The Ocala evening star., 1911-06-21
The House
of the
Whispering
Pines
By ANNA KATHARINE GREEN
Copyright. 1910. by Anna Katharine
Rohlfs
THE MoTIoNLEss FIGURE

moment of considerate ST.
lence. I'VE had better lock
it now, had we not. till you make up
your mind what to do with this. con-
elusive bit Of evidencer'
Yes. lock it I'm not quite myself.
Sweetwater. / shall never survive the
strain if He turned away.
Sweetwater carefully returned the
hat to it's peg. turned the key in the
door and softly followed his superior
back into the dining room and thence
to their former retreat.
81 can see that it's likely to be
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
onF'
60 enr
Following up the clews which you
have yourself given me? I've only
finished with one; there's another
'The bottles?"
Yes, the bottles. / believe that l
shall not fail there IL you'll give me
little time. I'm a stranger in town,
you remember, and cannot be expect
ed to move as fast as a local detec-
tive"
"Sweetwater, we have but one duty
to 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. wish that poor girl
could get easew he impetuously cried
as Lila. Lila!" rang again through
the house
"She is the only one who is wholly
innocent in this whole business. Con-
slider her at every point. Her life Is
invaluable to every one concerned.
But she must not be reused TO the
fact-not yet. Nor must he be startled
either; you know whom / mean. Quiet
does it, Sweetwater. Quiet and
seeming Difference to his wishes as
the present head Of the house"
"Is the place his? Has Miss Cum
berland made a will?"
"Her will will be read tom prov
For tonight Arthur Cumberland's po-
sitiOn here is the position of a master"
81 will respect it. sir, up to all rea-
sonable 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-
lirium."
That's how you look at it?' The
cOroner's tone was one of gloom. Then
| after a moment of silence: You may
call my carriage. Sweetwater. / 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. 1t has al
ready been done in a general way"
81 wish to do it thoroughly"
The coroner sighed.
Il should be wrong to stand in your
way. Get your warrant and the house
is yours. But remember the sick girl
That's why 7 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
I'm 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 die
Immediately after the event. But will
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 Mr.. Clifton. He found it empty
and was soon told by Hexford that the
lawyer had left. He followed Hex
ford upstairs.
I'D like to see the girl and I'd like
to see the brother when he thought nc
one was watching him." he said.
81 wonder what she meant by tha'
wild cry Of Tear it open, See if hel
heart is therer Tear what open-th,
coffin?' said Hexford.
"Of course. What else could sh'
have meant?"
We'll. delirium is a queer thing
makes a fellow feel creepy all over.
don't reckon on my nights here"
"Hexford. help me TO a peep. Tv'
got a difficult job before me. and
need all the aid 1 can get"
"Oh, there's no trouble about that
Walk boldly along: be won't notice.
| HE won't noticeT'
mo; he notices nothing but wha
comes from the sickroom." He lis
tens all the time"
"Does the nurse know this?'
'The nurse is puzzler."
How SOP
Half nurse and half But go Sc
for yourself. Here's a package to tax
in-medicine from the drug store. Tel
her there was no one else to bring
. up. She'll show no surprise"
MutterinC his thanks. Sweetwate
seized the proffered package and has
tened with it down the hall. he ha
, been as far as the turn before. bu
now be passed the turn TO find. jus
: as he expected a closed door on tn
left and an open alcove on the righ
The door led into Miss Cumberland
room The alcOve. circular in shap