The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-11-30
CHAPTER xxIV.-continued,

Hotchkiss felt certain that II ha
been Sullivan. but I was not so sure
Why would he have crawled like
thief into his own house? II he ha,
crossed the park. as seemed probable
when we did. he had not made an,
attempt 10 use the knocker. | gave
Cp finally. and made an effort to con
eiiiate the young woman in the tower
We had heard no sound since on
spectacular entrance into her room
I YVES distinctly uncomfortable, a.
clone this time. | climbed to the tower
staircase. Reasoning from before
she would probably throw a chair a
me. stopped at the SCOT of the stair
case and called
Hello up there" I said. in az de
6onnair manner as I could summon
Good morning Vic gent es bel
huen?"
No reply.
Bon jour. mademoiselle." tried
again. This time there was a move
ment Of some sort from above. but
Rothing fell On me-
I've want to apologize for rous.
fns you so-er-unexpectedly this
morning" | went on. THE fact Is. We
wanted to talk to you. and you-you
were hard to waken We are travel
ers. lost in your mountains. and We
crave q breakfast and an audience"
She came to the door then. I could
feel that she was investigating the top
Of my head from above. rs Mr. Sui
lvan with you?" she asked. 1t was
the first word from her. and she was
Got sure of her voice.
NO. We are alone. If you will
come down and look at us you will
end us two perfectly harmless people.
whose horse-curses on him-depart-
ed without leave last night and left
III at your gate"
she relaxed somewhat then and
came down a step or two. Il was
afraid had killed somebody" she
Said. The housekeeper left yester-
day. and the other maids went with
her"
When she saw that I was COM
paratively young and lacked the ear
marks of the highwayman. she was
greatly relieved. She was inclined to
tight shy of Hotchkiss. however, for
some reason. She gave us a breakfast
Of g sort, for there was little in the
house. and afterward we telephoned
70 the town for a vehicle. While
Kotchkiss examined scratches and re-
placed the Bokhara rug. I engaged
Jennie in conversation.
Can you tell me-" I asked, who is
managing the estate since Mrs. Cur
ds was killed."
mo one" she returned shortly.
-Has-any member of the family
been here since the accident?"
NO. sir. There was only the two.
and some think Mr.. Sullivan was
killed as we'll as his sister,"
You dont?"
No" with conviction.
WHY"
She wheeled on me with quick sus-
Picion.
Are you q detective" she de-
Elanded.
mo"
you told him to say you repre-
eented the law"
Il am lawyer. Some of them mis-
represent the law. but ="
She broke in impatiently.
"A sheriff's officer?"
No. Look here. Jennie: I am all
that l should be. You'll have to be-
neve that And I'm in a bad position
through no fault Of my own | want
you TO answer some questions II you
xtll help me. l will do what can for
you Do you live near here?"
Her chin quivered. 1t was the first
Sign Of weakness she had shown
My home is in Pittsburg." she said.
and I haven't enough money to &c:
ehere. They hadn't paid NY wages for
two months. They don't pay any
oody."
Very WE'LL" returned. I'll send
you back to Pittsburg. Pullman in
Guided. If you will tell me some things
I want to know"
She agreed eagerly Outside the
window Ho;chkss was bending over.
footprints in the drive.
Nov" I began. there has been a
Miss West staying here?"
Yes" !
MIR. Sullivan was attentive to
her,"
Yes. She was the granddaughter |
Of wealthy man in Pittsburg. My
aunt has been in his family for 20 !
years. Mrs. Curtis wanted her broth !,
e to marry Miss West
DO you think he did marry herr"
1 could not keep the excitement out |
Of my voice.
mo. There were reasons"-she !
stopped abruptly.
do you know anything of the fam
uye Are they-were they New York
ars?"
They came from somewhere in the |
south. l have heard Mrs. Curtis say
her mother was a Cuban. don't
know much about them. but Mr. Sulli- |
Tan had a wicked temper. though he