The Red Cloud chief., 1910-06-02
CHAPTER lV.-Continued.

HSnCCldlIy "Ilul'
Especially since Jack Bailey and
Arnold Armstrong were notoriously
bad friends. II was Bailey who got
Arnold into trouble last spring
something about the bank. And then,
too"
Go on" l said. III there Is any.
thing more, ought to know
There's nothing more he said
evasively. There's Just one thing we
may bank on. Miss lnnes. Any court
In the country will acquit man who
kills an intruder in his house at
night. II Ialsey-"
why, you don't think IIalsey did
IT," | exclaimed. There was a queer
feeling of physical nausea coming
over me.
NO, no, not at ALL" he said with
forced cheerfulncss. Come, Miss In.
nes, you're a ghost of yourself, and
| am going to help you upstairs and
call your maid. This has been too
much for you"
About six o'clock Gertrude came I'm.
She was fully dressed. and | sat up
neryously.
Poor Aunty" she said. "What a
shocking night you have had!' She
came over and sat down on the bed
and saw she looked very tired and
worn.
"Is there anything new?' | asked
anXously.
Nothing. The car Is gone, but War.
ncr'--he is the chauffcur-"Warner
Is at the lodge and knows nothing
about IT,"
We'll" I said. "if | ever get my
hands on Halsey Innes l shall not let
go until have told him few things.
When we get this cleared up, ! am
going back TO the city to be quiet.
One more night like the last two will
end me. Tho peace Of tho country
fidd'esticks!"
Whereupon | told Gertrude of the
noises the night before, and the figure
on the veranda in the east wing. AS
an alterthought l brought out the
pearl cufflink.
Il have no doubt now" said, that
1t was Arnold Armstrong the night
before last, too. He had key, no
doubt, but why he should steal into
his fathers house | cannot imagine
He could have come with my permis.
sion easily enough. Anyhow. whoever
it was that night left this little sou.
venir'
Gertrude took one look at the cuff.
link and went as white as the pearls
In it; she clutched Mt the foot of the
bed and stood staring. AS for me,
was quite as astonished as she was.
where dld-you-fnd III" she
asked finally, with a desperate effort
at calm. And while | told her she
stood looking out of the window with
look could not fathom on her face.
1t was relief when Mrs. Watson
tapped at the door and brought me
some tea and toast. The cook was In
bed, completely demoralized, she re.
ported, and Liddy. brave with the day.
light, was looking for footprints around
the house. Mrs Watson herself was
wreck; she was blue.white around
the lips, and she had one hand tied
up She said she had fallen down
stairs in her excitement. II was natur
AL of course, that the thing would
shock her, having been the Arm
strongs' housckeeper for several years
and knowing Mr.. Arnold well.
Gertrude had slipped out during my
talk with Mrs Watson, and | dressed
and went downstairs. The billiard
and card rooms were locked until the
coroner and the detectives got there
and the men from the club had gone
back for more conventional clothing
could hear Thomas in the pantr,
alternately wailing for Mr.. Arnold
as he called him, and citing tn,
tokens that had precursed the murder
The house seemed to choke me. and
slipping a shawl around me, | wen
ont on the drive. At the corner b.
the east wing | met Liddy! Her skirt
were draggled with dew to her knee
and her hair was stil in crimps.
GO right in and change Won
clothes ! said sharply. You're
sight, and at your age."
She had golf stick in her hant
ana she said she had found il on III
lawn. There was nothing unusua
about IL, but IL occurred to me that
golf stick with metal end Nigh
have been the object that had scratch
ed the stairs near the cardroom.
took II from her, and sent her up fc
dry garments. Her daylight courae
and self-importance, and her shuC
dering delight in the mystery, irr
tated me beyond words. After lie
her | made a circuit of the buildin
Nothing seemed to be disturbed; II
house looked az calm and peaceful
the morning sun as 1t had the day