News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1911-07-12
CHAPTER NH.
ON TT WAS WRITTEN

N seemed natural enough al
through the lengthy conference
but half hour later any one whc
knew him well would have seen at {
first glance that his spirits were NJ
longer at par
When at 9 o'clock he entered tn,
clubhouse grounds 1t was withou
buoyancy or any of the natural ami
nation with which he usually wen
about his work. He wandered down
on the golf links. Taking out his
watch, he satisfied himself that he
had time for an experiment and i'm
mediately started for Cuthbert road
An hour later he came wandering back
on a different line. He looked soured
disappointed. When near the building
again he cast his eye over its real
and gazed long and earnestly at the
window which had been pointed out
to him as the one from which a pos.
sible light had shone forth that night
There were no trees on this side of
the house-only vines. But the vines
were bare of leaves and offered no
obstruction to his view. IF there had
| been a light in that window any one
| leaving this house by the rear would
have seen it unless he had been drunk
Or a fool" muttered Sweetwater in
contemptuous comment to himself.
Arthur Cumberland's story is one lie.
I'll take the district attorneys sug-
gestion and return to New York to-
night. My works done here"
Yet he hung about the links for a
bng time and finally ended by enter
ing the house and taking up his stand
beneath the long narrow window Of
the closet overlooking the golf links
stared out over the sill and sought
from the space before him and from
the intricacies Of his own mind the
hint he lacked to make this present
solution of the case satisfactory to
all his instincts.
What was that he saw in the vines
not on the snow of the ground. but
halfway up in the tangle of small
branches clinging close to the stone Of
The lower story, just beneath this win
low?
He surely could see-something that
glistened, something that could only
have got there by falling from this
window. Could he reach it? No; he
would have to climb up from below
to do that. Well that was easy
enough.
With the thought, he at once rushed
from the room. In another minute he
was beneath that window; had climb
ed. pulled, pushed his way up; had
found the little pocket of netted vines
observable from above; had thrust in
his fingers and worked small object
out; had looked at it. uttered an ex-
clamation curious In its mixture of
suppressed emotions and let himself
down again into the midst of the two
or three men. who had scented the ad-
venture and fastened to be witnesses
of its outcome.
"A VIAL" he exclaimed. IAN empty
vial, but Holding the little bottle
up between his thumb and forefnger
he turned 1t slowly about until the
label faced them.
On it was written one word, but 1t
was a word which invariably carries
alarm with it.
That word was poison.
Sweetwater did not return TO New
York that night.
IT regret TO disturb you. Arthur. but
ny business is of great importance
Ind should be made known to you at
,nce"
Sullen and unmollified. the young |
nan thus addressed eyed apprehen-
lively his fathers old friend. placed
o unfortunately In his regard, and
norosely exclaimed:
"Out with it! I'm a poor hand at
What has happened nowT"
"a discovery--a somewhat serious
ne. I fear; at least it will force the
olice to new action. Your sister may
ot have died entirely from strangula-
lon. Other causes may have been at
york;
"Now, what do you mean by thatT'
lrthur Cumberland was under his
wn roof and in presence of one who
hould have inspired his respect, but
e made no effort to hide the fury
vhich these words called up. T
hould like to know what devitry is
l your minds now. Am 1 never to
ave peaceT'
peace and tragedy do not often run
,gether," came in the mild tones of
Is would be friend. "Mr. Ranelagh's
ssertion that he found Miss Cumber-
md dead when he approached her ,
lay not be, as so many now believe,
lie reckless denial of criminal dis ,
lrbed In his act. 1t may have had a
asis in fact"
81 don't believe It. Nothing win 1
lake me believe it." stormed the I
her, jumping up and wildly pacing ,
lie drawing room floor. ut is all a I
,heme for saving the most popular
AN in society. But you haven't told ,
e your discovery 1t seems to me |
is a little late to make discoveries I
,w." {
"This was brought about by the G
existence of Sweetwater. He seems |
have an instinct for things. He c