Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-06-21

~ bdCT0os anu we HOulQ Oc nOuc bhc
wiser. | sincerely regret his obstin-
acy. for even though II does not get
him into any particular trouble II
may compel him to go through an or
deal that may be unpleasant for US
all. ! know LeDuc well enough to be
lieve that he will get at the bottom
Of this affair II he possibly can, no
matter whom he uncovers as he digs.
She breathed a little sigh. "Of
course | appreciate all that and have
tried to reason with him. but he would
not listen to me any more than he did
to you. He almost swore when ]
begged him to ignore me and tell
you men all about himself. While
would stake my life upon his limo
cence of all completely in this matter,
1 can explain 1t to myself in only one
way, and l cannot force myself to be-
lieve even that" Our eyes met
squarely.
II am certain there is no other
woman in the case; Bruce is not that
kind" ] stated positively.
one TtOueucu duu HSI bdHuo "
came tight little fists. mo. will not
believe such a thing of him." she
cried with a slight quivering of the
lips. Quickly she arose and passed
into my uncle's apartments with
head on high. 1t seemed too bad that
l had been obliged to mention such a
distasteful thing, but ] knew well
enough that despite herself it was
lowering In her mind. and | wanted
to add my convictions Of his moral
honesty to her own. 1t distressed me
to see her unhappy, but deeming II
best to let her have a little time in
which to compose herself did not
follow her, leaving the house almost
Immediately thereafter, and in fact
avoiding any further contact with my
uncle that day A little later ! had
gotten Mrs. Dace on the telephone
and told her that would like to see
her as / was the possessor Of rather
| startling news. She asked me to
| come to her at once.
She did not seem to be as surprised
| or interested at my recital as thought
the tale warranted. To be sure her
eyes quickly arose to mine when
told her OF the crime, and she gave
me her undivided attention until
had finished; then seemed to be turn
ing the affair over in her own mind
for she allowed several minutes to
elapse without comment.
Whom do you suspect mean you
personality" she then asked me.
requested that she pledge herself to
secrecy, which she did with a little
laugh that told me that she consid
cred such formula superhuous.
Il suspect absolutely no one. Yet
/ am puzzled and worried by Bruce's
conduct. / do not attach much i'm
portance to his denial Of having the
key and our failure to find 1t. although
l cannot account for the denial part
of it. Neither do l give great weight
to his words about his going to get
hold of large sum of money. | take
| 1t for granted that when he said he
was going to raise 1t somehow or 9th
er 1t was with the mental reservation
that 1t was to be done honestly, OF
course Also when it comes to his
absolute refusal to tell US where he
was last night can imagine a solu
ton of that. for when a man is under
the inference Of liquor he will some
times do things that he would moi
think of were he in his right mind
It is also on record that sleep walk
ers sometimes commit burglariei
when they are in a trance and are
utterly irresponsible for their actions
Take that recent case that everybody
was talking about The person In
volved attended a dance and became
very tired. fell asleep on the way
home, skilfully broke into his owl
house and robbed himself Of money
that he had hidden away, and the mex
day remembered nothing about the
matter. II was long afterwards tha
he happened to stumble across the
money where he had secreted 1t in hii
semiconscious state"
She did not appear to be particular
ly impressed by my statement. &C
am inclined to believe that whoever
robbed your uncle at least thought h'
knew what he was about" she an
swered with what / imagined was {
faint suggestion Of sarcasm. How
ever, Bruce. being somewhat indis
posed and In an excited state, nigh
have unconsciously let fall a remarl
in some public place. which. in con
nection with his perhaps exhibiting
the key, led to its being stolen from
him and the preparation of the Grim
by some one else" acquiesced.
Il have thought of that as a pos
sible solution of the reason as to VIII.
he will not reveal his whereabouts
and am certain 1t will not escape lie
Due. Perhaps Bruce is conscious o
having been indiscreet in his speed
or actions and is ashamed to tall
about It. But this much is fairly Gel
tain. II is too great stretch Of tn
imagination to conceive that the al
tack upon the safe at this particula
time was made at hap-hazard. Tn
one who did 1t knew to a certaint.
that the money was in the house. An,
so far as we now know but four pei
sons in the world had that know
edge, namely, Uncle Abner. Bruce
myself and" paused. clearing M
throat and giving her an opportunit
to interrupt me II she chose. She di
so promptly.