Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-11


/ room-Parks and the other servants.
suppose. I heard Godfrey's voice Civ
ing orders. and finally some one held
a glass to my lips and commanded me
TO drink. Again. then, / saw Godfrey
standing over me.
Feel better?" he asked.
nodded.
II don't wonder It knocked you out, -
he went on. I'm feeling shaky my
self. had them call vantine's physi-
clan. But he can't do anything"
Godfrey" / whispered. whose voice
was it-something about n woman?"
1T was Rogers. He's almost hysteri-
cal. Wen get the story as soon as he
quiets down"
Some one called him from the door.
and he turned away. leaving me star
ing blankly ut nothing. So there had
been n woman in Vantine's life! Per-
haps that was why he had never mar
ried. What ugly skeleton was to be
dragged from its closet?
But IL a woman killed vantine. the
same woman also killed D'Aurelle.
where was her hiding place? From
what ambush did she striker
-
mor OF horror seized me. l arose.
shaking, from the chair and CROPPED my
way toward the door. Godfrey heard
ME coming. swung around and. with
one glance at my face. came to me and
caught me by the arms.
He led me into the hall. and a second
glass OF brandy gave me back some
thing OF my self control. | was
ashamed of my weakness. but when
glanced at Godfrey l saw how white
his face was.
Better take a drink yourself" said.
] heard the decanter rattle on the
glass.
II don't know when l have been so
shaken" he said. setting the glass
down empty. ''lt was so grewsome-
so unexpected-and then Rogers carry
ing on like a madman. All. here's the
doctor" he added. as the front door
opened and Parks showed man in.
I knew Dr.. Hughes. OF course. re-
turned his nod and followed him and
Godfrey into the anteroom. | heard
Godfrey telling him all he knew. while
Hughes listened with incredulous face.
But it's absurd, You know" he pro-
tested. when Godfrey had finished.
Things like this don't happen here in
New York. In Florence. perhaps. in
the middle ages; but not here in the
twentieth century,"
81 can scarcely believe my own
senses" Godfrey agreed. But saw
the FrenchmaD lying here this after
noon; and now here's Vantine."
Hughes turned back to the body
In
at the injured hand.
what sort of instrument made this
wound. would you say, Mr.. Godfrey?''
he questioned at last
"a sharp instrument with two prongs.
My theory IS that the prongs are hol-
low, like a hypodermic needle. and
leave n drop or two OF poison at the
bottom of the wound. You see. a vein
has been cut"
Yes" Hughes assented. at would
scarcely be possible to pierce the hand |
here without striking a vein. One of |
the prongs would be sure TO do it,
That's the reason there are two of |
them. fancy"
But you are. of course. aware that /
no poison exists which would act so |
Iuickly?" Hughes inquired.
Godfrey looked at him strangely.
You yourself mentioned Florence a
moment ago." he said You meant. l
suppose. that such poison did at one
lime exist there:"
something of the sort, perhaps"
agreed Hughes.
well. the poison that existed in
Florence FIVE centuries ago exists here
loday. There's the proof of it, and
Godfrey pointed TO the body.
But what sort OF devilish instru-
nent is it:" cried Hughes. his nerves
giving way for an instant. his voice
shrilly. Above all. who
Yields it," Then he shook himself
osether.
There is something supernatural
bout II. something can't understand.
low does it happen that each OF the
-ictims IS struck on the right hand?
Why not on the left hand: Why the
and at ali?"
Godfrey answered with despairing
hsug.
That Is what we've got to find out
e said.
I'VE shall nave to call In the police"
rCgested Hughes. Maybe they can
Owe ~
Godfrey smiled. a little skepticai
mile. quickly suppressed.
AT least they viii have to be given
he chance" he agreed shall / Mt
end 20 IT,
Yes" said Hughes. ''and vow would
etter do il right away. The sooner
hey get here the better"
VERY WELL" assented Godfrey. and
1T the room
Hughes sat down heavily on the
ouch near the window and mopped
is face again with a shaking hand.
That was a trying half hour. Hughes
NJ or the couch. breathing heavily.
tarlng ut the floor. AS for me. | was
Of my dead friend. I remem- ,
cred Philip Vantine rs | had always ,
nown him-a kindly. witty. Christian
entieman. That such a man should
e killed like this, struck down by a c
MYSTERIOUS assassin, armed with n poi