The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-06

NOTHldIl "aS Ol a strong, even dtn- letic build, and her whole physical makeup indicates strength and force of muscle. Your observation as to her apparently natural position is all right so far as it goes; but I have observed more carefully still, and I notice her evident physical strength, which was doubtless greatly aided by her stress of mental passion, and l aver that woman of her physique could have driven the blow removed the weapon, and, perhaps even then unconscious, have thrown her arm on the table as we now see it-''
 II thank you Doctor Leonard" said young Hills, for your patience with me. You are doubtless right, and I frankly admit you have made out a clear case. Miss Van Norman was. indeed. strong woman. I have been and I know her robust constitution. Knowing this, and appreciating your superior judgment as to the possi- bility of the 0eed, I am forced to ad- init your opinion is the true one. And yet-''
 Besides, Doctor Hills." went on Doctor Leonard. as the younger man kesitated, i've cannot, we must not, ignore the written paper. Why should we do so? Those who know, tell us Miss Van Norman wrote it. It is, therefore, her dying statement. Dare we disregard her last message, written in explanation of her other der at this suicide, we may shudder at it; but we may not doubt that it is a suicide. That paper is not merely evidence--it is testimony; it is in- controvertible proof
 Doctor Leonard ceased speaking, and sat silent because he had noth- ing to say.
 Doctor Hills also sat silent, because argue as they might, he could not feel convinced that the older physician was right. It was absurd, he well knew, but every time he glanced at the relaxed pose of that white right arm on the table, he felt more than go when the dagger entered the girls Breast.
 As the two men sat there, almost as motionless as the other still figure, both saw the knob of the door turn.
 They had closed the double doors leading to the hall, on the arrival of Doctor Leonard, and now the knob rf one of them was slowly and noise lessly turning round.
 A glance of recognition passed be- tween them but neither spoke or moved.
 A moment later, the knob having turned completely round, the door be- gan to open very slowly.
 Owing to the position of the two men, it was necessary for the door to be opened far enough to admit the intruder's head before they could be seen, and the doctors waited breath lessly to see who it might be who de- sired to come stealthily to the lib- rary that night.
 Doctor Hills, whose thoughts work ed quickly, mad already assumed it was Mrs. Markham, coming to gaze once more on her beloved mistress; but Doctor Leonard formulated no supposition and merely waited to see. At the edge of the door appeared first yellow pompadoar, followed by the wide-open blue eyes of Cicely Dupuy. Seeing the two men, she came nc further into the room, but gave sort of gasp, and pulled the door quickly shut again. In the still house. the two listeners could hear her footsteps crossing the hall, and ascending the stairs.
 Curious. that" murmured Doctor Hills. "If she wanted to look once more on Miss Van Norman's face | why so stealthy about it? And if she I didn't want that, what did she
 want?''
 'I don't know,'' rejoined Doctor Leonard; "but I see nothing suspici | ous about it. Doubtless, she did come ! for last glance alone at Miss Van Norman, hut, seeing us here, didn', care to enter
 l But she gave strange little shud- dering grasp, as if frightened" Natural excitement at the strange
 and awful conditions now present.
 "Yes, no doubt Doctor Hills spoke a bit impatiently. The phleg-
 matic attitude of his colleague jarreG | on his own cverwrought nerves. and | he rose and walked about the room
 DOW and then stopping to scrutinize
 anew the victim of the cruel dagger l At last he stood still, across the
 able from her, but looking at Doctor | Leouard.
 l 'I have no suggestion to make" he
 said slowly. 'I have no theory tc ! offer. but I ahm firmly convinced that ! Madeleine Van Norman did not strike
 the blow that took away her life Perhaps this is more a feeling or ar | intuition than a logical conviction ! h,,t-' He heSitated and 1ooE or