Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-09-13

| ne maze 10 show.
The Letters.
Before a table strewn with ma pers in
| the room we have already mentioned as
gwen over to the use of the police. sat
| Or. Heath in mood too thoughtful TO
! notice the entrance of Mr.. Gryce and
S"eetWater from the dining room where
they had been having dinner
However as the formers tread was
somewhat numbering. the coroner's atten-
tlon was caught before they had quite
crossed the room, and Sweetwater. with
his quick eye, noted how his arm and
hand Immediately fell so as to cover up a
portion Of the papers lying nearest to him.
We'll, Gryce. this is a dark case" he
observed as at his bidding the two de-
tectives took their seats
Mr. Gryce nodded so did Sweetwater.
The darkest that has ever come to my
knowledge pursued the coroner.
Mr.. Gryce again nodded: but not so.
| SWeetwater. For some reason this sim
pie expression of opinion seemed to have
given him mental start.
| She was not shot She was not struck
| by any other hand; yet she lies dead from
mortal wound in the breast. Though
there is no tangible proof of her having
inflicted this wound upon herself, the jury
VIII have no alternative. | fear. than to
pronounce 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 Challoner $
| former maid?"
Yes, and she has settled an important
point for us. There was a possibility
! of course, that the paper cutter which
you brought to my notice 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
| assures me that her mistress did not en-
| ter the lobby that night That she ac-
! companied 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 lyine
| on the desk The girl remember dis
| tinctly seeing its peculiarly chased handle
projecting from its pages. Could any
thing be more satisfactory fl was goine
to say, If the young lady had been of the
| impulsive type and the provocation great
| er. But Miss Challoner's nature was
calm, and were it not for these letters
here his arm shifted a little-'T should
not be so sure of my jurys future verdict
Love'-he went on, after a moment of ST.
| lent consideration of a letter he had
chosen from those before him-"disturbs
| ~, Il
tiers as a factor, we can expect anything
as you know. And Miss Challoner evi
IDENTIFY was much attached to her CORE
spondent, and naturally felt the reproach
| conveyed in these lines"
| And DIR. Heath read:
| Dear Miss Chaloner: Only a man OF
small spirit could endure what I en-
dured from you the other day. Love such
| as mine would be respecta BILE in a clod-
| hopper. and I think that even you will
acknowledge that l stand somewhat high
or than that Though l was silent un-
der your disapprobation, you shall yet
have your answer 1t will not lack point
because of its necessary delay"
"A threat"
| The words sprang from Sweetwater,
and were evidently involuntary. DR..
| Heath paid notice, but Mr.. Gryce, in
| shifting his hands on MS cane TOP, gave
| them sidelong look which was not with
out a hint of fresh interest in a case con-
corning which he had believed himself to
have said his last word,
| TT is the only letter of them all which
conveys anything like a reproach," pro-
ceeded the coroner. 1.-The rest are ardent
| enough and, / must acknowledge that, so
far as l have allowed myself to look into
them, sufficiently respectful Her sur
prise must consequently have been great
at receiving these lines, and her resent
ment equally so. II the two met after
wards But I have not shown you the
signature To the poor father it con-
viewed nothing-some facts have been kept
from him-but to US" Here he whired
the letter about so that Sweetwater at
least, could see the name, 1T conveys
hope that we may yet understand Miss
Challoner.'
"Brothersonl" exclaimed the young de
tective in loud surprise "Brotherson!
The man who"
THE man who left this building Just
before or simultaneously with the alarm
caused by Miss Chaloner's fall 1t clears
away some Of the clouds befogging us.
She probably caught sight of him in the
lobby. and in the passion of the moment
forgot her usual instincts and drove the
sharp pointed weapon into her heart"
"Brothersonn' The word came softly
now, and with a thoughtful intonation.
He saw her die.
To Be Continued in Next Issue.