The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-02-17
aApTER ix.--(continued.)

knew NI SiC YTosV1o - DA@- |
day Nacurs.
-dApTER ix.-(continued)
..You say that is all you know about
that phase of the matter. very gooa.
But what else do you know Driven
fairly into corner answered des-
perately:
II know he had key to the house
While was sitting with him at the
interview have Just mentioned be
became angry at the thought OF IN
cle's refusal to assist him, and struck
the table several times with some
gmali metallic object which he mao
tightly clenched In his hand. the
familiar appearance OF the object I'M
mediately attracted my attention ana
I managed to see enough Of it to know
that 1t was a key to this place 1
was somewhat surprised. not know
ing how he had come into possession
OF It: but thinking 1t was his own
BUSINESS did not mention 1t to MIN
In his then condition of mind. ! 90
not believe that he knew that | had
noticed it, or was even aware that he
had exhibited 1t in his excitement,
for Immediately after his outburst he
thrust It back into his overcoat peck
st- I think that have now without
reservation told you all that know
concerning his words and actions
within the last few days. He can I'M
doGbtedly explain his possessorship
OF the key as we'll as his whereabouts
last night to your entire satisfaction.
But hope it will not even be neces-
aary to hurt his pride BY questioning
him Il.
I.eEuc leaned forward with deep In
terest ia his face. Then Il there are
but four keys to the front door known
10 be In existence. and as your uncle
has his own els well as the one which
you formerly possessed, and as Mrs.
Tebbets still has hers, the only one
remaining to be accounted for should
be In the possession Of your other
cousin Miss Winton. II she still retains
hers. then the one Bruce had must
OF necessity be duplicate, and
duplicate could not have been made
without the maker having for time
had one Of the originals. That phase
af the matter we will take UP, II nee
essary. when we come to 1t, but what
we want to knew now is regarding the
originals. And to ascertain that we
must know whether Miss Winton has
parted keepership of hers. ] must
see her at once"
Perhaps 1t would be we'll for me
10 call her UP over the wire and ash
her to come here" suggested. "Un
ole will be glad to see her, and
know she will dance with anxiety t.
come when she hears about this HI
nodded his acquiescense, and going tt
the telephone briefly put her in pos
session OF the news with the reques
that she come to us Immediately. II
her excitement and eagerness she
dropped the ear instrument instead o
replacing 1t upon the hood and
could hear her as she rushed abou
the room calling upon her mother TO
her hat and gloves. Fifteen minutes
later she was ringing at the from
door. LeDuc shot me look full o
Significance.
Ibid you say that she and Bruc
are engaged. or something to that e1
sect% he inquired, referring to re
mark which had dropped few me
ments before. nodded.
$50 Bruce intimated to me. kne1
they were desperately fond of eac
other and he told me that had he nc
been wiped out he would have marie
her. AT any rate. she does not see1
to have her key with her this morl
ing" was my answer. Down stair
we heard Mrs. Tebbets opening tn
door. and a moment later with pa
ter of feet and rustic of skirts Ciar
bounded in upon us, Her eyes wer
t1iiated and she seemed almost read
Co burst from suppressed excitemen
Her first words were about Unc]
Abner and as to whether he was no
entirely out OF danger. assured ne
that he was and then introduced L
DUO, requesting that she seat herse
a moment with us before going I'M
the other room. She dropped uno
the edge of chair, fidgeting and ner
GUS. LeDuc, immediately all cour
esy, laid aside his cigar.
81 will detain you but momen
Miss Wtnton." he apoIogized. his fai,
habitual smile breaking into an 8
fable one. "But as am investigator
this AFFAIR in the interests OF your u
Gle and In the hope Of recoverir
more or less OF his money, I am goir
t. assume that you, as one OF Il
fanny. win be glad to give me yo'
assistance. At the present nome
tam dayoting my attention to locs