Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-02-01

confident that he would at once admit
his possession Of 1t and offer some
explanation that would Immediately
satisfy everybody LeDuc was look
ing steadily at him, apparently as puz-
Zled by his answer as was L To all
outward appearances there was some
thing hidden beneath the skin here,
and I determined to make a quick
thrust a. the heart Of the matter,
bleeding him Of his secret for his own
good.
Where were you last night, Bruce7"
I asked quietly. The paIlor of his
cheeks took on the unhealthy hue OF
wet ashes and he stood mute with an
unpleasant narrowing of his eyes. For
a long minute the silence was IN
broken, LeDuc scanning him impa-
tiently and Clare, her pupils expand
ed, leaning far forward In her intent
ness. Then he shifted sullenIy upon
his feet.
I have no reply to make to that
question at present"
I signaled to LeDuc, who instantly
caught the cue. But perhaps if the
young lady would pardon US" he
murmured with a courteous bow to
Clare. She arose upon the instant,
and glancing neither to right nor left,
passed into my uncle's apartments,
while Bruce glooming after her with
frightened lips moved no muscle. AS
the door closed behind her I made an
other effort in his behalf
4 wish you would be reasonable in
this matter, Bruce You ought to
know that you can trust US implicitly
when I give you my word as I now do.
If you have any reason-any mans
reason-to think that your where
abouts last night if known to Clare
would distress her, Mr.. LeDuc and
will bind ourselves upon our honor to
keep your communication confidential.
Later on you make such explanation
to her as you may desire, but in view
Of certain statements which you made
to ne it is necessary that our mutual
friend here should know where you
spent the night. Viii you tell us?"
A pale glow of passion, phosphores-
cent like, appeared deep behind his
eyes and ne answered me dOggedly,
almost defantly.
NO 1t is a matter which at pres
ent concerns only myself. Nor do
understand your insinuations when
you say it is for my own good that I
make confidants Of you. What do
you mean by such attempted intimida-
tion?"
Ignoring the gathering storm, l an
swered him in a calm tone:
Bruce, I trust you implicitly and
tell you now that it would take moth
ing less than a bombshell Of absolute
proof to shatter that belief. That be-
ing the case, when I assure you that
I have reason to believe that it is for
your own good to do so, l think you
might honor me with your confidence.
Along that same line I am going to
ask you another question. Do you OBJ
ject to showing us the contents of
your pockets -eyerything?" He turned
a dull red, seemed about to explode
with the heat of his passion, and then
growing suddenly cold bowed frigidly
and began laying before US the con-
tents of his clothes. 1t was the US
uaI miscellaneous assortment of a
mans personal carvings, and when
he had finished a glance told US that
the object for which we were search
ing was not among them.
The pockets of your overcoat,
please" purred LeDuc. With mocking
deliberation Bruce began turning the
folds and creYices of that garment
inside out Nothing of interest was
exposed to US, and when he had fin
ished we sat cycling each other with
silent lips. I broke the hush.
Bruce, you had key to the house
yesterday You pounded upon the
table with it as we sat together down
town and then put it back in your
side overcoat pocket. I noticed it
distinctly. Now Clare's key has dis
/ appeared and it is impossible for us
to overlook the coincidence. Where
did you get the one you had and