The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1910-06-09

= The +
RED MOUSE
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A Mystery Romance
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By WILLIAM HAMILTON
OSBORNE
L.. r..
III be only nad half a million"
Copyright. 1909. by Dodd. Mead a Co.
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ne OIneT SnOTleu.
ITS well he hasn't-well he never
had II be had half a million be
wouldn't be running for United States
senator. Just like rs not he'd be- play
ing golf or running u devil wagon.
The three visitors had been listeners
20 this conversation IN silence. but
Shirley could contain herself no longer.
said snperingly:
Nothing but his honesty to back
him. Why. lynching's too good for
him"
And. as though her utterance of the
phrase were the prosecutors cue. Muir
gatroyd sauntered into the room. He
looked as fresh and unconcerned as
though he did not know thar blood
less battle was being fought for him
down at the state capitol-a close bat
tie NJ that.
Challoner started nervously. BILLY.
r.
want to see mep' he inquired suave-
ly.
YES" faltered Challoner, "alone.
please
Murgatroyd took from his drawer a
bundle Of papers and handed It to
AIxley. saying:
Look up that excise violation right
away. And, McGratb." he continued.
there are three witnesses In the lan-
nenbaum case that we've got TO have.
Find them by o'clock. You may
60"
Challoner advanced quickly toward
the desk.
Prosecutor Murgatroyd." he began,
gulping. Its up 10 you to clear me OF
that Hargraves affair. I'm not the
murderer OF Hnrgravesr'
Miriam and Shirley had risen.
Murgatroyd returned calmly:
81 know It."
"You know it, gasped the three Wis.,
were grouped around the prosecutors
desk.
Yes" Murgatroyd unused. IL have
known 1t for almost FIVE years. You
must have known IL too"
mot until a few hours ago." Challo-
ner quickly informed him.
'You don't say So" was Murga-
troyds answer. and presently he add
ed. though perhaps it is not so very
surprising"
>Challoner's eyes narrowed. Sudden
iy he said:
Somebody killed Hargraves. Who
did it?"
The prosecutor looked at the man in
credulously.
do you mean 10 tell me that. though
you know now that you didn't kill
Hargraves, that you don't know who
did kill him"
I'm here TO find out"
"Why, thunderation- calculated Muir
gatroyd and. looking the other square
ly in the eyes. went on: IL knew hat
everybody didn't know. but | Thought
you knew loug ago that II was pem-
mican Of Cradlebaugh's who did It,"
"Pemmican." repeated Challoner as
If TO himself, was the only man who
knew, and he's dead"
"Yes," assented Murgatroyd. "he kill
ed himself in jail. He confessed just
before the court OF appeals filed its
opinion Of afiirmance in your case. lie
had stolen $4,000 from Cradlebaugh's
and had been threatened with prose-
cution for ii. He had to replace the
money. The opportunity came. and he
seized II. He knew that you hated
Hargraves. knew that there was mo-
tive on your part. knew that you shot
and missed. knew that Hargraves had
lot Of money on his person, and he set
out TO get it, Ii was safe. He got II.
and Hargraves. too: shot him dead
with another gun after you missed
him and paid back the money TO Cra-
dlebaugh's."
Miriam burst out:
"And you have known this for
yearsT
YES" he told her quietly. his eyes
wandering over Miriam's face; but
it's plain to me now that you haven't
known it,"
How should we?" protested Chal-
lOner.
Murgatroyd frowned; then he an
swered:
How? Because | advised your coun-
sci. Thorne. and he was present when
the order releasing you was signed.
1t was mis- duty. not mine, to communi-
cate with you
"Thorne-Thorne knew" cried Miri-
am.
"And he never told u.s." came finally
from Challoner's lips.
POSSIBLY he didn't dare" explain.
ed Murgatroyd, with an enigmatical
smile. Just at that time Thorne and
Thorne's crowd held the public in the
hollow Of their hands So perhaps" !"
be added sarcastically, 'the news
about Pemmican was suppresSed for
the public good
"And you spoke up Shirley. her
eyes fashing but got no further, for
Murgatroyd went on addressing Chal-
loner.
81 had no trouble then, Of course. in
setting you free"