The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-05-24
CHAPTER ix.-(Continued. }

CHAPTER Ix.-(continued,)
You say that is all you know about
that phase Of the matter. Very good.
But what else do you know" Driven
fairly into a corner I answered des-
perately:
Il know he had key to the house.
While l was sitting with him at the
interview I have just mentioned he
Became angry at the thought Of IN
cle's refusal to assist him, and struck
the table several times with some
small metallic object which hs had
tightly clenched in his hand. The
familiar appearance of the object i'm
mediately attracted my attention and
managed to see enough of it to know
that 1t was a key to this place. I
was somewhat surprised, not know
Ing how he had come into possession
Of it; but thinking it was his own
business did not mention it to him
In his then condition of mind. | do
not believe that he knew that l had
noticed it, or was even aware that he
had exhibited it In his excitemen,,
Tor Immediately after his outburst he
thrust 1t back into his overcoat pock-
st. l think that l have now without
reservation told you all that know
concerning his words and actions
within the last few days. He can UNI
doubtedly explain his possessorship
Of the key as well as bis whereabouts
last night to your entire satisfaction.
But hope it will not even be neces-
sary to hurt his pride by questioning
him
LeDuc leaned forward with deep in
terest in his face. Then if there are
but four keys to thesfront door known
10 be In existence, and as your uncle
has his own as well as the one which
you formerly possessed, and as Mrs.
Tebbets still has hers, the only one
remaining to be accounted for should
be in the possession Of your other
cousin, Miss Winton. If she still retains
hers, then the one Bruce had must
Of necessity be duplicate. and
duplicate could not have been made
without the maker having for time
had one of the originals. That phase
Of the matter we will take up, If nee
sssary, when we come to 1t, but what
We want to know now Is regarding the
originals. And to ascertain that we
must know whether Miss Winton has
parted keepership of hers. I must
see her at once"
Perhaps 1t would be we'll for me
10 call her up over the wire and ask
her to come here" l suggested. "Un-
Gle will be glad to see her, and /
know she will dance with anxiety to
come when she hears about this" He
nodded his acquiescense, and going to
the telephone 1 briefly put her in pos
session of the news with the request
that she come to US Immediately. In
her excitement and eagerness she
dropped the ear instrument instead Of
replacing 1t upon the hood and I
could hear her as she rushed about
the room calling upon her mother for
her hat and gloves. Fifteen minutes
later she was ringing at the front
door. LeDuc shot me look full or
significance.
did you say that she and Bruce
are engaged, or something to that eff
fect?' he inquired, referring TO re-
mark which I had dropped few mo-
msnts before. I nodded.
80 Bruce intimated to me. I knew
they were desperately fond of each
other and he told me that had he no,
been wiped out he would have married
her At any rate, she does not seem
to have her key with her this morn.
Ing" was my answer. Down stairs
we heard Mrs. Tebbets opening the
door, and a moment later with pat
ter Of feet and a rustic of skirts Clare
bounded in upon US. Her eyes were
dilated and she seemed almost ready
to burst from suppressed excitement.
Her first words were about Uncle
Abner and as to whether be was now
entirely out OF danger. I assured her
that he was and then introduced Le-
Duo, requesting that she seat herself
q moment with US before going into
the other room. She dropped upon
the edge of chair, fidgeting and nerv-
Gus. LeDuc, Immediately all court
esy, laid aside his cigar.
II will detain you but moment,
Miss Winton," he apologized, his faint
habitual smile breaking into an az
fable one. But as am investigating
this affair in the interests Of your I'm.
Gle and In the hope of recovering
more or less of his money, am going
to assume that you. as one OF the
family. will be glad to give me your
assistance At the present moment
4 am Aeyafinr my attention to lOCAt.