there
on, the groom bound for Deanminster
passed them driving the dog cart and
Major Jen stopped the man to tell him
that at all risks he was to bring back
DR.. Etwald with him. Jaggard won
dered at this, for Maurice-poor lad
was beyond all earthly aid-but Jen
was thinking of a certain person who
might have committed the crime, and
he wished for the aid of DR.. Etwald to
capture that person. In the mean
time the necessities of the case called
for the immediate removal of the body
to "Ashantee." 1t was a melancholy
procession which bore the body up to
the house, and behind came Major
Jen bowed to the ground with sorrow.
In due time Etwald arrived, for the
groom had been fortunate enough to
| find him at home. On hearing of the
affair he expressed the deepest con-
Germ, and, putting all other business on
one side, he came back to "Ashantee"
in the dog cart Before seeing Jen, he
went up to Aylmer's room and exam
ined the body of the unfortunate young
man. Having satisfied himself so far
as he was able he came down to the
library, where Jen awaited him.
Well, Etwald," cried the Major,
when he saw the tall form of the doc
tor at the door, have you seen him ?"
Il have seen it," corrected Etwald,
with professional calmness, "the poor
fellow is dead, Major-dead from
blood poisoning"
Il knew it; 1 guessed 1.-THE devil
stick"
That may be-" rejoined Etwald TAX
ing a seat, but cannot be sure You
see neither you nor know anything
of the poison which was in the han
die of that African instrument. 1t
But what are you talking OFF," broke
in Jen, impetuously. You say that
my poor boy died from blood poison
ing. How else could he have come by
that, save through being touched or
struck with the devils stick? No one
in the neighborhood was likely to pos
sess any weapon likely to corrupt the
blood. If Maurice had been stabbed,
or shot, 1 could understand the crime;
but as it is, the person who stole the
devil-stick must have killed him"
And who stole the devil stick?"
asked Etwald coolly. IF 1 forget not,
Major, you asked me the other day if
1 did. 1 was no friend of the dead
man; did not like him, nor he me.
We both loved the same woman-we
were rivals. What then so easy as for
you to say-for a jury to believe-that
l had stolen the devil-stick and killed
Mr.. Aylmer, so as to get him out of
the way"
Il never thought of such thing"
protested Jen. Il do not suspect you"
"Then whom do you suspect?" ask
ed Etwald, fixing his dark eyes on the
Major.
"Dido-the negress of Mrs. Dali
las!"
THAT is ridiculous The commits
sion of a crime presupposes a motive.
Now what motive had Dido to kill
your friend?'
"She hated Maurice, and she did not
want him to marry Miss Dallas"
Neither did l, if l remember right
ly," said Etwald, dryly BY the way.
1 suppose you will have a detective to
sift the affair to the bottom? Mr.. Sar-
by is in the city. Why not wire him ?"
IF thought that But" added
Jen, breaking off. how do you know
where David is?"
"Oh!" rejoined Etwald, quietly, "Mr.
Aylmer told me so tonight"
mo night" echoed Jen, starting up.
You saw Maurice tonight"
Certainly. About at hour and a half
before he was murdered. At my house."
replied the doctor, with great deliber-
alton.
$50 1t was you whom he went to see
on business tonight?
Il don't know if you call it busi-
ness. asked Mr.. Aylmer to call and
see me, and sent the message by that
tramp named Battersea."
Il remember his coming. Go on,
please"
Mr.. Aylmer called. as I said" con-
tinued Etwald And then l told him
that Miss Dallas was i'll from being
prevented by her mother from seeing |
him. That l was sorry for the poor |
young lady. and that I gave up my po-
sition as a rival. In fact" added the |
doctor, Z advised Mr.. Aylmer to see
Miss Dallas and marry her as soon as
he could"
But why did you wish to act in this |
generous manner?"
For the very simple reason that |
Miss Dallas is of a delicate and ner-
vous constitution" said Etwald. IF |
she does not marry Mr.. Aylmer, with |
whom she is in love, she may die. l /
quite forget that I should speak in the /
past tense now, Major. Mr.. AylmeF is
dead, and Miss Dallas may pine away
Of grief II was to prevent such ca
tastrophe from occurring that sur
my claim to her hand"
Very generous OF you indeed" said
Jen. ironically; but I do not see why