Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1910-10-06

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Armstrong;" / said. ''They will know
if Thomas had any people and how
to reach them. OF course, l expect to
defray the expenses of the funeral, but
his relatives must be found. What dc
you think frightened him, Mr. Jamie.
| son?'
1T is hard to say" he replied slow.
ly, but l think we may be certain it
was fright and that he was hiding
| from something. I am sorry in more
than one way; have always believed
that Thomas knew something, or sus-
pected something, that he would not
tell. Do you know how much money
there was in that WORKOUT wallet of
his? Nearly 500! Almost two
months wages-and yet those dar1ies
seldom have a penny Well-what
Thomas knew will be buried with
him"
With the death of Thomas, 1 felt
that climax had come in affairs at
Sunnyside. The night that followed
was quiet enough. Halsey watched
at the foot of the staircase, and COM
plicated system of bolts on the other
doors seemed to be effectual.
Once in the night Weakened and
thought | heard the tapping again.
But all was quiet and I had reached
the stage where I refused to be dis
turbed for minor occurrences.
The Armstrong; were notified of
Thomas death, and I had my first in
terview with DR.. Walker as a result.
He came up early the next morning,
just as we finished breakfast, in a pro-
fessional looking car with black
hood
I must make double excuse for
this early visit, Miss Innes,". he said
as he sat down. The chair was lower
than he expected, and his dignity re-
quired collecting before he went on.
MY professional duties are urgent
and long neglected, and''-a fall to the
everyday something must
be done about that body"
Yes" | said, sitting on the edge of
my chair 81 merely wished the ad-
dress of Thomas people You might
have telephoned if you were busy"
He smiled.
Il wished to see you about some
thing else" he said. Gas for Thomas,
it is Mrs. Armstrong; wish that you
allow her to attend to the expense.
About his relatives, have already
notified his brother, in the village. 1t
was heart disease, I think. Thomas
a1Jyovc sbo1 a l,oI l,oor+O
Heart disease and fright" l said,
still on the edge of my chair But the
doctor had no intention of leaving.
Il understand you have a ghost up
here, and that you have the house
filled with detectives to exercise it,"
he said.
For some reason I felt was being
pumped" as Halsey says. "You
have been misinformed," I replied.
WHAT, no ghost, no detectives!" he
said, still with his smile what a dis
appointment to the village!''
resented his attempt at playful
ness. 1t had been anything but a joke
to us.
'Dr. Walker" I said tartly, "I fail
to see any humor in the situation.
Since came here, one man has been
shot, and another one has died from
shock. There have been intruders in
the house, and strange noises. If that
is funny, there is something wrong
with my sense Of humor."
You miss the point" he said. still
good naturedly. The thing that is
funny to me is that you insist on re-
naming here, under the circums-
tances. I should think nothing would
keep, you"
You are mistaken. Everything that
occurs only confirms my resolution to
stay until the mystery is cleared"
have a message for you, Miss
lnnes,' he said, rising at last. Mrs.
Armstrong asked me to thank Won for
your kindness to Louise, whose whim.
occurring at the time it did, put her
to great inconvenience. Also-and
this IS delicate matter-she asked
me to appeal to your natural sym.
pathy for her, at this time and to ask
you if you will not reconsider your de.
cision about the house. Sunnyside is
her home; she loves it dearly, and
Just now she wishes to retire here for
quiet and peace.
She must have had a change Of
heart, | said, ungraciously enough.
Louise l4.li told me her mother despised
the place. Besides, this is no place
ior quiet and peace just now. Any.
now, doctor while 1 don't care to
force an issue, shall certainly re-
z. man am mere, for time at least
For how long?" he asked.
s MY lease is for SIX months. i shall
stay until some explanation is found
Tor certain things. MY own family is
implicated now, and shall do every
t nm 70 clear the mystery Of Arnold
Armtsrong's murder,
fhe doctor stood looking down. STAR
ping his gloves thoughtfully AGAINST
the palm8 Of Well-looked-after hand.
You say there have been &, !, -, 8 ..
IN the house?s he asked. aYon are
sure Of that. Miss Times :.