Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-13
A Mystery
Romance
Y
CHAPTER VII.
copyrialat. 1909. by Dodd,
Mead & Co.

Nv the morning after Chal-
loner's arrest the prosecutor
was sitting in his private Of
fee in the courthouse when
Mixley and McGrath entered.
you've done as instructed? You've
got Charoner outsider the prosecutor
asked.
The men replied in the affirmative.
Bring him in," commanded Muir
gatroyd.
They returned with the prisoner.
Challoner looked better than he had
the night before.
II sent for you," said the prosecutor,
because of what you said last night.
am not sure that you meant all you
said"
Challoner laughed loudly.
"Of course I remember It," he said
presently, and, pointing with steady
forefinger to a weapon on the prose-
cutor's desk, II shot him with that
gun there"
"Most decidedly, then," continued the
prosecutor. "you do not recall that l
told you that anything you might say
would
II heard all you said," the prisoner
broke in. "But what's the use? 1t had
to come. was getting tired Of hiding
and never having wink Of sleep. Be-
sides, knew that Pemmican, Cradle
baugh's man, saw the whole affair.
There was no escape"
Murgatroyd's face expressed ap-
proval Of this point Of view. His
voice, however, was noncommittal
when he observed:
"Pemmican saw it all, then?'
Certainly he did," Challoner volun-
teered.
When the prosecutor spoke again he
did SO without looking up from sew
eral documents he was scanning.
II haven't examined Pemmican-my
men have, though" he said. "Tve got
him under lock and key, and he'll
have to stay there until'-
Challoner moistened his lips.
Until my trial, suppose" he inter-
posed. "Poor devil! That's hard
linesw
The prosecutor ignored the COM
ment, but he reminded the prisoner
again that he must be careful not to
say anything that could be used
against him, concluding with:
you came here from the Jail quite
willingly this morning."
"Don't you think we can cut all that
sort Of thing out, Mr.. Prosecutors" a
little scornfully
Before answering Murgatroyd shot a
glance at his men, as IL to sharpen
their attention.
Every well. then,'' he said finally,
'if you're quite willing should like
to know the exact details. AS I un-
derstand it, both Hargraves and you
were fatally infatuated with an ac-
tress at the Frivolity-quarreled over
her. Is that right?"
Surely there is no necessity of
bringing any other names into this"
Challoner answered holly, and then,
little by little calming down, he re-
counted graphically the incidents of
that memorable night.
A most unusual performance on the
part Of the prosecutor cut him short.
All the time Challoner had been LAYING
bare the facts Murgatroyd had been
toying with pigskin wallet on which
appeared in gold the initials "R. H.
and just when his prisoner was on the
point Of ending his story he tossed it
over to him, demanding:
do you recognize that?" The prose-
cutor desired If possible to add rob-
berry to the motive in the case.
"Know it?" the prisoner replied glib
ly. II should think 1 did! 1t was Har-
graves. When l saw it last there was
$4,000 in it." Turning it inside out,
he asked in an offhand manner:
"Where's the money gomez"
Murgatroyfs eyes searched the face
Of the man before him.
you took it." he asserted coldly.
Challoner strove to clear away his
muddled recollections.
II took it? Decidedly mott" he ex-
claimed Indignantly. But the mans
dipsomaniacal doubts and fears tinged
the tone Of hts voice and lessened the
impressiveness Of his denial, though he
added: "Why, your witness, Pemmi-
can. can tell you that. He saw the
whole thing"
MuFgatEoyd asked of Challoner
whether It was not fact that he had
tried to borrow money all over town.
The eyes" he elected was muttered
angrty.
But I didn't touch that" Challoner
resumed. the beads Of perspiration
standing out on his brow. III / did
take the money, what in the world
have done with It? Tell me that. But
look here, Mursatroyd; let's get down
to business and have this over with. l
told you That I waited for Hargraves
for two nights. We had game in
Room A. There was compact. Har-
graves won out. Hang him, he al
ways won out. We had row then
and there. pulled that gun and fred
ct him point blank"
*And theny'
II killed him. and would do 1t over
again, assure you. don't remember
any more, but Pemmican was there.
You've got his story. He knows all
about it."
Ellis story" observed Murgatroyd,
laying forefnger. on the edge Of the
aesk. amounts 70 just what you said
last night"
There was loud rap on the door.
Mixley answered il and left the room.
He returned In an instant.