The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-08-15
CHAPTER XXI.
INN COsFrssIOs.

gan 10 review those swiftly re-
curing events Of the past few days.
n seemed TO me had lived years since
nrst coming 10 this house--years full
of violence. death, danger aud excite
inent. And how greatly was indebt-
ed TO Donald and to Jeanl | wondered
n she would confess 10 him now the
story of our relationship. Il must have
cost her much TO make that open
svowal before Dunn and his men. she
was driven 20 II by hope OF saving my
life. Ia would be harder yet TO confess
the truth 20 Donald. had gone no
further IN my thought when he came
IA
Il am picking no the ends OF a rath.
er tangled skcin. King" he said easily.
but little by little II Is Strengthening
out"
We waited for. perhaps. Ave minutes
In silence. Donald seemingly buried In
thought The lieutenant came in with
q distinct awagger his sword clatter,
Ing against the door, as he stlniy came
Go attention, Donald smiled. gazing az
him quietly.
KINDLY take that chair, Lieutenant
Dunn" he said and | will detnln you
for only moment IL II true. Us
have always been led TO believe. That
your mother died twelve years agoY'
The mans face changed Instantly
his hands gripping the arms Of the
chair
"My mother! why-why do you ask
thatT'
"Because Lucille said something yes
terday which aroused my suspicion
have Just returned from Bartonvllle
The records OF the asylum show she
was taken away from there, incurred.
by your father. Is this truer'
Yes" the voice scarcely audible.
did she die laterr"
.No."
-where has she been kept concealed |
all these years."
Dunn wet his lips. bis hands trem.
bied
"In the west attic" he admitted az /
last "lt--it was fttcd up and she has /
been confined there ever since. II has
been our family secret"
However much Donald may have
unparalleled. his face expressed moth
ing. and he went coIdly on with his
questioning.
"Your mother II not now In the west
attic. The men who have met their
death In this house have been attack
ed by woman Did you know thlsT'
Dunn rose to his feet. trembling.
|
Donald. / feared II might prove TO be
my mother. what-what can | dor"
Go with us In search" and Donald
stood erect
Dunn hesitated. glancing question
tngly toward me
lis Il necessary to have this man
with usT'' he asked.
Il see no reason why he should not
be. lie already knows the circum-
stances aud. besides. n gentleman
10 be trusted II may require the
three OF us 20 handle her safely. aud
l greatly prefer King to any OF the
men outside.
He crossed the room 10 the hall. ms
N the affair were settled. and we fol
lowed without exchanging word or
glance Much as / desplscd Dunn
could not now but feel certain sym
patty for him
Wen try the tunnel King" said
Donald swiftly lift the andlron
Who do you suppose closed the trapr
Jean probably. Tor fear some one I
might notice" 9
The secret door swung ms easily as
ever on It's pivot, revealing the in.
terror y
THE man never took the ianternr' =
exclaimed Ia surprise. Strengthening q
up and pointing ~ the shelf Our J
eyes met In understanding. In our Z
minds was the same thought perhaps
just below We we're 70 discover an. a
other tragedy. e
Donald descended FIRST. after light |
ing The lantern and throwing the ull. $
well down the SHAFT. fol- p"
bowed with Dunn loiterlng In the u
rear. We grouped together az the q
fost Of the ladder. an alike dreadiug
The possibilities % rbe dark passage 81
Donald advanced a step OF two. hold 81
Ing the lantern hlgh 10 as % throw q
he rays % light forward There we h
saw revealed an uutstrefched hand -
We we're used 70 death-death By VIC. Il
ence- sat this discovery In that place b
lur nerves already strained to the ut N
most. came Ike shock II was n b
chastity SIGHT. that one white hand
showing there 90 the ray Of light
Dunn gave ufteFance % a single cry q
u horror. but Donaid and / pressed b.
'0rward silently. determined 70 know e.
ne truth. A dozen steps and we le
TODD beside The body. able az a glance 10
o comprehend the whole story. b
Daniels. iu bis old campaign Jacket Al
is hat beside him. his scanned. rugged hi
ace uptUrned, lay dead At our feet,