Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1910-06-29
CHAPTER VIll.-Continued.

"Undoubtedly Why, what could 1t
be but fight? Miss lines, let me re-
construct that evening, as 1 see it.
Bailey and Armstrong had quarreled
at the club. l learned this to-day.
Your nephew brought Bailey over
Prompted by jealous, insane fury,
Armstrong followed, coming across by
the path. He entered the billiard
room wing-perhaps rapping, and be-
ing admitted by your nephew. Just
inside he was shot, by some one on
the circular staircase. The shot fired,
your nephew and Bailey left the house
at once, going toward the automobile
house. They left by the lower road,
which prevented them being heard,
and when you and Miss Gertrude got
downstairs everything was quiet"
"But-Gertrudes story" 1 STAN
mered.
Miss Gertrude only brought for
ward her explanation the following
morning. | do not believe it, Miss
Innes. 1t is the story of loving and
ingenious woman"
"And-thiS thing to-nlght"
MAY upset my whole view OF the
case. We must give the benefit of
every doubt after all. We may, for
instance, come back to the figure on
the porch; If it was a woman you saw
that night through the window. we
might start with other premises. Or
Mr.. lines explanation may turn US
in a new direction. 1t is possible that
he shot Arnold Armstrong as a burg
lar and then fed, frightened at what
he had done. In any case, however,
feel confident that the body was
here when he left. Mr.. Armstrong
left the club ostensibly for a moon
light saunter about half after eleven
o'clock. 1t was three when the shot
was fired"
I leaned back bewildered. 1t seemed
10 me that the evening had been full
of significant happenings, had I only
held the key. Had Gertrude been the
fugitive in the clothes chute? Who
was the man on the drive near the
lodge and whose gOld-mounted dress
ing bag had | seen in the lodge sitting
room?
Il was late when Mr. Jameson
finally got up TO go ! went with him
20 the door and together we stood
ioo&ing out over the valley. Below
lay ,he village of Casanova, with its
= p;d World houses, its blessoming
trees and its peace. Above on the hill
across The valley were the lights of
IN" i.ronwood club 1t was even pos
site 30 see the curving row of paral-
let igh;s that marked the carriage
cd Dunors that had heard about
'hr 'hb came back-of drinking. of
a..' piHy, and once, year ago. of a
-Hj,j'e 1ndcr those very lights.
~ 'amiosou lett. taking a short
est $50 the village, and | still stood
fh,'r Ii Uust have been after IL,
t.i 81" " Crotouous tick of the big
c,, o.. he stairs behind me was the
ot.y g. nd. Then | was conscious
thN svs.e one was running up the
Iv'. IN a minute a woman darted
mo lhe area OF light made by the
oucr door. aud caught me by the arm
!, was Bosie-Eosie in state OF col
lapse t'Jm terror. and, not the least
All i'l .t'tt, C.HlCAAlS one Oh my coal
port plates aud silver spoon
She stood staring in;o the darkness.
behind, still holding the plate. | go
her into the house and secured the
plate; then stood and looked dowr
at her where she crouched trembling
~ against the doorway.
Well" l asked. didn't your youn.
man enjoy his meal?"
She couldn't speak. She looked a
the spoon she still heidi wasn't 5,
anxious about it: thank Heaven /
wouldn't chip-and then she stared a
me.
Il appreciate your desire TO hav,
everything nice for him. went on
'but the next time. you might TAX
the Limoges china. It's more easil,
duplicated and less expensive"
Il haven't young man-not here.
She had got her breath now. as ha,
guessed she would. Il have beel
chased by thief, Miss Innes."
did he chase you out of the hous
and back again." l asked.
Then Rosie began to cry-not 81
lently. but noisily. Historically.
stopped her by giving her goo
shake.