The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-01-26


your theory that the theft was in.
cidental to the murder. May have
wanted his own clothes again, or to
thank you for yours. Search me; l
cant think of anything else" The
doctor came in just then.
Pretty good shape" he said. How
did you sleep?"
ooh, occasionally" I replied. i
would like to sit up, doctor"
Nonsense. Take a rest while you
have an excuse for it, I wish to thun'
der l could stay in bed for a day or
so. was up all night"
Have a drink" Mcknight said.
pushing over the bottle.
Twins" The doctor grinned.
Have two drinks"
But the medical man refused
Il wouldn't even wear champagne
colored necktie during business
hours" he explained. by the way,
had another case from your acct.
dent, Mr.. Blakeley, last yesterday aft
ernoon. Under the tongue, please. -
He stuck a thermometer in my mouth.
had a sudden terrible vision of the
amateur detective coming to light,
notebook, cheerful impertinence and
discriminating data. "a small mani"
I demanded, gray hair"
Keep your mouth closed" the doc
tor said peremptorily. mo. A wom'
an, with a fractured skull. Beautiful
case. Van Kirk was up to his eyes
and sent for me. Hemorrhage, right.
sided paralysis, irregular pupils-all
the trimmings Worked for two
hours"
Did she recover?" Mcknight put in.
He was examining the doctor with a
new awe.
"She lifted her right arm before l
left" the doctor finished cheerily, so
the operation was a success, even II
she should die"
Good heavens" Mcknight broke
in, and l thought you were just an
ordinary mortal, like the rest of usl
Let me touch you for luck. Was she
pretty?"
Yes, and young. Had a wealth OF
bronze-colored hair. Upon my soul,
I hated to cut it."
Mcknight and I exchanged glances.
DO you know her name, dOctor?"
asked
NO. The nurses said her clothes
came from Pittsburg tailor"
She is not conscious. I SUPPOSED"
NO; she may be to-morrow-or in
week"
He looked at the thermometer,
murmured something about liquid diet,
avoiding my eye-Mrs. Klopton was
broiling a chop at the time-and took
his departure, humming cheerfully as
he went downstairs. Mcknight looked
after him wistfully
"Jove, | wish l had his constitu-
ton" he exclaimed. Neither nerves
nor heart, What a chauffeur he would
make"
But | was serious.
Il have an idea" l said grimly,
that this small matter Of the murder
is going to come up again, and that
your uncle will be in the deuce of a
fix if it does If that woman is going
to die, somebody ought to be around
to take her deposition She knows a
lot, if she didn't do it herself I wish
you would go down to the telephone
and get the hospital. Find out her
name. and if she is conscious
Mcknight went under protest Il
haven't much time he said, looking
at his watch. I'm to meet Mrs. West
and Alison at one. want you to
know them, Lollie. You would like
the mother"
why not the daughter?" l IN
quired. l touched the little gold bag
under the pillow
Well" he said judicially, you've
always declared against the immature.
ty and romantic nonsense Of very
young women"
81 never said anything of the sort, .
retorted furiously.
There is more satisfaction to be
had out of q good saddle horse" he
quoted me. More excitement out
of a polo pony and as for the eternal
matrimonial chase, give me instead a
good stubble, a fox, some decent dogs
and hunter, and III show you the
real joys of the chase.'"
For heavens sake, go down to the
telephone, you make my head ache. II
l said sayagely
hardly know what prompted me
to take out the gold purse and look
at it. 1t was an imbecile thing to do
call it impulse, sentimentality,
what you wish. I brought it out, one
eye on the door, for Mrs. Klopton has
a ready eye and noiseless shoe. But
the house was quiet. Downstairs Nc
Knight was flirting with the telephone
central and there was an odor OF
boneset tea in the air l think Mrs.
Klopton was fascinated out of her
theories by the "boneset' in cOnnec-
ton with the fractured arm.
Anyhow, held up the bag and look
ed at it. 1t must have been I'M
fastened, for the next instant there
was an avalanche on the snowtield Of
the counterpane-sOme money, wisp
of a handkerchief, a tiny booklet with
thin leaves, covered with a DOWdery