Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-21

mad anything OF the kind been washed
up By the very careful man who
scrubbed the lobby floor in the early
morning. This was Disappointing, as
its presence would have settled the
whole question. When. these efforts
all exhausted, the two detectives faced
each other again in the small room
given up to their use, Mr.. Gryce
showed his encouragement. Sweet
water watched him in some concern.
then with the persistence which was
one of his strong points, ventured
finally to remark:
81 have but one idea left on the sub
ject."
And what is that?''
The girl wore a red cloak II mis-
/ take not, the lining was also red A
/ spot on it might not show to the cas-
] ual observer. Yet 1t would mean
much to u.s.
"Sweetwateri"
1 A faint blush rose to the old mans
I cheek
Shall request the privilege of
hooking that garment over?"
Yes"
The young fellow ducked and left
the room. When he returned, it was
with q downcast air.
Nothing doing" said he.
And then there was silence.
A knock at the door was followed
by the Immediate entrance OF Mr.. Chal-
Toner, who had come in search of the
inspector, and showed some surprise
to find his place occupied by an un-
known old man
Mr.. Gryce motioned Sweetwater
from the room. With woeful look
the young detective withdrew, his last
glance cast at the cutter still lying In
full view on the table.
Mr.. Gryce, not unmindful himself of
this object, took 1t up, then laid it
down again, with an air of seeming
abstraction.
The fathers attention was caught.
What is that" he cried, advanc-
ing step and bestowing more than
an ordinary glance at the object thus
brought casually, as it were, to his
notice
Mr.. Gryce, observing the others
emotion, motioned him to a chair. As
his visitor sank into it, he remarked.
with all the consideration exacted by
the situation:
1T is unknown property. Mr. ChaL
Toner. But we have some reason to
think it belonged to your daughter"
i have seen it. or one like it. often
In her hand" Here his eyes suddenly
dllated and the hand stretched forth
to grasp it quickly drew back. Where
where was it found?" he hoarseIy
demanded. 20 God! am to be crushed
to the very earth by sorrow!"
Mr.. Gryce fastened to give hin,
such relief as was consistent with
the truth
1T was picked up-last night-from
the lobby floor. There is seemingly
nothing to connect it with her death
Yet"
Inc pause was eloquent. Mr.. Chal
Toner gave the detective an agonized
look and turned white to the Inns
Then gradually, as the silence contin
, ued, his head fell forward, and he NUT
tered almost unintelligibly:
l honestly believe her the victim
: OF some heartless stranger. do now,
out-but | cannot mislead the police
/ AT any cost 1 must retract a state
5 ment l made under false impression:
and with no desire to deceive. l sale
i that l knew all of the gentlemen who
1 admired her and aspired to her hand
( But 1t seems that l did not know he,
; secret heart as thoroughly as l haC
g supposed. Among her effects I hav,
just come upon a batch of letters
love letters | am forced to acknowI
4 edge-signed by initials totally strang,
5 10 me. The letters are manly in ton,
g most of them-but one
What about the one?"
: Shows that the writer was dis
: pleased. 1t may mean nothing, but
f could not let the matter go withou
:, setting myself right with the authorj
r ties. If it might be allowed to res
i here-if those letters can remain sa
cred, 1t would save me the additiona
T, pang OF seeing her Utmost concerns
o the secret and hottest recesses of
> Woman's heart, laid open to the pub
lie. For, from the tenor of most O
|, these letters, she-she was not AYERS
r. to the writer"
e Mr.. Gryce moved a little restlessI
d In his chair and stared hard at the cut
G ter so conveniently placed under hi
d eye. Then his manner softened an
he remarked:
n We will do what we can. But yo
k must understand that the matter
l. not simple one. That, in fact.
W contains mysteries which demand DC
o lice investigation. We do not dar
n TO trifie with any OF the facts. TIL
It inspector, and, if not he, the coroner
IT will have TO be told about these le
d. tiers and will probably ask to &c
il them"
E. They are the letters of a gentl,
i. man."
With tn one exception"
IL yes, that is understood" Then I
e sudden heat and with an almos
sublime trust in his daughter potwit,
d. standing the duplicity he had lust di,
't covered, he declared: THE dee
IS was an accident-incredible sti
1t an accident"
Mr.. Gryce had respect for this on
n burst Making no attempt to answe
l.