The Montgomery tribune., 1910-11-25
CHAPTER xxIV.-contlnued.


CHAPTER xxIV.--contlnued.
Hotchkiss felt certain that It had
been Sullivan, but was not so sure.
Why would he have crawled like
thief into his own house? II he had
crossed the park, as seemed probable,
when we did. he had not made any
attempt to use the knocker. gave 1t
up finally, and made an effort to con-
ciliate the young woman in the tower.
We had heard no sound since our
spectacular entrance into her room.
] was distinctly uncomfortable, as
alone this time, climbed to the tower
staircase. Reasoning from before,
she would probably. throw chair at
me. stopped at the foot of the stair
case and called.
Hello up there,".I I said, in as de-
bonnair manner as could summon.
NGood morning. VIE gent es bel
ihnen?"
No reply.
bon jour, mademoiselle," I tried
again. This time there was move
ment of some sort from above, but
nothing fell on me.
1--we want to apologize for rous-
ing you so--er-unexpectedly this
morning" went on. "The fact is, we
wanted to talk to you, and you-you
were hard to waken. We are travel
ers, lost in your mountains, and we
crave breakfast and an audience"
She came to the door then. could
feel that she was investigating the top
of my head from above. "Is Mr.. Sui
Hvan with your" she asked. 1t was
the first word from her, and she was
not sure of her voice.
mo. We are alone. II you will
come down and look at us you will
find US two perfectly harmless people,
whose horse-curses on him-depart-
ed without leave last night and left
US at your gate"
She relaxed somewhat then and
came down step or two. II was
afraid had killed somebody" she
said. 1.-The housekeeper left yester
day, and the other maids went with
her"
When she saw that was com
paratively young and lacked the ear
marks of the highwayman, she was
greatly relieved. She was inclined tc
Iight shy of Hotchkiss, however, fol-
some reason. She gave us breakfast
of a sort, for there was little in the
house, and afterward we telephoned
Ito the town for a vehicle. While
lHotchkiss examined scratches and re
placed the Bokhara rug. engaged
Jennie in conversation.
"Can you tell me-" asked, who ii
managing the estate since Mrs. Cur
Ills was killed."
mo one," she returned shortly.
"Has--any member Of the family
been here since the accident?"
..No, sir. There was only the two
and some think Mr.. Sullivan was
killed as well as his sister"
"You don't?"
mo-" with conviction.
"Why?'
She wheeled on me with quick sus
picion.
"Are you detective" she de
manded. u
!, NO"
"You told him to say you repre-
eented the law"
II am a lawyer. Some of them mis-
represent the law, but f."
She broke in impatiently.
"a sheriff's officer?"
.No. Look here. Jennie; am al
that should be. You'll have to be
lieye that And I'm in bad position
through no fault of my own. wan
YOU to answer some questions. II yol
viii help me, ]. will do what can TO
YOU. Do you live near here?"
Her chin quivered. 1t was the frs
sign Of weakness she had shown.
"My home is In Pittsburg." she saic
'.and I haven't enough money to ge
there. They hadn't paid my wages TO
two months. They don't pay any
body"
Very well" / returned. I'll sem
you back to Pittsburg, Pullman In
cluded, If you will tell me some thing
want to know
She agreed eagerly. Outside tn
window Hotchkiss was bending ovel
examining footprints In the drive.
NOW" / began, there has been
Miss West staying here?"
YES"
eMr, sullivan was attentive 7
her?'
"Yes. She was the granddaughte
% wealthy man In Pittsburg. IA
~ "a n n Va Y * KS IN ~ I1 81 81 1t vs. q