Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-24

positive proof that be had left the
house at the hour he named and moth
ing TO show that he had gone TO MS
studio. Also, there was nothing to
show that If he had left the house be
had not returned at later hour.
All OF the servants had been exam
ined. and. while they were greatly ex-
cited and distressed, they apparently
knew nothing The police had hopes
that further and closer inquiries would
reveal suspicious facts on which TO
base an arrest" Inspector Duffy.
while he would not go into details. in
timated that there would he ''sensa-
tionaI developments within a few
hours"
And so II went. These stories were
c.;nted under headlines such as 20
nee know Argyle Murderer" son
Quarreled With Argyle Before Shoot
ing"
Artists are not usually considered
men of action. and that is possibly the
reason that Bruce Argyle was expert
encing much difficulty in gaining rec
IGNITION as an artist He was decid-
eddy man of action-lean, wiry, dark
eyed and ascetic His appearance, save
for the carelessness OF his attire. was
more that OF confidential secretary to
an empire builder than a dabbler in
paints and canvases.
He acted with great swiftness. as he
felt there was great need. Not that he
was alarmed-he felt that be was in
no danger Of being convicted of the
murder, but he was anxious to keep
his name out OF unpleasant associa-
ton with the crime for a number Of
perfectly manifest reasons and one
that was not manifest-he was en-
gagged to a very charming young wo-
man, Miss Nancy Thompson. The en-
gagement was a secret, but he was
Thompson's name and picture would
be staring at the young girl from the
front pages OF the newspapers.
Within a few hours after the news
papers had taken this tack he was in
consultation with Mr.. Hurley. Mr..
Hurley was a smoothly polished pro-
fesSional man of about forty. who
maintained a handsome Office. but
practiced little in the courts apparently.
Young Argyle was not satisfied with
! the counsel Of his fathers lawyer. The
latter advised ignoring the publicity
1 that must inevitably attend the muir
der. doing all that lay within their
/ power to aid the police and wait TO:
/ results
/ Il can't wait for resultsr' declared
( Bruce This thing is getting on my
nerves and on Mary's and Nancy's
/ For the sake of all of US it has TO be
/ cleared up right away"
! We'll. | do not see that we can
hurry matters any," said Mr.. Hurley in
/ his most soothing professional manner.
NO. l guess you don't" returned
/ Bruce. little bitterly. II don't either.
/ But something has to he done"
wait. young man. wait" Mr.. Hur.
ley advised him. The police will sure.
~ get on the right track within anoth,
er day or Two
The police" snorted Argyle. They
have been getting on the right tract
for nearly week. and all they have
done so far is make newspaper stories
that are as ridiculous as they are Of
! fenSive"
"Thc truth cannot hurt any one.
mildly objected Sir. Hurley.
Yes. it can, too retorted Bruce.
at is true that | was the last person
with my father and that | can't prove
that wasn't there when be was killed
and you bet that hrrts Ike the dick.
enso'
1t does not prove that you killed
him." remarked the lawyer. and the
burden Of proof rests upon the state"
Yes" broke in Bruce. with rising
scorn. Il like the idea Of going on fol
weeks this way in the position of the
police not being able TO prove that
killed my father! want them tc
prove who did it-not me to prove tina
| didn't or anything else
Well, | suppose they are trying a!
hard as they can" said Mr.. Hurley
They seem TO be busy enough
oh. yes. they're busy" Argyle
laughed grimly. Every time they
have a spare man around headquarter,
they serd him up to bother me o
Mary and get us TO tell everything al
over again. Mary is nearly distracted
| suppose they'll be charging her witt
the murder in the newspapers prett,
soon, and then Ill commit a murde
that won't be any Mystery
Now. Bruce, don't excite yourself
counseled the lawyer But be scenes
uncomfortable at the mention Of Mis-
Mazuret. The truth may be unpleas
ant. as you say. but 1t can never d
apy HARM"
Argyle made an impatient gesture
1T can do some real harm TO Mary i
she breaks down under all this-thI
'unpleasantness,' as you call it." he re
, torted. Il suppose this thing of tn
will is bound TO be made public, an
, then there will be all sorts of new al
, nastier stories about the whole lot O
u.s.
. ut can hardly be avoided" concede
4 the lawyer regretfully. Il think. my
; self, that the newspapers are Above
too much license in this respect. bu
a that is better than a crippled and han
, pered press"
Argyle frowned at the floor and tn
!. lawyer played with a pen and waitec
At last the young man looked nm ar