Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-09-11
CHAPTER u.

CHAPTER u.
"a Know tho Man."
Yet he made no effort to detain
Mr.. Slater, when that gentleman, un'
der this renewed excitement, has
tily left us.
Il want to feel sure Of myself" he
explained. Can you bear the strain
of waiting around a little longer
Laura"
Yes, | can bear 1t. Don't you think
the man we saw had something to do
with this? Don't you believe"
Hush! What are they saying over
there? Can you hear?"
NO. And l cannot bear to look.
Yet don't want to 60 away. It's all
SO dreadful"
ITS devilish. Such beautiful
girl! Laura, / must leave you for
moment. Do you mind?"
mo. no; yet"
did mind; but he was gone be-
fore / could take back my word.
Alone, / felt the tragedy much more
than when no was with me. drew
back against the wall and hid my
eyes, waiting feverishly for Georges
return.
He came, when he did come, in
some haste and with certain marks
of increased agitation.
Laura" said he, Slater says that
VIC may possibly be wanted and pro.
poses that we stay here all night. !
have telephoned aud made It all right
at home. VIII you come to your
room? This Is no place for you"
Nothing could have pleased me bet
ter. But l could not go without cast
ing another glance at the tragic scene
| was leaving. A stir was perceptible
there, and / was Just in time to see
its cause. A tall. angular gentleman
was approaching from the direction
OF the musicians gallery, and from
the manner of all present, as well as
from the whispered comment Of my
husband, recognized in him the spe-
cial Official for whom all had been
waiting.
Are you going to tell him." was
my question to George as we made
our way down to the lobby.
That depends. First, am going
to see you settled In a room quite
remote from this business.
II shall not like that"
II know, my dear, but 1t is best"
could not gainsay this.
Nevertheless, after the first few
minutes OF relief. found 1t very
lonesome upstairs.
was still struggling with this feel
ing when the door opened, and George
came in. There was news in his face
as rushed to meet him.
Tell me-tell," l begged.
He tried to smile at my eagerness,
but the attempt was ghastly.
"T've been listening and looking"
said he, "and this is all l have learn
ed. Miss Challoner died, not from
a stroke or from disease Of any kind,
but from a wound reaching the heart.
No one saw the attack, or even the
approach or departure Of the person
inflicting this wound. II she was killed
by a pistol-shot, 1t was at distance,
and almost over the heads Of the per
sons sitting at the table we saw
there. But the doctors shake their
heads at the word pistol-shot, though
they refuse to explain themselves or
to express any opinion till the wound
has been probed. This they are going
to do at once, and when that question
is decided, ] may feel 1t my duty to
speak and may ask you to support my
story"
I'VE can never make them under
stand how he looked"
mo. don't expect to-"
"Or his manner as he fed"
Nor that either"
I'VE can only describe what We saw
him do"
That's all"
"Oh, what an adventure for quiet
people like US! George, / don't be-
lIeve he shot her"
He must have"
But they would have seen-have
heard-the people around, / mean"
$50 they say; but I have a theory
but no matter about that now. I'm
going down again to see how things
have progressed. I'll be back for you
later. Only be ready"
In a half hour or IN hour-I never
knew which-George reappeared, only
to tell me that no conclusions had as
vet been reached; an element Of great
mystery involved the whole affair. and
the most astute detectives on the
force had been sent for. Her father.
VIII had been her constant compan-
ion all winter, had not the least sug-
gestion 10 offer In way Of its Solu-
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