New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-02-25
CHAPTER XIV,
Within the Tolls.

ed to Mary and took her hand
in his. His arm swept about
her in 4 protecting embrace-just in
time or she would have fallen.
A whisper came from her quivering
hps Her face was close to his. else
he could not have caught the uncertain
nurmuring. The muscles Of her face
twitched. She rested supinely against
him as if bereft Of any strength OF
body or Of soul. Yet. in the intensity
OF her utterance, the feeble whisper
struck like Shrek of horror
"l-l-never saw any one killed be-
forer'
Before he could utter the soothing
words that rose to his lips. Dick was
interrupted by slight sound at the
door. Instantly he was all alert to
meet the exigencies Of the situation.
He stood by the couch. bending for
ward little rs if in posture Of init
mate fondness. He heard the noise
again presently. now so near that he
made sure Of being overheard. so at
once he spoke with a forced cheerful
ness in his infection
II tell you. Mary" he declared. "ev.
crything's going to be all right for
you and me. 1t was bully of you to
come here to me like this"
: The girl made no response Dick. in
nervous apprehension as to the issue,
sought to bring her to realization Of
fhn
them.
Talk to me-" he commanded very
softly. They'll lie here in minute
When they come in pretend you just
came here in order to meet me. Try,
Mary. You must. dearest! Then
again his voice rose to loudness as he
continued: Why. I've been trying all
day to see you.7~And now here we are
together, just as was beginning to
get realty discouraged. Iknew my-fa-
ther will eventually
He was interrupted by the swift
swinging open of the hallway door,
Burke stood just within the library, a
revolver pointed menacingly.
Hands up. all Of your The inspec-
u.
The belligerent expression of his face
vanished abruptly as his eyes fell on
Dick standing by the couch and Mary
reclining there in limp helplessness.
What are you doing in this house
at this time Of night?" Dick demanded.
Il recognize you. Inspector Burke.
But you must understand that there
fn hat Il
It seems to me. sir, that You exceed
your authority by such an intrusion as
this
Burke waved his revolver ward
Mary
whats she doing here?' he asked.
You forget yourself, inspector. This
rs my wife. She has the right to be
with me-he- husband!'
"Where's your father?' he questioned
roughly.
in bed. naturally was the answer.
Il ask you again. What are you doing
here at this time Of night?"
Lob, call your father" Burke d.
rected.
Its late Dick objected I'D rath-
er not disturb him, if you don't mind
Suddenly be smiled very winningly
and spoke with a good assumption Of
righteousness.
inspector" he said briskly. Il see
III have to tell you the truth. It's
this: I've persuaded my wife to 90
away with me- She's going to give
all that other sort of thing up. Yes.
were going away together So. you
see. we've got to talk it over. Now.
then. Inspector. if you'll come back in
the morning.
AS he spoke the white beam Of the
flashing searchlight from the tower
fell between the undrawn draperies of
the octagonal window. The light star
tied the inspector again, as it had done
once before that same night. His gaze
followed it instinctively. So within the
second he saw the still form lying
there on the floor.
There was no mistaking that awful.
motionless. crumpled posture The in
spector leaped to the switch by the
door and turned on the lights Of the
chandelier. In the next moment he
had reached the door of the passage
across the room. and his whistle sound
ed shrill. His voice beloved re-en-
forcement to the blast @
Cassidy. Cassidy
Cassidy came rushing In with the
other detectives
II why. what's it all mean. chicf?" he
questioned
They've got Griggs" Burke answer
ed. There was exceeding rage in his
voice aS lie spoke from his kneeling
posture beside the body. to which he
had hurried after the summons to his
aids. TN break you for this. Cas-
sidy.' he declared fereely. Why
didn't you get here on the run When
you heard the shot?''