The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-04-08
CHAPTER III.

Iney nolO Tie IuQUcSl SidI ooiAe
afternoon, and in the room where
Cerisse Wayne's body had been found.
DR.. Mccain, the coroner, could find
no trace of violence on the young and
perfect body.
"She died of heart failure" he re-
marked. very simply. Probably the
animal who caused the police such
fright and trouble gained access to the
room, and the sight and shock were
too much for her patiently fragile con-
stitutiOn to Withstand. Remember.
that this apparition has brought on
Mrs. 'Desterle a stroke of paralysis,
and may result in the permanent de-
rangement of her mind.
Il have wired Doubleday, Franz &
Co., in San Francisco" he continued
Their reply just received is that they
know but little about Cerisse Wayne
They declare that they knew her as
Mrs Wayne. Also that for five
years past $4,000 a month has been de-
posted to her credit with them. Parke
& Gray, solicitors, Of London, Eng
land, have handled the drafts sent to
the San Francisco bankers. Mrs.
Wayne drew on this amount so freely
that at times her balance was practi-
cally nothing, and frequently her ac-
count showed a small overdraft For
the past several months. however. her
demands on the account have been
very slight. Last month $4,000 was
sent for her credit, and her present
balance is approximately $4,000. Be
sides this they have a casket, said to
contain almost priceless jewels. that
belong to her. A copy of a photograph
OF Mrs. Wayne, which they have in
their possession, has been forwarded,
and Henry Franz, one of the junior
members of the firm, is coming East to
view the body. They report they have
cared for her mail for some time past
and during this time she has had it
forwarded to nearly every imaginable
point, both in this country and abroad
In her handbag there was nearly $3.50
and nothing to indicate that she had
been mentally depressed or was in poor
health. Over-indulgence in cigarettes
may have Induly excited her mind. 1t
Is patent that she read and smoked till
she grew drowsy and then lightly
tossed her book aside Possibly she
Weakened from some quiet dream to be-
hold that creature in the room, and
died of fright. There was one second
of intense horror and all was over"
How did hat-that-that-get in
doctor?" interrupted the still disheveI-
ed Doherty.
Don't you know that there's no place
on the front of this. nor any other
buildin' in the block where a cat could
crawl up for a footin'? Amt they all
smooth sandstone, worn as slick as me
last years coat. And wasn't both of
the windows there closed and locked
in the bargain, and no chimney in the
room? Maybe the creature killed the
pritty little girl after it got in al
right, but how did it get in? Here's
another thing. Will We look at that
bed? Now there's been two people
sleeping in that bed. sir. one of them
far heavier and bigger than the Door
little girl you've just been inquesting
over. And here, now, is a cigarette
stub that's different from the others
stronger. can't you see?"
The policeman held out the stub in
question. and it was passed wonder
ingly from hand to hand, and later
marked exhibit "a"
Entrance might have been effected
from the hail." said the Coroner with
a puzzled frown.
so? Wasn't the door bolted from
the inside? Can't you see where It
was broke to get in?" retorted Do
herty.
"Ah. someone was inside and rush.
ed out when Mrs. Desterle opened the
door," muttered Larry Morris of the
Times"
Everybody in the room directed his
attention to the corner where the
newspaper folk were sitting There
were eight or ten men in the little
group and one woman, a fair, calm
eyed girl. Betty Lancey of the In
quirer." Betty was barely %. one of
those tall, athletic. wholesome girls
who demand classification in the men
tai menu as well-cooked oatmeal with
rich cream. country honey, baked
apples or new milk. Larry Morris
was very much in love with Betty
out he didn't know it and neither did
she.
Pierre Desterle denied Larry Nor
ris' suggestion. His wife Annie Des-
terle could not come as a Witness r.
corroborate his statement. Ravfns
and shrieking they had carried her of,
to the hospital hours before. pierre
for his wife. and himself, told all he
knew of their unfortunate boarder.
She came Monday night" uuavered
the little black skinned fellow "Sbe
was all dressed in green. She had thf
prettiest eyes you ever saw. they were
Just like those of hurt baby. So man,
vlolets were pinned on her breast VOW
nave thought 'twould have wearied he,
TO carry them. She brought no trunks
only the green bag there. Said sh.
wanted room and board for two week,
and would pay well for them. Ami,
TOOK her because of what she paid. ant
because she was so pretty. She slep
iate mornings and Annie was going t,
make her move tomorrow because sh,
slept SO late it made breakfast dra
aiohe TIL noon. The women In tn,
mouse didn't like Miss Wayne. The,
SAID she painted her face and smoke,
cisarettes The men made soft eve
at ner and the woman got tealous
annie said she had awful f1ne th,ny
NyRIl