The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-02-06

The House of the
Whispering
Pines

best OF them You mean me to 80
Dn?'
Go on?"
Following up the clews which you
have yourself given me? I've only
finished with one; there's another
"The bottles?
Eyes. the bottles. / believe that |
shall not fail there II you'll give me
a little time. I'm stranger in town,
you remember. ana cannot be expect
ed 10 move as fast as local detec-
tive"
''Sweetwater, we have but one duty
to follow both clews as far as they
will take us. Only be careful. Re
member the evidence against Rane-
lagh. You will have to forge an ex-
ceedingly strong chain to hold your
own against the facts which have
brought this recreant lover TO book.
You see--oh, ! wish that poor girl
could get easer he impetuously cried
as Lila. Liar rang again through
the house.
"She is the only one who is wholly
innocent In this whole business. Con.
slider her at every point. Her life is
invaluable to every one concerned,
But she must not be reused to the
fact--not yet. Nor must lie be startled
either; you know whom | mean. Quiet
does it, Sweetwater. Quiet and n
seeming Difference TO his wishes as
tho OF k.,
as the place his? Has Miss Cum
berland made a will?"
Her will will be read tomorrow.
For tonight Arthur Cumberlands po-
sition here is the position OF master"
81 will respect it. sir. up to all rea-
sonable bounds. don't think he med
itates giving any trouble. He's not
at all impressed by our presence All
he seems 10 care about is what his
sister may be led to say in her de-
lirium."
That's how you look at it?' The
coroner's tone was one Of gloom. Then
after a moment Of silence: You may
call my carriage, Sweetwater. | can
do nothing further here today"
Sweetwater threw open the door. but
his wistful look did not escape the
older mans eye.
you're not ready TO 60? Wish TO
search the house perhaps. 1t has al.
ready been done in general way"
II wish to do 1t thoroughly"
The coroner sighed.
81 should be wrong TO stand in your
way. Get your warrant and the house
is yours. But remember the sick girl"
That's why wish to do the job
myself"
you're a good fellow. Sweetwater.
The keys tell the tale-the keys and
the hat. If the former had been left
in the clubhouse and the latter found
without the mark set on It by the
mechanics wife Ranelagh's chances
would look as slim today as they did
Immediately after the event. But with
things as they are he may well rest
easily tonight. The clouds are lifting
for him."
The coroner gone. Sweetwater made
his way TO the room where he had last
seen Mr.. Clifton. He found 1t empty
and was soon told by Hexford that the
lawyer had left. He followed Hex
ford upstairs.
I'D like to see the girl and I'd like
TO see the brother when he thought no
one was watching him." he said.
81 wonder what she meant by that
wild cry of Tear 1t open. See IL her
heart is there" Tear what open-the
coffin?" said Hexford.
"Of course. What else could she
have meant?"
"Well, delirium is queer thing; |
makes fellow feel creepy all over.
don't reckon on my nights here"
"Hexford, help me TO Il peep. I've
got a difficult job before me, and
need all the aid | can get"
"0h, there's no trouble about that. |
Walk boldly along; he won't notice.
HE won't noticeY
mo; be notices nothing but what 1
comes from the sickroom." He lis
tens all the time"
"Does the nurse know thisg'
"The nurse is puzzler."
"How sop
"Half nurse and half But go see
For yourself. Here's package TO take
n-medicine from the drug store. Tell
her there was no one else to bring II
lp. She'll show no surprise"
Muttering his thanks. Sweetwater
seized the proffered package and has
ened with IL down the hall. He had
been as far as the turn before. but
low he passed the turn TO find. just
Is he expected, closed door on the
eft and an open alcovc on the right.
rhe door led into Miss Cumberland's
Dom. The alcove. circular In shape
Ind lighted by several windows. pro.
ected from the rear of the extension
md had for its outlook the stable and
he huge sycamore tree growing be-
ide II.
Sweetwater could not see Arthur's
ace. But his dropping head. rigid
With desperate thinking; his relaxed
land closed around the neck OF &c
anter. which nevertheless he did not