The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1910-08-12
CHAPTER vII,.-continued.


CHAPTER vlli.-continued.
Undoubtedly. Why, what could 1t
be but fight? Miss lines, let me re-
construct that evening, as I 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-Gertrude's story" 1 STAN
mered.
miss Gertrude only brought for
ward her explanation the following
morning. I do not believe it, Miss
lines. 1t is the story of loving and
ingenious woman"
'And-this thing tonight"
"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 woman you saw
that night through the window, we
might start with other premises. Or
Mr.. lines explanation may turn us
in new direction. 1t is possible that
he shot Arnold Armstrong as burg
lar and then fed, frightened at what
he had done. In any case, however,
I 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. It was three when the shot
was fred"
I leaned back bewildered 1t seemed
to me that the evening had been full
of significant happenings, had l 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?
It was late when Mr.. Jameson
finally got up to go. went with him
to the door, and together we stood
looking out over the valley Below
lay the village of Casanova, with it's
Old World houses, it's blossoming
trees and it's peace. Above ON the hill
across the valley were the lights of
the Greenwood club. 1t was even pos
sible to see the curving row of paral-
lei lights that marked the carriage
road. Rumors that had heard about
the club came back-of drinking, of
high play, and once, year ago, of a
suicide under those very lights.
Mr.. Jameson left, taking short
cut to the village, and I still stood
there. 1t must have been after II,
and the monotonous tick Of the big
clock on the stairs behind me was the
only sound. Then was conscious
that some one was running up the
drive. In minute woman darted
into the area of light made by the
open door. and caught me by the arm.
1t was Rosie-Rosie in state of col
lapse from terror, and, not the least
important. clutching one of my Coal
port plates and silver spoon.
She stood staring into the darkness
behind. still holding the plate. I got
her into the house and secured the |
plate; then stood and looked down
ct her where she crouched trembling.
ly against the doorway.
WELL" I asked; didn't your young
man enjoy his meal?"
She couldn't speak. She looked at
the spoon she still heidi wasn't SO /
anxious about It; thank Heaven. It
wouldn't chip-and then she stared at
me.
Il appreciate your desire to have
everything nice tor him. ] went on,
"but the next time, you might take
the Limoges china. It's more easily
duplicated and less expensive"
I Il haven't young man-not here."
She had got her breath now, as I had
guessed she would. I'll have been
chased by q thief, Miss Innes.''
did he chase you out Of the house
and back again I. / asked. 4 1
Then Rosie began ID cry II.
lentty, but noisily, hysterically. n
STOPPED her By giving her ! good I
shake.