The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-12-11

IS -
every, detail. She. bent. her gaze on
the dead man. stopped, made quick ex-
animation, first of the wound and then
of his face. Both Mrs. Moore and Miss
Harding were about to ask this strang-
err to account for. herself, when the
doctor, half-dressed but carrying his
bag. edged past the door. All turned
to him. He looked but an instant on
the face.
He's dead,"-h said calmly. Has
any one notified the police? Has any
one called UP Coroner?"
'I'll attend to that" volunteered the
strange woman, with an air of perfect
competence and command; where's
the phone-ground floor and top floor
hall? All right; I'll use the top floor:
that's nearer. Any particular Coro-
ner, Doctor? Lipschutz? All right"
In the hall, she met the regular
patrolman, who had received the news
at last. The limb of the law had for
hidden the augmented crowd at the
door to follow him; he was ascending
alone. The sight OF this woman in
her fashionable clothes-or was it her
compelling look of command-stopped
him. ~
Listen she said, there's only a
second. Never mind who am. Look
at this" She produced the old and
worn piece of paper which she had
drawn from her bag minute before.
"To the police" it read. ANY mat
ter that concerns the bearer. Mrs
Rosalie lie Grange, is to be referred
to me. l request you to give her the
greatest discretion.
INSPECTOR MARTIN M'GEE."
mot word" pursued Rosalie lie
Grange. Nov mind l didn't see thie
thing, an don't know as much about
1t as you. But it's your job Ito tip
me off to the reserves as soon as they
come-make them understand that
they amt to stop me whatever / do
And remember"-now the woman
smiled in meaning way-"you got
here just as quick as you could-not
a second later-Ill stick to that. Now
get inside" She waited a moment.
before she followed him.
At that moment Senior Estrilla
came down the stairs from his sisters
room. He had opened his raincoat,
but it was still wet. He had turned
up his hat brim, but an occasional
drop fell:
my seester is BETTER" he said. "Oh,
can l ASSIST And while he helped
the men to cover the body, he listened
to scattered explanations from the
women.
Now the reserves had come; and
after them, the Coroner and the de-
tectives. They cleared out the house
holding only those who seemed to
them pertinent Witnesses At. a signal
from Resale lie Grange they detained
her for time, on the ground that she
had arrived suspiciously early. The
first unorganized search for the Grim
inal simmered down to Tommy
North. although even Mrs. Moore adj
mitted that he had entered only
minute before the body was discov-
cred In the midst of the investiga-
ton, new quandary presented itself.
The house was to be sealed while the
police investigated. The innocent
would have to find some other dwell
ing-place. That suited her. Miss Hard
ing remarked; she wouldn't sleep
there again; whereupOn Mrs. Moore,
declaring she was ruined, fell again
to weeping And suddenly she who
called herself Madame LIE Grange
stepped forward into the huddled dis
tressed group.
81 haven't introduced myself" she
said, with easy masterful calm, but
I've just opened the house at 442 as
clearinghouse. You amt going to
hold me, OF uuurse"-this, to- the po-.
lice-"and, anyhow, you know where
to lind me in case you want me.
There's room tonight in, my house for
you all" She turned, with her eter-
nal air of mistress in any situation, to
Miss Harding. Come, dress and pack
UP your night things, my dear. We
can move your trunks tomorrow"
Mechanically, Miss Harding obeyed,
and then Miss Jones. Suddenly Mr..
Estrilla, who had been ministering to
Mrs. Moore by the door, spoke up and
asked:
MY seester, too"
"Shes sick, amt she ?" inquired Mrs.
LIE Grange, as if for an instant that
gave her pause. "Then the poor thing
needs it worst of ALT" she answered
her own argument. Come on" She
dashed away; lightly in spite of her
bulk, Estrilla following.
CTO BE CONTINUED.l !.