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

Time. Circumstances, and q Villains
Heart.
Our nrst difficulty IL this. We
must prove motive. Now, l do not
think 1t will be SO very hard to show
that this Brotherson cherished feel.
ings Of revenge towards Miss Chal-
loner. But I have to acknowledge
right here and now that the most skill
full and vigorous pumping Of the jani-
tor and such other tenants OF the
Hicks street tenement az have dared
to approach, fails to show that he has
ever held any communication with
Mrs. SPOTS, or even knew Of her ex'
istence until her remarkable death at
tracted his attention"
"Humph! We will set that down.
then. as so much against u.s."
The next, and this il a bitter pill
too. Is the almost insurmountable diff
ficulty already recognized Of determin'
ing how a man. without approaching
his victim, could manage to infiict a
mortal stab in her breast. No cloak
OF complete invisibility has yet been
found, even by the cleverest criminals.
But there's an answer to everything,
and I'm sure there's an answer to this.
Remember his business. He's an in
ventor, with startling ideas. Oh. l
know that am prejudiced; but wait
and see! Miss Challoner was we'll rid
OF him even at the cost Of her life."
she loved him. Even her father be-
lieves that now. Some lately discov-
cred letters have come to light to
prove that she was by no means so
heart free as he supposed. One Of
her friends. It seems, has also con-
fided to him that once. while she and
Miss Challoner were sitting together,
she caught Miss Challoner in the act
Of scribbling capitals over q sheet OF
paper. They were all BIS with the
exception Of here and there a nearly
turned o, and when her friend twitted
her with her fondness for these two
letters, and suggested pleasing
monogram, Miss Challoner answered,
o. B. transferring the letters, as you
see) are the initials of the finest man
in the world"
Gosh! Has he heard this story"
Il don't think 80. 1t was told me In
confidence"
Told you. Mr.. Gryce: Pardon my
curiosity"
"By Mr.. Challoner."
"Oh! by Mr.. Challoner."
HE is greatly distressed at having
the disgraceful suggestion Of suicide
attached to his daughters name. He
sent for me in order to inquire II any
thing could be done to reinstate her
in public opinion. He evidently does
not like Brotherson either"
And what-what did you-say?
asked Sweetwater, with a hating ut
terance and his face full Of thought.
II simply quoted the latest author
ity on hypnotism. that no person even
In hypnotic sleep could be Influenced
by another to do what was antagonis-
tic to his natural instincts"
--latest authority. That doesn't
mean a final one. Surprising that 1t
was hypnotism! But that wouldn't
account for Mrs. Spots death. Her
wound certainly was not self-inhict-
ed one"
How can you be sure"',
There was no weapon found In the
room, or in the court. The snow was
searched and the children too. No
weapon, Mr.. Gryce. not even q paper
cutter. Besides-but how did Mr..
Challoner take what you said? Was
he satisfied with this assurance" 1
HE had to be. didn't dare to hold
out any hope based on so unsubstan-
tial a theory. But the interview had
this effect upon me. II the possibility
remains of fixing guilt elsewhere than
on Miss Challoner's inconsiderate i'm
pulse, am ready to devote any
amount Of time and strength to the
work. To see this grieving father re-
lieved from the worst part Of his bur-,
den Ii worth some effort and now you
know why l have listened so eagerly
to you. Sweetwater. l will 90 with
you to the superintendent. We may
not gain his attention and again we
may. II we don't-but we won't cross
that bridge prematurely. When will
you be ready for this busineas?"
81 must be at headquarters tomor-
row."
Good, then let It be tomorrow. A
taxicab, sveetwater. The subway for
the young. l can no longer manage
the stairs"
CHAPTER xiv.