Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-08-26
CHAPTER XIV.

Hackleye greeted Johnsons rap with
4 nervous Come in," and exchanged a
wan smile for Johnny friendly saluta-
tion. He had been writing and the ia
BILE was strewn with piles of closely
written manuscript. Johnny's eyes fell
upon the pages, and riveted there. That
they were the work of Hackleye's pen
was evident, and
The writing was absolutely unlike
that in the letters found addressed to
Cerisse Wayne!
writing a book?" asked Johnny, as
he sat down with an effort to be COM
posed.
mo, merely some instructions as to
what l want done with my estate, in
case anything happens to me-" answ .r-
ed Hackleye. It's on account of the
children, you know"
"Don't let me bother you," politely
suggested Johnny, IF l interrupt I'll
CO."
Hackleye looked up. You're the first
one who's had any faith in me-" he an
swered, except Francis, LIE Malheu-
reux as you call him, her brother, you
know. Francis and have tried to save
her name"
Why" questioned Johnny, striking
while the iron was hot, why does LIE
Malheureux ever walk among men
thus veiled and concealed?"
Hackleye shot Johnny a gasp of ter
ror. "As you would not injure the gen.
tlest soul that ever walked" he plead
ed, try, never try to probe that mys-
terry. For your own peace of mind
leave LIE Malheureux alone"
DO you know Harcourt," abruptly
questioned the American.
mo, I've never met him." answered
Hackleye. Il never knew who the man
was that had stolen my wife's heart
from me. Cerisse was clever and she
covered her path well. l do know.
though, that towards the end she SEEM
ed to grow tired of him. He waxed
insanely jealous of her towards the
end. / think she was planning to leave
him at the last.
who do you think killed her?'
queried Johnny, "or do you know?"
Il did not lease that house at 94
passage way was found you know"
why, l saw you, saw you go through
the passage way myself, the morning
| after the murder" cried Johnny.
Yes. 1 know you did," admitted
Hackleye. That was my second visit
there. / was in there the morning that
they found the body. / had followed
LIE Malheureux there up through the
hole in the wall Mrs. Desterle saw me
there when she burst in the door, LIE
Mauheureux and l had gone up to see
Cerisse. LIE Malheureux had been there
| before. He had traced her out and told
me where she was. l went expectinu
to find the living woman-I found, dead
| clay. When the policeman and Mrs
Desterle's husband were carrying hel
back to her bedroom, / walked dowr
the stairs and away from the house
When l reached my lodgings, where
was stopping under an assumed name
l discovered had lost one of my gar.
ters. l went back that night and fore.
ed an entrance to the Flanders house
and climbed back into the bedroom
through the hole in the wall. l looked
for the garter but couldn't find it.
wanted it for sentiments sake, and ,ot
because / was afraid of any incrimina
ton that might result from it, as fol
years l have been practically unknown
In civilized countries. And" with 9
whimsical smile, Il was frightened
away, and in my haste to leave the
Flanders house, lose the mate to ii
out of my pocket"
And found it right by the door t,
the house that Hamley Hackleye was
supposed to have leased" said John
ny. Was the Man-Aperilla in the
room when you and LIE Malheureus
were?" came Johnny's final question.
i know Of no such animal" said
Hackleye. And now, Mr.. johnson.
am tired. The strain of months is tell
ing on me, do you mind If l beg to be
| excused?"
CHAPTER XIV