The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-26
CHAPTER TX.
THE MorIoNLEss FIGURE.

 "THE coat is here. too,'' whis
 pered Sweetwater after {
 moment of considerate si
 lence. ''We had better locl it now, had we not, till you make uI your mind what to do with this con elusive bit of evidenceT'
 'Yes, lock it. Pm not quite myself Eweetwater. shall never survive the strain if''- He turned away.
 Sweetwater carefully returned the hat to its peg. turned tbe key in the door and softly followed his superior back into the dining room and thence to their former retreat.
 'T can see that it's likely to be q 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 go onY
 "Go onY
 'tFollowing up the clews which you have yourself given me? I've only finished with one; there's another'- "The bottles?"
 "Yes, the bottles. I believe that I shah 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 8 local detec- tive"
 'Sweetwater, we have but one duty ito 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 own against the facts which have brought this recreant lover to book. You see-oh, I wish that poor girl could get easew he impetuously cried as "Ldla, Lilaw rang again through the house.
 "She is the only one who is wholly innocent in thss whole business. Con- sider her at every point. Her life is Invaluable to every one concerned. But she must not be reused to the mct-not yet. Nor must he be startled either; you know whom I mean. Quiet does it, Sweetwater. Quiet and a seeming deference to his wishes as the present head of the house."
 "Is the place his? Has Miss Cum berland made will?" Her will will be read tomorrow For tonight Arthur Cumberland's po- sition here is the position of master T will respect it. sir, up to all req Eonable bounds. don't think he med itates giving any trouble. He's not at all impressed by our presence. All he seems to care about is what his sister may be led to say in her de hrium."
 That's how you look at it?" The coroner's tone was one of gloom. Then after moment of silence: You may call my carriage. Sweetwater. I 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 to search the house perhaps. It has al ready been done in a general way" 'I wish to do it thoroughly"
 The coroner sighed.
 'T should be wrong to stand in your way Get your warrant ana 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 seen Mir. Clifton. He found it empty and was soon told by Hexford that the lawyer had left. He followed Hex