The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-10-25

BY this time. the open door. the
iuttering lights. the screams and hys-
terics. had begun TO attract the atten-
A milkman pulled up. hitched. and en-
tered; and then a night-faring printer.
Presently the little knot In the street
and the parlors was augmented by a
woman, fully and rather oyer-luxuri-
ously dressed. as though for the the
ater--a big picture hat and n black
satin, furedged evening coat over a
light gown which showed here and
there the glitter OF sequins. She was
a large but shapely woman of uncer-
tain age; yet so pleasing withal that
the gathering l~oafers. wen In the ex-
element OF a murder. spared a few
admiring g~lances at her face.
Pm goin' up" she conhded TO her
fellows. Il belong there-they need
a sensible woman, from the way
they're screechin'. You better not fol-
low-youT do no good an IL might
git you involved" With surprising
lightness. considering her bulk. she
mounted the stairs.
The noise guided her TO the focus
OF interest; she pushed her way into
the room OF the late Captain Hanska.
and stood looking about with a pair
OF large serious eyes which took in
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-
er 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 he said calmly. Has
any n notified the police? Has any
one called up a Coroner"
IN 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 Core
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 or this woman In
her fashionable clothes-or was II 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 a minute before,
ITO the police" II read. Amy mat.
ter that concerns the bearer, Mrs.
Resale lie Grange, is to be referred
to me. l request you to give her the
greatest discretion.
INSPECTOR MARTIN M'GEE."
mot a word" pursued Resale lie
Grange. Nov mind l didn't see THE
thing, an ! don't know as much about
It as you. But it's your job to tip
me of 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 a meaning way-"you got
here just as quick as you could-not
a second later-IT stick to that. Now
get inside" She waited a moment,
before che followed him.
At that moment, Senior Estrilla
came down the stairs from hls 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. ooh,
can assiet?" 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 Rosalie lie Grange they detained
her for a time, on the ground that she
had arrived suspiciously early. The
first u~norganized search for the Grim
inal simmered down to Tommy
North. although even Mrs. Moore ad-
mitted that he had entered only a
minute before the body was discov-
cred. In the midst OF the investiga-
ton, a new %quandary presented itself.
The house was 10 be sealed while the
police investigated. The innocent
would have to find some other dwell
u g-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.
II haven't introduced myself" she
said. with easy masterful calm. but
I've Just opened the house at 442 as
a clearinghouse. You Amt going to
hold me. OF course"-this to the 20
lice-"and. anyhow. you know where
to find me In case you want me,
There's room tonight In my house for
you ALL" She turned. with her eter-
- A. A.