Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-21
CHAPTER VII
The Lsteers.


mood too thoughtful 10 notice the en-
trance Of Mr.. Gryce and Sweetwater
from the dining-room where they had
been having dinner.
However, as the formers tread was
somewhat numbering, the coroner's
attention was caught before they had
quite crossed the room, and Sweet
water, with his quick eye, noted how
his arm and hand Immediately fell so
as to cover up a portion of the pa
pers lying nearest to him.
well Gryce, this is a dark case"
he observed, as at his bidding the two
detectives took their seats.
Mr.. Gryce nodded; no did Sweetwa-
ter.
"She was not shot She was not
struck by any other hand; yet she lies
dead from a mortal wound in the
breast Though there is no tangible
proof Of her having inflicted this
wound upon. herself, the jury will have
no alternatiee, fear, than to pro-
nounce the case one of suicide"
I'm sorry that I've been able to do
SO little,' remarked Mr. Gryce.
The coroner darted him a quick
look.
You are not satisfied? You have
some different idea?" he asked
The detective frowned at his hands
crossed over the top of his cane. then
shaking his head, replied:
THE verdict you mention is the
only natural one of course. see that
you have been talking with Miss Chal-
toner's former maid?"
Eyes, and she has settled an i'm
portant point for US. There was a
possibility, of course, that the paper
cutter which you brought to my no
tice had never gone with her into the
mezZanine That she, or some other
person, had dropped it in passing
through the lobby. But this girl as
sures me that her mistress did not en-
ter the lobby that night. That che
! accompanied her down in the elevator,
/ and saw her step off at the mezzanine.
She can also swear that the cutter
was in a book she carried-the book
we found lying on the desk. The girl
/ remembers distinctly seeing it's pc
e
| from its pages. Could anything be
more satisfactory fl was going to
/ say, If the young lady had been of the
! impulsive type and the provocation
/ greater. But Miss Challoner's nature
was calm, and were it not for these
letters" here his arm shifted a little
Il should not be so sure of my jury's
future verdict Love" he went on,
after a moment of silent consideration
of letter he had chosen from those
before him, "disturbs the most equa-
BILE natures. When it enters as a fac
tor, we can expect anything-as you
know. And Miss Challoner evidently
was much attached to her correspon-
dent, and naturally left the reproach
conveyed in these lines"
And Doctor Heath read:
Dear Miss Challoner: Only q man
of small spirit could endure what
endured from you the other day. Love
such as mine would be respectable in
clod-hopper, and I think that even
you will acknowledge that 1 stand
somewhat higher than that Though l
was silent under your disapprobation,
you shall yet have your answer. 1t
will not lack point because of it's nee
essary delay"
"A threat"
J The words sprang from Sweetwater
and were evidently involuntary.
: ut is the only letter of them all
which conveys anything like a re
J proach," proceeded the coroner. "Her
surprise must consequently have been
great at receiving these lines, and heI
! resentment equally so. II the two met
! afterwards But / have not shown
you the signature. To the poor father
: 1t conveyed nothing-some facts have
, been kept from him-but to US
} here he whirled the letter about sc
, that Sweetwater, at least, could see
the name, cit conveys a hope that We
; may yet understand Miss Challoner'
"Brotherson!" exclaimed the young
: detective in loud surprise. Brother
con! The man who"
THE man who left this building
/ just before or simultaneously with tn,
alarm caused by Miss Challoner's fall
: 1t clears away some of the clouds be
Jogging us. She probably caugh
] sight of him in the lobby, and in thu
| passion of the moment forgot he
usual instincts and drove the sharp
pointed weapon into her heart"
r "Brotherson!" The word came soft
/, ly now, and with thoughtful intons
4 ton. He saw her die"
3 Why do you say that?"
4 Would he have washed his hand
r IN the snow If he had been in ignc
!, rance Of the occurrence? He was tn
9 real, If not the active, cause Of he
3 death and he knew II. Either hex
cuse me. Doctor Heath and Mr. Gfyce
! It il not for me to obtrude my opir
e ion"
e Have you settled It beyond disput
e that Brotherson is really the man VIII
5 Was seen doing this?"
d mo. sir. / have not had a minut
: for that job, but Pm ready for tn
4 business any time you see fit to spar
> me-"
e Let IL be, tomorrow, or, II you ca
r manage 1t, tonight. We want the ma
E sven IL he is not the hero of that n