Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-02

AY 2, 1911.
reader will for she cares a great deal
more for the love story than for All
the crime and mystery put togetner-
bear with me, say, II ] hold back the
account of the terrible events that
came that night, to tell how beautiful
Margery looked as the lamplight fell
on her brown hair and pure profile,
and how the impulse came over me to
kiss her as she sat there; and how !
didn't, after all-poor gentle reader!-
and only stopped over and kissed the
pink palm Of her hand.
She didn't mind it; speaking as
nearly as possible from an impersonal
standpoint, doubt II she was even
surprised. You see, the ring was gone
and-it had only been an engagement
ring anyhow, and everybody knows
how binding they are! II
And then an angel with burning
sword came and scourged me out OF
my Eden. And the angel was Burton,
and the sword was dripping UNI
brella
II hate to take you out" he said.
"The bottoms dropped out Of the sky;
but want you to make little expert
ment with me-" He caught sight OF
Margery through the portieres, and
the imp of mischief in him prompted
his next speech. She said she must
see you," he said, very distinctly, and
leered at me.
Don't be an ass said angrily. Il
don't know that care to go out to-
night"
Lets go and take look at the
staircase you fellows have been talk
ing about" he said. Il don't believe
there Is a staircase there, except the
main one. / have bounded every poll
tician in the city into or out Of that
Joint, and have never heard of it..
l felt some hesitation about leaving
the house--and Margery-after the
events of the previous night. But
Margery had caught enough Of the con-
versation to be anxious to have me to
go, and when went in to consult her
she laughed at my fears.
lightning never strikes twice in the
same place." she said bravely. Il will
ask Katie to come down with me II !
am nervous, and shall wait up for the
family"
I went without enthusiasm. Mar,
gery's departure had been delayed for
a day only, and had counted on the
evening with her. In fact, had sent
the concert tickets to Edith with an
eye single to that idea. But Burton's
plan was right. It was in view OF what
we knew, to go overethe ground at the
White Cat again, and Saturday night,
with the place full of men, would be
a good time to look around, unnoticed'
Il don't hang so much to this stair:
case idea',' Burton said, "and | have
a good reason for it. l think we will
find it is the warehouse, yet"
"You can depend on it, Burton
maintained, "that the staircase is the
place to look. II you had seen War.
drops face today, and his agony OF
mind when he knew he had associated
staircase with shot you would think
lust as I do. "A. man like Schwartz
who knew the ropes, could 60 quietly
up the stairs, unbolt the door into the
room. shoot Fleming and get out. war
drop suspects Schwartz, and he's afrait
OF him; If he opened, the door just y
time toNsee Schwartz; we will say
backing out the door and going doWf
the stairs, or to see the door closing
and suspect who had just gone, VIC
would have the whole situation. as
see 1t, including the two motives o.
deadly hate and jealousy"
Suppose the stairs open into the
back of the room? He was sitting
facing the window. Do you think
Schwartz would go in, walk around
tie table and shoot him from in front:
Pooh! Fudge!"
"He had neck" retorted. Il sup
pose he might have turned his head
to look around"
We had been walking through the
rain. The White Cat, as far off as the
poles socially, was only half-dozer
blocks actually from the best residence
portion of the city. At the corner Of
the warehouse, Burton stopped an6
looked up at 1t.
II always get mad when I look al
this building" he said. My grea'
grandfather had truck garden on thif
exact spot seventy years ago, and the
old idiot sold out for three hundred
dollars and a pair Of mules! How dt
you get in?"
what are you going in for"
asked.
Il was wondering II had a grudgt
II have, for that matter-agatnst thu
mayor, and wanted to shoot him. how
I would go about it. think should
find a point Of vantage, like an over
looking window in an empty buildini
like this, and would wait for mugg.
night also like this, when the Windows
were up and the lights going. I coult
not him with thirty-eight at dozel
yards, with my eyes crossed"
We had stopped near the archet
gate where l had stood and waited TO
Hunter, a week before. Suddenl.
Burton. darted away from me and triet
the gate. It opened easily, and hear'
him splashing through puddle in tn
gloomy yard.
"Come in" he called softly. eth
waters fine"
The gate swung to behind me, ant
L. ivohnS %royvo M,