Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-05-27
The House
of the
Whispering
Pines
By ANNA KATHARINE GREEN
Copyright, 1910. by Anna Katharine
RohIfs
(Contlnued.)
CHAPTER *.

1t now, had we not, TIL you make up
your mind what to do with this con-
elusive bit Of evideneeT'
eyes, lock it. I'm not quite myself,
Sweetwater. 1 shall never survive the
strain if He turned away.
Sweetwater carefully returned the
hat to its peg, turned the key In the
door and softly followed his superior
back into the dining room and thence
to their former retreat.
81 can see that It's likely to be a
dreadful business" he yentured to re-
mark as the two stood face to face
again. But we've no choice. Facts
are facts. and we've got to make the
best Of them. You me to 60
onr'
go onT"
Following up the clews which you
have yourself given me? I've only
finished with one; there's another
'The bottles"
"Yes, the bottles. ! believe that
shall not fail there If you'll give me
a little time. I'm q stranger in town.
you remember, and cannot be expect
ed to move as fast as a local detec-
tive"
"Sweetwater, we have but one duty
to follow both clews as far as they
will take us. Only be careful. Re
member the evidence against Rane-
lagh. You VIII have to forge an ex-
ceedingly strong chain to hold your
own against the facts which have
brought this recreant lover to book.
You see-oh, I wish that poor girl
could get easel" he impetuously cried
as LILA, Llai" rang again through
the house.
"She Is the only one who Is wholly
innocent In this whole business. Con.
slider her at every point Her life Is
Invaluable to every one concerned
But she must not be reused to tbs
fact-not yet. Nor must he be startled
either; you know whom I mean. Quiet
does 1t, Sweetwater. Quiet and a
seeming Difference to his wishes as
the present head OF the house"
as the place hisf Has Miss Cum
berland made a WIFI"
"Her will VIII be read tomorrow
For tonight Arthur Cumberiand's po-
sition here is the position of a MASTER
81 will respect 1t, sir, I'D to all rea-
sonable bounds. l don't think he med
itates giving any trouble. He's not
at all impressed by u presence. AL
be seems to care about is what his
sister may be led to say in her de
lirium."
That's how you look at itT The
~coroner's toni was n of gloom. Then
after q moment of silence: You may
call my carriage, Sweetwater. l can
do nothing further here today"
Sweetwater threw open the door, but
his wistful look did not escape the
older mans eye
You're not ready to go? Wish tic
search the house perhaps 1t has al
ready been done in a general way"
81 wish to do it thoroughly"
The coroner sighed.
II should be wrong to stand in your
way. Get your warrant and the house
is yours. But remember the sick girl"
That's why I wish to do the job
myself"
You're a good fellow, Sweetwater.
The keys tell the tale-the keys and
the hat. If the former had been left
in the clubhouse and the latter found
without the mark set on it by the
mechanics wife Ranelagh's chances
would look as slim today as they did
Immediately after the event. But with
things as they are he may well rest
easily tonight. The clouds are lifting
for him"
The coroner gone, Sweetwater made
his way to the room where he had last
seer Mr.. Clifton. He found 1t empty
and was soon told by He1ford that the
lawyer had left. He followed Hex
ford upstairs.
I'D like to see the girl and I'd like
to see the brother when he thought no
n was watching him." he said
81 wonder what she meant by that
wild cry Of Tear it open! See IL her
heart is there Tear what open-the
coffin?" said Hexford.
"Of course. What else could she
have meant?"
"WeI, deirium is a queer thing;
makes a fellow feel creepy all over. ]
don't reckon on my nights here"
"Hexford. help me to a peep, I've
got a difficult job before me, and
need all the aid l a get"
"Oh, there's, no trouble about that
Walk boldly along: be won't notice.
HE won't notice"
mo; he notices nothing but what
| comes from the sickroom." He lis
tens all the time"
"Does the nurse know thisfs
1.-THE nurse is a puZzler-"
"How sol"
"Half nurse and half But go SET
for yourself. Here's a package to taxi
in-medicine from the drug store. Tel
| her there was no n else to bring j
| up. She'll show no surprise"
| Muttering his thanks, Sweetwate
seized the proffered package and has
| tened with 1t down the hall. He hat
been as far as the turn before, bu
now he passed the turn to find, jus
as be expected, a closed door on tn
left and an open alcove on the right
: r o Miss Cumberland