Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-19
CHAPTER III.
An ANONYMOUS Letter.

There was q pause when the only sound
was the voices of q trio Of men across
the room. Then Milbrath said. slowly:
You argued once. I remember. that the
man who did that deed was older or less
vigorous than l. Do you mind telling
me how you reached that conclusion?"
by deduction"
Ibid not the dust stains on the back
OF the trouser-legs and at the bottom
your"
4 confess that had forgotten that
point"
1T was not developed. but II was a fact
testified to. What could IL mean but that
Mr.. Somhers' body was dragged? And
the curious tear on the back OF the coat
And the piece Of cloth that was found
couch? Did they not show that the body
had been lifted-by its armpits. presum-
Eably-from the floor to the couch?"
by George cried Milbrath. "You
enough to lift the body and carry it?'
Precisely. Would an able-bodied young
man like you pull a body. when you
could lift 1t easily and carry II noiseless-
ly and quickly?"
A new Thought seemed to come to Mil
brath and his face lost it's sudden glow.
IF the crime were not premeditated,
if" he began and hesitated. is II not
possible that the assassin was strong
but SO startled by his deed as to become
weak for the moment?'
Possible, but improbable. for there is
the abnormal strength which excitement
or fear gives
Mr.. Milbrath rose He seemed sudden
ly tired. He looked at his watch again.
this time comprehendingly.
II must leave you IL l can be or no as
sistance just now. for / wish TO get back
to the Oriental tonight" he said. You
sound logical, Mr.. Bliss, and, as you can
believe. there is no one more anxious for
your success than /. II you are sue
cessful you may count on me to do as
well by you as that old gentleman. No.
by George. I'll go him one better. ]
will give you forty thousand dollars. But
be certain Of your man before you hold
him. / have found. you see. how hollow
a thing is circumstantial evidence"
accompanied Mr.. Milbrath to the
street door. but Kilbourne. after q list
less handshake with the young man. re-
turned to his chair. When I returned
he appeared to be asleep.
will you have a game OF billiards
now" asked. rapping him on the Shout
der. for 1 knew that he was awake.
mo; home and bed for me-" with a
yawn. I'm insufferably weary with lis
tening to all your twaddle-"
Thank you. / hope you will feel more
agreeable in the morning. Was IL lie
oysters in August or the watermelon"
"Ah. Clevah lad" and Kilbourne eyed
me with q grin that asked pardon for his
words. 80 deuced clevah. No. IL Is
this protege OF yours who has given me
the collie
You don't like him.
"Quite true. but not to like people is no
uncommon feature in me. you'll admit"
BE reasonable. In plain. language.
what do you think Of Harrison Milbrath? p
"Oh. your estimate of him will pass"
"Just q big boy. saddened by bitter
experience for which he was blameiess?"
II guess you have 1t. though he knows
more that you want to know than he Is
willing 10 tell -
plicates him?''
Mo-"
Then give me your interest in this
case I'll get out of him what he with
held tonight and you will help me clear
his name"
Not IT,
Because you have taken one Of your
absurd and unaccountable dislikes to the
boy"
THAT may be the reason why his case
does not interest me. I've found. how
ever. that my absurd and unaccountable
dislikes' are pretty well founded. usu-
ally
.sOn intuition"
THAT is SUFFICIENT"
Not for q man OF your intellect"
LAS you like about that. II is better.
nevertheless. for that young man and me
to remain a good distance apart"
why" l asked. knowing full well
what the substance OF the answer would
be. for before then l had run up against
q similar phase of Murray Kilbourne's
contradictory nature.
.'Weii. Mr.. Milbrath and I are natural
antagonists. Conversationaily we should
get along amicably enough, but there Is
something In his life or in mine that will
make me want to knife him~before we