The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1910-10-07
TIT CIRCULAR


while Halsey and Gertrude fol-
lowed.
Il suppose / shall have to notify the
Armstrong;" | said. They will know
if Thomas had any people and how
to reach them. OF course, | expect to
defray the expenses of the funeral, but
his relatives must be found. What do
you think frightened him, MI. jamie
SOM"
1T is hard to say" he replied SLOW
ly, but | think we may be certain it
was fright, and that he was hiding
from something. l 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 darkies
seldom have a penny. Well-what
Thomas knew will be buried with
him."
With the death of Thomas, / felt
that a climax had come in affairs at
Sunnyside. The night that followed
was quiet enough. Halsey watched
at the foot of the staircase, and a COM
plicated system of bolts on the other
doors seemed to be effectual.
Once in the night / Weakened and
thought 1 heard the tapping again.
But all was quiet, and | had reached
the stage where | refused to be dis
turbed for minor occurrences.
The Armstrong; were notified Of
Thomas death, and | had my first in
terview with DIR. Walker as a result.
He came up early the next morning,
Just as we finished breakfast, in a pro-
fessional looking car with a black
hood.
Il must make a 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-
CURED collecting before he went on.
My professional duties are urgent
and long neglected, and"-a fall to the
everyday manner-"something must
be done about that body"
Yes l said, sitting on the edge of
my chair. Il 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. las 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, / think. Thomas
always had a bad heart"
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
nave been misinformed," I replied.
WHAT, nc ghost, nc 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.
DIR. Walker" 1 said tartly, 81 fai
to see any humor in the situation
Since | came here, one man has beer
shot. and another one has died from
shock. There have been intruders il
the house, and strange noises. If tha'
is funny, there is something wrong
with my sense of humor."
You miss the point" be said, still
good naturally. The thing that il
funny to me is that you insist on re
manning here, under the circums
tances. / should think nothing woult
keep you"
You are mistaken. Everything tina
occurs only confirms my resolution Il
stay until the mystery is cleared"
81 have a message for you, Mis-
Innes," he said, rising at last. Mrs
Armstrong asked me to thank you 70
your kindness to Louise, whose within
occurring at the time it did, put he
to great Inconvenience. Also-an'
this is a delicate matter-she aske'
me to appeal to your natural SYN
pathy for her, at this time, and to as
! you if you will not reconsider your dt
eision about the house. Sunnyside j
her home; she loves it dearly, an
just now she wishes to retire here 70
quiet and peace"
: she must have had a change c
heart" i said, u~ngraciously enough
Louise told me her mother despise
the place. Besides, this is no plac
{ for quiet and peace just now. An,
7 how, doctor, while don't care
, force an issue, ] shall certainly n
, main here, for a time at least"
For how long?" he asked.
MY lease is for six months. / sha
stay until some explanation is foun
for certain things. My W family
implicated now, and / shall do ever.
{ thing to clear the mystery of Arnol
Ar~mtsrong's murder"
: The doctor stood looking down, slaI
{ ping his gloves thoughtfully agains
the palm of a well1ooked-after han,
"You say there have been intrudel