Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-12-07
CHAPTER TX.
THE MoTIoNLESs FIGURE.

CHAPTER TX.
THE MoTIoNLEss FIGURE.
II" HE coat is here. too" whis-
pered Sweetwater after a
moment of considerable ST.
lence. I'VE had better lock
it now, had we not. till you make up
your mind what to do with this con
elusive bit of evidence"
Eyes. lock it. Pm not quite myself.
Sweetwater., l shall eve 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.
II can see that it's likely to be Il
dreadful business" he ventured 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 mean ME to so
on?"
Go on?"
"Following up the clews which you
have yourself given me? I've only
finished with one; there's another
'The bottles?"
eyes, the bottles. I believe that l
shall not fail there if you'll give me
a little time. I'm a 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 will have to forge an ex-
ceedingly strong chain to hold your
OWL against the facts which have
brought this recreant lover to book.
You see-oh, l wish that poor girl
could get ease" he i%mpetuously cried
as Lila, Lila!" 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
ouL oIC AluSL hOI NC lOuScO W tlG
fact-not yet. Nor must he be startled
either; you know whom 1 mean. Quiet
does it, Sweetwater. Quiet and a
seeming Difference to his wishes as
the present head Of the house."
us the place his? Has Miss Cum.
berland made a will?"
"Her will will be read tomorrow
For tonight Arthur Cumberland's DO.
sition here is the position Of a MASTER
81 will respect it. sir, up to all rea.
sonable bounds. I don't think he med
itates giving any trouble. He's not
at all impressed by our presence. All
be seems to care about is what his
sister may be led to say in her de.
lirium.''
That's how you look at it," The
coroner's ton was one of gloom. Then
after a moment Of silence: You may
call my carriage. Sweetwater. 1 car
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 tc
search the house perhaps. 1t has al
ready been done in a general way"
8" wish to do it thoroughly"
The corone sighed.
II should be wrong to stand in yOul
way. Get your warrant and the house
is yours. But remember the sick girl
THAT'S why I wish to do the jot
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
seen Mr.. Clifton. BE found it empty
and was soon told by Hexford 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
one was watching him." he said.
II wonder what she meant by that
wild cry Of Tear it open! See II her
heart is there! Tear what open-the
cotin% said Hexford.
"Of course. What else could she
have meant?"
well. delirium is a queer thing;
makes a fellow feel creepy oil over. !
don't reckon on my nights here"
"Hexford. help me to a peep. I've
got q difficult Job before me. and |
need oil the aid 1 can set."