Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-07-03

he remarked. "A blush Is not much
to go upon. I'm afraid we shall have
to resort to the shadow business and
that is your work, not mine"
But here the door opened and a
boy brought in line which had been
left at the desk. 1t related to the
very matter then engaging them, and
ran thus
! Il see that information is desired as
to whether any person was seen to
stoop to the lobby floor last night at
or shortly after the critical moment
OF Miss Challoner's fall in the half
story above. / can give such infor-
nation. ! was in the lobby at the time,
| and in the height of the confusion fol-
lowing this alarming incident, re-
member seeing lady--one of the
new arrivals (there were several COM
ing in at the time)-stoop quickly
down and pick up something from the
floor. / thought nothing of 1t at the
time, and SO paid little attention to
/ her appearance. ] can only recall
| the suddenness with which she
stopped and the color of the cloak she
wore It was red. and the whole gar
ment was voluminous. II you wish fur
Their particulars-thoug in truth, l
have no more to give, you can find me
In room $3.50.
"HENRY A. M'ELROY."
"Humphl This should simplify our
task" was Mr.. Gryce's comment, as
he handed the note erto Sweetwa-
ter. you can easily find out If the
lady, now on the point of departure,
can be Identified with the one de-
scribed by Mr.. McElroy II she can, l
am ready to meet her anywhere"
And SO it happened that just as Mrs.
Watkins was watching the wheeling
out of her trunks, there appeared in
the doorway before her, an elderly
gentleman, whose expression, always
benevolent, save at moments when
benevolence would be quite out of
keeping with the situation, had for
some reason, SO marked an effect up
on her, that she colored under his eye,
and, indeed, showed such embarrass-
ment, that all doubt of the propriety
of his intrusion vanished from the old
mans mind, and with the ease of one
only too well accustomed to such
scenes, he kindly remarked;
Am l speaking to Mrs. Watkins
Of Nashville?"
you are" she faltered, with anoth-
er rapid change of color. IL am
| just leaving. I hope you will excuse
| me. Il
II wish could he smiled, hobbIing
In and confronting her quietly in her
own room. But circumstances make
| it quite imperative that should have
a few words with you on topic which
| need not be disagreeable to you, and
probably will not be. My name is
Gryce. A beautiful and charming
young woman died here last night.
May I ask if you knew herr"
81? l never saw the young lady.
| Why do you ask? / do not recognize
your right. II
| Mr.. Gryce made one of his low bows
and propping himself against the
civilly:
Il had rather not force my rights
thought perhaps you could tell me
| something which would aid me in my
effort to elicit the real facts of the
case. You were crossing the lobby at
| the time"
yes" She raised her head. so
were dozen others"
| "Madam"-the interruption was
made in his kindliest tones, but in
way which nevertheless suggested au-
thority. Something was picked up
| from the floor at that moment. Am l
not correct? Didn't you see a certain
person. will mention no names
stoop and pick up something from
the lobby floor?"
mo" The word came out with
! startling violence. But her lips quiv-
cred, and her cheeks were white, too
white now for simple indignation.
"Then l have made a big mistake"
! apologized the ever-courteous detect
| i've. viii you pardon me? 1t would
have settled very serious question if
it could be found that the object thus
! picked up was the weapon which
hiiCu hioo Sudiioloi- hat 10 Ily ca
euse for the trouble | have given you"
The door burst open, and young
girl bounded into the room, with the
merry cry:
All ready, mother. I'm glad we
are going to the Clarendon. hate ho-
tells where people die almost before
your eyes"
The cloak which enveloped the girl
was red, and full enough to be called
voluminous.
who is this?" demanded the girl,
her indignant chances flashing from
one to the other.
Il don't know" faltered the mother
in very evident distress. He says
he has right to ask us questions
| and he has been asking uuastions