Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-05-26
CHAPTER XVI.

"Etwald!" repeated Meg, thoughtful
ly. rs he not the doctor of whom you
have made so great friend?"
Yes. I took a viper to my bosom,
and it stung me-" replied Jen, who, in
his excitement, was pacing backward
and forward with hasty steps. But 1
shall be even with him. In some way
or another l believe that it is possible
to bring home to him this triple crime
Etwald prophesied to my poor lad, IN
his charlatan way that if he welded
Miss Dallas, or even announced his en-
gagement with her, his fate would be
one of life in DEATH"
What did that mean?"
Mean? Death without the addition
of life. That word was brought in sole
ly to render the prophecy-if it may
be called so-confusing. Etwald was
in love with Miss Dallas. He found in
Maurice a formidable rival He warn
ed him by his pretended prophecy that
he should slay him if he persisted in
standing in his path. Maurice an
nounced his engagement upon the very
day when Etwald went to pay his ad-
dresses to the girl. From that moment
he doomed Maurice to death. Yes, 1
truly believe that such was his design,
and that he offered to buy the devil
stick in order to carry out his criminal
intention"
|. Did he ask to buy the devil-stick?"
demanded Meg, in surprise.
Twice; and both times l refused 10
part with it. Failing to get it honest
ly he stole it! You heard what Bat
tersea confessed, that he had taken a
message from Etwald to Dido about the
devil-stick Well, this doctor has some
mysterious influence over this negress
1 believe he melted her to steal the
devil-stick, and that by his directions
she filled it with a fresh poison"
But could she prepare the special
kind of poison required?"
"Assuredly. She confessed as much.
Her grandmother came from Ashantee,
where this devil stick is used for the
purpose of destroying people. Dido in
herits a knowledge of the family Sc
crets, and knows how to make this poi
son. It cures nervous headaches-that
is. the perfume of it does-and Dido
made some with which she saturated a
handkerchief to bind round the head
of her young mistress"
How do you know that the poisons
are the same?"
From the peculiar, sickly, heavy
odor." explained Jen, promptly; and
continued: We'll you can see the rest
for yourself. Dido filed that devil
stick with the poison" he pointed 10
the article on the table, some of it re-
mains in the wand yet. Etwald used
the devil stick to kill Maurice, and on
going back TO tell Dido of his success 1
have no doubt he dropped it inside the
gates Of Mrs. Dallas ground, where, as
YOU have heard, it was found by Bat
tersea. oh, it is as plain as day to
mel" cried Jen, vehemently. "Etwald
killed Maurice, and stole the devil
stick to accomplish the murder"
You have certainly made out
strong case against this man." said
Meg, after a pause, but It is all theory.
Your proofs?"
Z shall find them. David will help
me-"
Meg sighed, and. rising to her feet,
she drew her cloak round her tall form.
L shall help you also" she said, sad
ly. That is, If you will accept Of my
help"
"Assuredly. You loved Maurice"
ITO my cost, Major; but he did not
love me. This girl-this Miss Dallas"
she added. in a faltering voice. she