Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-11-02

The second man left the room to 60
to the telephone. AS he did so Hex
ford lit the candle. Idly watching,
Tor nothing now could make me look
at the lounge again. I noticed the can.
dlesttck. 1t was of brass and rare in
style and workmanship-a candlestick
to be remembered. one Of a pair. per-
haps. I felt my hair stir as I took in the
details of its shape and ornamental
ton. If its mate were in her house
No. no. no! I would not have it so.
I could not control my emotion If I
let my Imagination stray too far. The
candlestick must be the property of
the club. l had only forgotten. 1t
was bought when? While thinking,
planning, l was conscious of Hex
ford's eyes fixed steadily upon me.
ibid you go into the kitchen in
your wanderings below?" he asked.
mo" l began. but seeing that !
had made a mistake. I bungled and
added weakly. Eyes; after matches"
"And did you get themY"
EYES,"
I'm the dark? You must have had
trouble in finding themY
mot at all. Only safety matches
are allowed here. and they are put in
a receptacle at the side of each door.
l had but to open the kitchen door.
feel along the jamb. find the recep.
tacle and pull the box out. I'm well
used to all parts of the house,"
Where did you light your first
match?"
Upstairs"
mot in the kitchenY"
mo. sir"
That's a pity. 1 thought you might
be able to tell me how SO many wine
and whisky bottles came to be stand.
ing on the kitchen table,"
l stared at him. dazed. Then l re-
membered the two small glasses on
the little table across the room and
1nstinctively glanced at them. But no
whisky had been drunk out of them.
The odor of anisette is unmistakable.
You carry the key to the wine cell
lar" he asked.
l considered a moment. did not
know what to make of bottles on the
kitchen table. These women and bot
ties! They abhorred wine; they had
reason to. l remembered the dinner
and all that had s%ignalized it and felt
my confusion grow.
THE keys were given up by the
janitor yesterday" I managed to STAN
mer at last. But l did not bring them
here tonight. They are in my rooms
at home"
l finished with a gasp. l had sud
denly remembered that these keys
were not in my rooms. | had had
them with me at Miss Cumberland's.
and. being given to fooling with some
thing when embarrassed. I had fooled
with them and dropped them while
talking with adelaide and watching
Carmel. | had meant to pick them up.
but l forgot and
You need say nothing more about
It," remarked Hexford. II have no
right to question you at ALL. Let us see
what there is in here" stepping into
the adjoining small room. into which
| had simply peered in my W In
vestigation Of the place.
AS he did so a keen blast blew in;
a window in the adjoining room was
open. He cast me a hurried glance
and. with the door in his hand. made
the following remark:
your ladylove. the victim here
could not have come through the snow
with no more clothing on her than we
see now. She must have worn a hat
and coat or furs or something Of thai
nature. Let us look for them"
AS 1 followed him into the closet he
pushed the door wide, pulling out ar
electric torch as he did so. By its
light we saw almost at first glance the
coat and hat he professed to seek. ly
ing in a corner of the floor. beside ar
overturned chair.
Goods" left my companions lips
That's all straight. You recognize
these garments" l nodded, speech
less.