Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-10-09

could have the pleasure OF seeing
him eat them. When ! came out Of
the alley the small crowd had van
ished, but a big one was collecting
up the street very near my home. l
always think OF my books when see
anything suggesting FIRE. and natural
ly / returned, and equally naturally,
when l heard what had happened, fol-
lowed the crowd into the court and so
up to the poor woman's doorway. But
my curiosity satisfied, returned at
once to the street and went to New
York as had planned"
do you mind telling US where you
went In New York;"
mot at all. l went shopping. I
wanted a certain very fine wire, for
an experiment / had on hand, and ]
found It In q little shop on Fourth
avenue. II remember rightly. the
name over the door was Grippus. Its
oddly struck me-"
There was nothing left to the in.
spector but to dismiss him. He had
answered all questions willingly, and
with q countenance inexpensive Of
guile. He even INDUCED In a parting
shot on his own account. as full OF
frank acceptance Of the situation as 1t
was fearless in It's attack. AS he halt
ed in the doorway before turning his
back upon the room, he smiled for the
third time as he quietly said:
II have ceased visiting my friends
apartment in upper New York. II you
ever want me again. you will find me
amongst my books"
He was halfway out the door. but
his name quickly spoken by the In
spector drew him back.
Anything more?" he asked.
The inspector smiled.
you are q man OF considerable
analytic power, as / take 1t, Mr.. Broth
erson. You must have decided long
ago how this woman died"
''Is that a question, Inspector"
you may take 1t as SUCH"
Then will allow myself to say
that there 10 but one common-sense
view to take OF the matter. Miss
Challoner's death was due to suicide;
90 was that Of the washerwoman. But
there l stop. As for the means-the
motive-such mysteries may be with
In your province but they are totally
outside mine! God help Us all! The
world 10 full Of misery. Again wish
you good.day."
The air seemed to have lost It's VI
tally and the sun Its sparkle when he
was gone.
Now, what do you think. Gryce?"
The old man rose and came out OF
his corner.
This: That I'm up against the hard
est proposition OF my lifetime. Moth
ing In the mans appearance or man.
ner evinces guilt, yet / believe him
guilty. l must. Not to. Is to strain
probability to the point Of breakage.
But how to reach him is a problem
and one Of no ordinary nature. II he
is not innocent as the day, he's as
hard as unQuarried marble. He might
be confronted with reminders Of his
crime at every turn without weaken
ing or showing by loss Of appetite or
interrupted sleep any effect upon his
nerves. That's my opinion Of the gen.
tleman. He is either that, or q man
OF uncommon force and self-restraint."
I'm inclined to believe him the lat
ter"
And 80 give the whole matter the
go-by"
What do you want? You say the
mine Ii unavoidable"
Yes, in a day, or In a week. pos
sibly in a month. But persistence and
a protean adaptability TO meet his
moods might accomplish something.
don't say will, only say might II
Sweetwater had the job, with unlim-
tied time in which to carry out any
plan he may have, or even for
change of plans to suit changed idea,
success might be his, and both time,
effort and outlay justified"
THE outlay? am thinking OF the
outlay"
Mr.. Challoner will see to that.
have his word that no reasonable
amount will daunt him"
But this Brotherson Is suspicious.
He has an inventors secret to hide, II
none other. We can't saddle him with
a guy Of Sweetwater's appearance and
abnormal loquaclousness."
Not readily, own. But time will
bring counsel. Are you willing to help !
the boy. to help me and possibly your
self by this venture in the dark? The |
department shhn't lose money By It;
that's all l can promise"
But it's a big one. Gryce, you shall |
have your way. You'll be the only
loser If you fail; and you will fail;
take my word for it."
81 wish 1 could speak as confidently
to the contrary, but I can't. I can give
you my hand though, inspector. and
Sveetwater's thanks. l can meet the
boy now. An hour ago l didn't know
how was to do It."