Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-11-05
7he Mystery of
the Bou1e Cabinet
BURTON E.. STEPHENSON
Copyright. 1913. by Burton E. stevenson.

them again, n got slowly to his feet,
Parks aiding him.
Good night, gentlemen" he said
weakly, and shuffled away, leaning
heavily on Parks shoulder.
Well said |, looking at Godfrey.
What do o think of that?"
to fad 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
III have him looked AFTER l prom
ised. But l fancy he'll be afraid to
run away. Besides. it is possible he's
woman had anything to do with either
DEATH"
Godfrey turned, as he was Starting
away, and stopped to look at me.
Who did then?' he asked.
Nobody"
You mean they both suicided in that
abnormal way?"
k1lled-but not by a human being-at
least, not directly" / felt that l was
laundering hopelessly, and stopped.
Il can't tell you now, Godfrey" I
pleaded. Il haven't had time to think
IL out You've got enough for one
day"
YES" he smiled: "I've got enough
Tor one day. And now good bye. Per-
haps I'll look in on you about midnight,
on my way home, if l get through by
them
I sighted. Godfrey's energy became
a little wearing sometimes. J was al
ready longing for bed, and there re-
ma1ned SO much to be done. But he,
after a day which I knew had been
a hard one, and with a many column
story still to write, was apparently as
fresh n eager as ever.
All right" I agreed. "If YOU see a
light, come UP. If there isn't any light.
III be in bed. and I'll kill you if you
wake me-"
Conditions accepted" he laughed, as
I opened the door for aim.
Parks Joined me as I turned back into
the house.
II got Rogers to bed, SIR he said.
HE'LL be all right in the morning. But
he's a queer duck"
How long have you known him.
Parks?"
Hes been with Mr.. vantine about
five years. / don't know much about
him; he's a silent kind of fellow, keep
ing to himself = good deal and sort of
brood1ng over things. But he did his
work all right, except nee ia a while
When he keeled over like he did to-
night"
Parks" L said, suddenly, TN go
ing 70 ask you a question. You know
Mr.. 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 woman. Is there any foundation for
talk of that kind?
mo. sir" said Parks, emphatically.
beer Mr.. Vantine's valet for eight
Jnn &c n M y, 40 - - ,I - y -,-. -,
has never been mixed up with a woman
in any shape or form. l always a n
cied he'd loved a lady who died. don't
know what made me think so: but
anyhow, since I've known him. he neve,
looked at a in that way."
"Thank you, Parks l said, with a
sigh of relief. i've been through so
much today, that 1 felt 1 couldn't en-.
dure that; and now"
Beg pardon, sir said a voice ar INV
elbow; I'VE have ready sirSa
1 turned with a start to see a little
clean shaver man standing there r1lh,
bling his hands softly together ana eaz-
ing blandly up at me.
The undertaker's assistant. sir" ex-
planned Parks, seeing my look of as
constituent. He came while you and
Mr.. Godfrey were in the music ronn,
DR.. Hughes sent him.
Yes. sir" added the little man; land
we nave n corpse ready for the COT
fin. Very nice it looks, too; though if
was a hard job. Was it poison Killed
him, sir?"
Yes" 1 answered, with a feeling of
nausea, lit vas poison"
Very powerful poison, too, I should
say, sir; we didn't get here none too
soon. Where shall we nut tho boaT
sir?' 0oos'
Why not leave it where it is?"1
asked. impatiently.
VERY good. sir" said tho no, 80
presently he and his assistant took
themselves off, to my intense relief.
And now, Parks" I began, there
is something l want to say to Won,
Let us go somewhere and sit down"
Suppose we go up to the study. sir
You're looking regularly done up. If
youI permit me - say so, sir. Shall
L get you something's"
"A brand and Soda" I assented; land
bring one for yourself"
Very good, sir" n a few minutes
later we We're sitting opposite each
other in the room where vanuine ~:
offered me similar refreshments NOT
many hours before. l looked at Parks
as ne sat there, and turned over in nv
mind what had to say to him. Iliked
the man. and l felt he could be trusted.
MI ~ n " cfn ln1