Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-14
CHAPTER l.
Poinscttias.


"a remarkable man"
I pointed to a man huTying around
the corner just ahead Of US.
Yes, he's remarkably well built.
I noticed him when he came out OF
the Clermont" This was a hotel we
had Just passed.
But it's not only that. It's his
height, his very striking features, his .
Expression" / stopped suddenly, /.
gripping Georges arm convulsively in
a surprise he appeared TO share. We
had turned the corner Immediately
behind the man Of whom we were
speaking and so had him still in full
view.
Whats he doing asked in low
whisper.
The man ahead OF US. presenting In
every respect the appearance of a
gentleman, had suddenly stopped TO
the kerb and was washing his hands
in the snow. furtively. but with a
vigor and purpose which could not
fail 10 arouse the strlngest Conjec-
lures in any chance onlooker.
"Pilate!" escaped my lips, in a sort
of nervous chuckle. But George shook
his head at me.
'T don't like H." he muttered. win
unusual gravity. Did you see his
face?" Then az the man rose ana
hurried away from rs down the street.
Il should like TO follow him. do be
lieve-"
But here we became aware OF a
quick rush and sudden clamor around
the corner we had Just left. and turn
ing quickly. saw that something had
occurred on Broadway which was fast
causing a tumult.
What's the matter" / cried, What
can have happened? Let's 20 see,
George. Perhaps il has something 10
DO with our man"
nv husband with a final gance
down the street at the fast disappear.
ing figure, yielded 10 my importantly
and possibly 10 some new curiosity Of
his own I'D like TO stop that man
first" said he But what excuse have
/? He may be nothing but a crank,
with some crack Drained idea in his
head. Wen soon know; for there's
certainly something wrong there on
Broadway"
"He came out Of the Clermont," l
suggested
81 know n the excitement isn't
here, what we've just seen is simply
a. coincidence"
II was the last word he had time to
speak before we found ourselves In
the midst " a crowd OF men and
women, jUstling one another in curl
Osity or in the CONSERVATION follow
ing a quick alarm All were looking
one way. and. as this was towards the
entrance Of the C.ermont, it was evi.
dent enough TO ms that the alarm had
indeed had its origin in the very place
we had anticipated. | felt my hus
bands arm press me closer TO his side
as We worked our way towards the
entrance. and presently caught 6
warning sound from his lips as the
oHths and confused cries everywhere
surrounding us were broken here anC
there by articulate words and We
heard
as Il MURDER"
ut u'dutllul MISS NudllOutI'
"a millionairess in her own right
KILLED. they say"
mo. no! suddenly dead; that's all
George, what shall we do?" ! man
aged to cry into my husbands ear.
'Tl tell you what I'll do" whiS
pered George. who was as curious a
myself. we will try the rear doc
where there are fewer persons. POss
bly, We can make our way in there
and II we can, Slater will tell US al
we want TO know"
Slater was the assistant manager G
the Clermont, and one of Georges ole
est friends.
Then hurry" said /. Il am bein
crushed here"
George did hurry. and in few mil
utes we were before the rear entranC
OF the great hotel. There was a mo
gathered here also, but It was neitht
so large nor so rough as the one o
Broadway. Yet ! doubt il we shoul
have been able TO work our wa
through il II Slater had not, at thu
very instant, shown himself in n
doorway in company with an offic,