Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-09-23
Initials Only" y By Anna katherine Green
A Thrilling Mystery Story Of Modern Times

Miss Challoners fine taste and careful
breeding, might see in such a situa alton
much for regret, If not for active despair
and the suicidal act. He gave no evil
dence Of this thought. however. but fol-
lowed up the one admission made by Mr..
Brotherson which he and others must
naturally view as Of the first Importance
You saw Miss Challoner lift her hand.
You say. Which hand. and what was in
It? Anything"
she lifted her right hand, but it would
he impossible for me to tell you whether
there was anything in II or not ! simply
saw the movement before | turned away.
II looked like one Of alarm to me. ! felt
that she had some reason for this She
could not know that it was in repentance
| came rather than in fulflment of my
threat"
a sigh from the adjoining room. Mr..
Brotherson rose as he heard it, and in
doing so met the clear eye of Sweetwate
fixed upon his own Its language was, no
doubt peculiar and ii seemed to fasci-
nate him for a moment. for he started
as II to approach the detective, but for
SOCK this intention almost Immediately
and addressing the coroner gravely re-
marked:
Her death following so quickly upon
TINS abortve attempt Of mine a an inter-
view startled me by its coincidence as
much as 1t does you. II in the weakness
Of her womans nature, il was more than
this-if the scorn she had previously
shown me was a cloak she instinctively
assumed to hide what she was not ready
to disclose, my remorse will he as great
as any one here could wish But the
proof Of all this will have to be very con-
vincing before my present convictions
Will Yield to It, Some other and more
poignant source will have to be found for
that instant's impulsive act than is sup
piled by this story Of my unfortunate at
tachment."
Or. Heath was convinced, but ne was
willing to concede something to the secret
demand made upon him by Sweetwater,
who was bundling up his papers with
much clatter
Looking up with smile which had ele-
ments in it he was hardly conscious of
perhaps himself, he asked in an hand
way:
Then why did you take such pains to
wash Your hands of the affair the moment
you had left the hotel?"
Il do not understand"
You passed around the corner into
--- street, did you not?'
Very likely. l could go that way as
well as another"
And YOU stopped at. the first lamp
post?"
'Oh, see Someone saw that childish
action of mine"
What did YOU mean by it?"
Just what YOU have suggested | did
go through the pantomime of washing my
hands of an affair ! considered definitely
ended | had resisted an irrepressible
impulse TO see and talk with Miss Chal-
loner again, and was pleased with my
nrmness Unaware of the tragic blow
which had just fallen, / was full of self
ratuations at my escape from the
charm which had lured me back to this
hotel again and again in spite Of my bet
ter Judgment, and I wished TO symbolic
my relief by an act of which / was. in
another moment, ashamed Strange that
there should have been a witness to It.
CHere he stole al look at Sweetwater)
stranger still, that circumstances by the
most extraordinary OF condolences should
nave given so unforeseen a point to IT."
You are right Mr.. Brotherson. The
whole occurrence is startling and most
strange. But life is made up of the I'M
expected, as none know better than we
physicians. whether our practice be of a
public or private character"
As Mr.. Brotherson left the room the
curiousity to which he had yielded once
before, led him TO cast a glance of pene-
traung inquiry behind him full at Sweet
water, and If either felt embarrassment,
1t was not the hunted but the hunter
But the feeling did not last
I've simply met the strongest man
I've ever encountered" was Sweetwater's
encouraging comment to himself IAN
the more glory If can find a joint in his
armour or hidden passage to his cold,
seCretiVe heart"