River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-09-04

| Immediately, but with a light in his
small grey eye which Mr.. Gryce would
have understood and revelled in. The
idea for which he had searched in
| dustriously for months had come at
last, unbidden; thrown up from some
remote recess of the mind which had
seemingly closed upon the subject
forever.
II have it. I have it." he murmured
in ceaseless reiteration to himself 81
will go back to Mr.. Challoner and let
him decide if the idea is worth pur-
| suing. Perhaps an experiment may
be necessary. 1t was bitter cold that
night; / wish it were icy weather
now. But chemist can help us out.
Good God! If this should be the ex-
PLANTATION of the mystery, alas for Or
lando and alas for Oswald"
But his sympathies did not deter
him. He returned to Derby at once,
and as soon as he dared, presented
| himself at the hotel and asked for
Mr.. Challoner.
He was amazed to find that gentle
man already up and in state of
| agitation that was very disquieting.
But he frightened wonderfully at
sight of his visitor, and drawing him
inside the room, observed with trem-
| bling eagerness:
II do not know why you have come
back, but never was man more well
come. Mr.. Brotherson has con-
fessed-"
Confessed"
"Yes, he killed both women; my
daughter and his neighbor, the wash
erwoman, with "a"
wait" broke in Sweetwater, eager
ly, "let me tell you" And STOPPING,
he whispered something in the others
ear.
Mr.. Challoner stared at him amaz-
! ed, then slowly nodded his head.
How came you to think" he be-
gan; but Sweetwater in his great anx-
iety interrupted him with a quick:
Explanations will keep, Mr.. Chal-
loner. What of the man himself?
Where is he? That's the important
thing now"
"He was in his room till early this
morning writing letters, but he is not
there now. The door is unlocked and
1 went in. From appearances l fear
the worst. That is why your pres
ence relieves me so. Where do you
think he is?"
In his hangar in the woods. Where
else would be go to"
81 have thought of that Shall we
start out alone or take witnesses with
us?"
1--WE will go alone. Does Oswald
anticipate"
"He is sure. But he lacks strength
| to move. He lies on my bed in there.
Doris and her father are with him"
1--WE will not wait minute. How
the storm holds off. I hope it will
| hold off for another hour"
Mr. Challoner made no reply. He
had spoken because he felt compelled
to speak, but it had not been easy
for him, nor could any trif1es move
| him now.
The town was up by this time and,
though they chose the least frequent
ed streets, they had to suffer from
some encounters. 1t was good half
hour before they found themselves in
the forest and in sight of the hangar.
One look that way, and Sweetwater
turned to see what the effect was upon
Mr. Challoner.
| A murmur of dismay greeted him.
The oval of the great lid stood up
against the forest background.
"He has escaped" cried Mr.. Chal-
loner
But Sweetwater, laying a finger on
his lip, advanced and laid his ear
against the door. Then he cast a
quick look aloft Nothing was to be
seen there. The darkness of storm in
the heavens but nothing more.-Yes!
now, flash of vivid and destructive
lightning!
The two men drew back and their
| glances crossed.
Let us return to the highroad,"