Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-11-24

again. But we've no choice. Facts
are facts. and we've got to make the
best Of them. You mean me to go
onT
Go our
Following up the clews which you
have yourself given me? I've only
finished With one: there's another
The bOttlesT'
"Yes. the bottles. I believe that I
shall not fail there If you'll give me
little time. I'm stranger in town.
you remember. aud cannot be expect.
ed 10 move as fast as a local detec-
tive"
'Sweetwater. we have hut 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-
reedingly 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 easer he impetuousy cried
az 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 he reused to the
fact-not yet. Nor must be bp startled
either; you know whom | mean Qniet
does II, Sweetwater. Quiet and a
seeming Difference to his wishes as
the present head of the house"
"ls the place his! Has Miss Cum
berland made a will?"
Her will will be read tomorrow
For tonight Arthur Cumberland's po
sition here is the position of a master"
~ 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
be seems to care about Is what his
sister may be led to say In her de-
lirium."
THAT'S how you look at itT' The
coroner's tone was one of gloom. Then
after moment OF silence: You may
call my carriage. Sweetwater. can
do nothing further here today"
Sweetwater threw open the door. but
his wistful sook 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 general way"
II wish TO do II 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 I wish to do the job
myself"
You're good fellow. Sweetwater
The keys tell the tale-the keys and
the hat. II the former had been left
in 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 did
Immediately after the event. But with
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 1t 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 no
one was watching him." he said.
II wonder what she meant by that
/ wild cry OF Tear 1t open! See If her
heart Is thereT Tear what open-the
cofinw said Hexford.
'Of course. What else could she
have meant?"
"Well. delirium is queer thing;
makes fellow feel creepy all over. 1
don't reckon on my nights here"
"Hexford. help me to peep. I've
got a difficult job before me. and
need all the aid | can get"
"Oh, there's no trouble about that!
Walk boldly along: he won't notice.
"He won't notice"
"No; he notices nothing but what
comes from the sickroom." He lis
tens all the time"
"Does the nurse know this7"
'The nurse is a puzzler."
"How soY'
Half nurse and half But 60 see
for yourself. Here's a package to take
in-medicine from the drug store. Tell
her there was no one else to bring 1t
up. She'll show no surprise"
Muttering his thanks, Sweetwater
seized the proffered package and has
tened with 1t down the hall. He had
been as far as the turn before. but
now he passed the turn to find. just
as he expected. q closed door on the
left ana an open alcove on the right
| The door led into Miss Cumberland's
room. The alcove. circular in shape
and lighted by several windows. pro-
tected from the rear Of the extension
and had for its outlook the stable and
the huge sycamore tree growing be.
side 1t.
Sweetwater could not see Arthur's
face But his dropping head. rigid
with desperate thinking: his relaxed
hand closed around the neck OF de-
canter, which nevertheless he did not
lift. made upon Sweetwater an impress
sion which nothing he saw afterward
ever quite effaced.
when come back that whisky will
be half gone" thought be and fingered
| 70 see the tumbler filled and the first
| draft taken
But. no. The hand slowly unclasped
und fell away from the decanter, his
head sank forward until his chin rest
cd on his breast. and sigh, startling
TO Sweetwater. fell from his lips. Hex.
ford was right-only one thing could
| arouse him.