Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-04-19
By ANNA
KATHARINE
GREEN
Copyright. 1910.
BY Anna Katharine Rohifs
CHAPTER TX.

THE MoTIoNLEss FIGURE.
81" HE coat is here. too." whis-
pered Sweetwater after a
moment Of considerate ST.
lence. 1--WE had better lock
1t now, had we not. till you make up
your mind what TO do with this con-
elusive bit Of evidence"
Yes, lock it. I'm not quite myself,
Sweetwater. shall never survive the
strain IT, He turned away.
Sweetwater carefully returned the
hat to Its peg. turned the key in the
door and softly followed his superior
back into the dining room and thence
to their former retreat.
IT can see that it's likely to be a
dreadful business" he ventured to re-
mark as the two stood face to face
again. But we've no choice. Facts
are facts. and we've got to make the
best Of them. You mean me- to 80
on?' -. -.r- g.
go on?"
Following up the clews which you
have yourself given me2 I've only
finished with one: there's another
1.-The bottlesY'
Eyes, the bottles. believe that I
shall not fail there II you'll give me
a little time. I'm stranger in town.
you remember, and cannot be expect
ed to move as fast as a 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 ease!' he impetuously cried
as LILA. Lilaw 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 he be startled
either; you know whom I mean. Quiet
does 1t, Sweetwater. Quiet and a
seeming Difference to his wishes rs
the present head Of the house."
rs the place his? Has Miss Cum
berland made will?"
"Her will will be read tomorrow.
For tonight Arthur Cumberland's po-
sition here Is the position OF master"
II 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 to care about is what his
sister may be led to say in her de-
lirium."
THAT'S how you look at ity The
corOner's tone was one Of gloom. Then
after 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 it thoroughly"
The coroner sighed.
II 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. II the former had been left
In the clubhouse and the latter found
without the mark set on 1t 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 be may we'll 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.
ia like to see the girl and I'd like
to see the brother when he thought no
one was watching him." he said.
II wonder what she meant by that
Wild cry Of Tear 1t open! See II her
heart Is there. Tear what open-the
cofin?" said Hexford.
''Of course. What else could she
have meant?"
''Well, delirium is a queer thing;
makes a fellow feel creepy all over.
don't reckon on my nights here"
"Hexford. help me to a peep. I've
got a difficult job before me. and l
need all the aid can get"
'Oh, there's no trouble about that!
Walk boldly along: be won't notice.
HE won't noticeY'
mo; he notices nothing but what
comes from the sickroofh." He lis
tens all the time"
"Does the nurse know thisT'
The nurse Ii puzzler."
Glow SOP
"Half nurse and half But 80 see
for yourself. Here's a package to take
in-medicine from the drug store. Tell
her there was no one else to bring 1t
up. She'll show no surprise"
Muttering his thanks. Sweetwater
seized the proftered package and has
tened with it down the hall. He had
been as far as the turn before. but
now he passed the turn to find. just
as he expected, q closed door on the
left and an open alcove on the right
The door led into Miss Cumberland's
room. The alcove. circular in shape
and lighted by several windows. pro-
5ected from the rear Of the extension
and had for its outlook the stable and
the huge sycamore tree growing be-
side 1t.
Sweetwater could not see Arthur's
face. But his dropping head. rigid
with desperate thinking: his relaxed
Ay,n 10 4