Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-28
CHAPTER K.
A pIfferenee Of opinlon.

Job. but i promise you not to increase /
the confusion. II ] do: IL l rattle the
leaves too loudly, it will mean, Press /
him further on this exact point but
] doubt II rattle them, sir. No such
luck"
The last three words were uttered
soto voce, but the coroner heard him,
and followed his ungainly figure with
a glance Of some curiosity, as he set.
tied himself at the desk on the other
side OF the room.
rs the man" he began, but at this
moment the man entered, and DR.
Heath forgot the young detective, in
his interest in the new arrival
Mr.. B,-othercon, believe" said he,
IS he motioned his visitor to sit
THAT is my name, cir"
Orlando Brotherson?"
The same, sir"
Tin glad we have made no mis-
take" smiled the doctor. Mr. Broth.
erson, have sent for you under the
supposition that you were friend of
the unhappy lady lately dead at the
Hotel Clormcnt."
Miss Challoner?"
Certainly; Miss Challoner."
81 knew the'lady. But" here the
speakers eye took on a look as ques-
tioning as that of his interlocutor-
but in a way so devoid of all public
ity that / cannot but feel surprised
that the TACT should be known"
At this. the listening Sweetwater
hoped that DR. Heath would ignore
the suggestion thus conveyed and de-
cline the explanation 1t apparently de-
mandod. Bot the impression made
by the gcnucman's good looks had
been too strong for this coroner's
proverbial caution. and. handing over
the slip OF a note which had been
found among Miss Challoner's effects
by her fa~her. he quietly asked:
do YOU recognize the signature?"
Yes. q is mine"
do you remember the words of this
note. Mr.. Brotherson?"
Hardly | recollect its tenor, but
not the exact words"
Read them"
Excuse me. had rather not.
am aware that they were bitter and
was angry when I wrote them"
That lie evident But the cause Of
your anger is not 80 clear. Mr. Broth
erson. Miss Challoner was a woman
of lofty character. or such was the
universal opinion OF her friends
What could she have done to a gen.
tleman liEe yourself to draw forth
such n TRADE ?"
''You ask that?-
81 am obliged to. There is mystery
surrounding her death-the kind OF
mystery which demands perfect frank
mess on the part OF all who we're near
her on that evening, or whose rela-
ltions to her were in any way peculiar.
You acknowledge that your friendship
was OF such guarded nature that It
surprised you greatly to hear it recog-
nized. Yer you could write her let
ter OF this nature. Why?"
BECAUSE" the word came glibly
but the next one was long In follow
ing. Because" he repeated. letting
the fire Of some strong feeling disturb
for n moment his dignifed reserve,
81 offered myself to Miss Challoner.
and she dismissed me with great dis
dRin."
"Ah! and so you thought a threat
was due herr"
"A threat?"
These words contain a threat, do
they not?"
They may. l was hardly master OF
myself at the time. may have e1.
pressed myself in an unfortunate man
ner."
Read the words. Mr.. Brotherson.
really must insist that you do So"
There WINS no hesitancy now. Ris.
ing, he leaned over the table and read
the few words the other had spread
out for his perusa. Then he slowly
rose to his full height. as he an
swered, with come slight display Of
conjunction:
Il remember II perfectly now. II
is not q letter to be proud Of
hope"
Pray finish, Mr.. Brotherson."
That you are Tot seeking to es
tablish a connection between this let
ter and her violent death?"
mischisvous. Mr.. Brotherson. The
harshness with which this is written
might easily rouse emotions OF q most
unhappy nature in the breast OF a
woman as sensitive as Miss ChaI
loner."
Parton me, DR.. Heath; cannot
natter myself so far. You overrate
my influence with the lady you name
You believe, thon, that she was sin
eere in her rejection OF your ad
% dresses 2"
Il have never allowed myself &c
think otherwise. have seen no rea
son why l should. The suggestion
you would convey BY such a question
Is hardly Welcome. now. l pray yoJ
no be careful in your judgment OF suef