Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-11-04

this is the woman don't hesitate to say
So"
I've told you all l know, Mr.. Lester"
said Rogers, but he did not meet my
eyes. And I'm feeling pretty bad. L
think ia better be getting to bed
Yes. that's best" agreed Godfrey
promptly. Parks will help you,'' and
he held out his and for the photo
graph.
Rogers relinquished it with evident
though to ask a question, then closed
them again, and got slowly to his feet,
Parks aiding him.
GOOD night. gentlemen" he said
weakly. and shuffled away, leaning
heavily on Parks shoulder.
Welt" said l. looking at Godfrey.
What do o think of that?''
He's lying, of course. We've got
to find out why he's lying
and bring it home to him. But
It's getting late-I must get down to the
office. One word. Lester-be sure Rog-
ers doesn't give you the slip"
IN nave him looked after" l prom
ised. But 1 fancy he'll be afraid to
run away. Besides, it is possible he's
telling the truth. 1 don't believe any
woman had anything to do with either
DEATH"
Godfrey turned, as he was starting
away. and stopped to look at me.
- WV AVN. IO ttoASQ.
Nobody"
You mean they both suicided in that
abnormal way?"
No, it wasn't ~suicide-they were
kllled-but not by a human being-at
least. not directly" 1 felt thai L was
floundering hopelessly, and stopped.
pleaded. II haven't had time to think
1T out. You've got enough for one
day"
YES" he smiled; I've got enough
for one day. And now good bye. Per-
maps III look in on you about midnight,
on my way home, if 1 get through by
then"
l sighted. Godfrey's energy became
Q little wearing sometimes. L was al
ready longing for bed, and there re-
NAMED SO much to be done. But he,
after a day which 1 knew had been
a hard one. and with a many column
fresh and eager as ever.
All right 1 agreed. "If you see a
light. come UP. If there isn't any light.
I'll be in bed. and I'll kill you if you
wake me-"
Conditions accepted" he laughed. as
I opened the door for him.
Parks Joined me as l turned back into
the house.
Il got Rogers to bed, SIR he said.
Hell be all right in the morning. But
les a queer duck"
How long have o known him,
Parks?"
He's been with Mr.. vantine about
five years. 1 don't know much about
him; he's q silent kind of fellow. keep
ing to himself a good deal and sort of
broodins over things. But he did his
work all right, except once in a while
When he keeled over like he did to-
night"
Parks" I said, suddenly, I'm go
Ing to ask O a question. You know
MIR. Vantine was a friend Of mine. and
l thought a great deal of him. Now.
what with this story Rogers tells, and
one or two other things, there is talk of
a ON Is there any foundation for
talk Of that kind?
NO, SIR said Parks, emphatically.
i've been Mr.. V%antine's valet for eight
years and more. and in all that time he
mas never been mixed up with a woman
IN n shape or form. / always fam
cied he'd loved a lady who died. don't
Know what made me think so; but
anyhow, since I've known him, he never
looked at a woman-not in that way"
.Ihank you. Parks" I said, with a
sigh Of relief. I've been through so
much today, that 1 felt I couldn't en-
dure that; and now
beg pardon, sir" said a voice at my
elbow; w have everything ready. SIR,
! turned with a start to see a little.
clean shaven man standing there, rub
! II his hands softly together and gaz-
Ing blandly up at me.
The undertaker's assistant. sir" ex-
plained Parks: seeing my look OF as
Mr.. Godfrey were in the music room.
DR.. Hughes sent him.
yes. SIR" added the little man; land
we have the corpse ready for the cof-
FIN. Very nice 1t looks. too: though II
was a hard job. Was it poison killed
yes" I answered, with a feeling Of
nausea. 1T was poison"
Very powerful poison. too. I should
say, sir; we didn't get here none too
soon: Where shall we put the body,
Why not leave it where it is?"1
Very good. sir" said the man, and
presently he and his assistant tool
themselves off. to my intense relief.
And now. Parks" began. there
IS something I want to say to you.
Let us go somewhere and sit down.
suppose we go up to the study, sir.
You're looking regularly done UP, ii
youIl permit me to say so. sir. Shall
l get you something 2"
"A brand and soda," I assented: "and
bring n for yourself"
e good. sir" and a few minutes
la .Sa we We're sitting opposite each
oifered me similar refreshments not
many hours before. I looked at Parks
as ne sat there. n turned over in INV
mind n I had to say to him. / liked
sne man: and ! felt he could be trusted.
Nov. Parks" began asain' ret
ting down my glass, what I have ~
9 GO you is very serious. and / want
you to keep II to yourself. 81 know that
9 were devoted to Mr.. Vantine-i
may - We'll tell Q that he has re-
1 mom0eH90 Won IN hfa -aa1 $780, -