Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-03-19

e. Stevenson
you'd better tell us all You know. If
say So"
1--WE told you all l know. Mr.. Les
ter" said Rogers. but he did not meet
my eyes. And I'm feeling pretty
bad. | think I'd better be getting to
bed
Yes, that's best" agreed Godfrey
promptly. Parks will help YOU" and
he held out his hand for the photo
graph.
Rogers %relinquiShcd it with evident
reluctance, Good night. gentlemen
he said weakly and shuffled away.
leaning heavily on Parks shoulder.
WELL said |, looking at Godfrey.
He's lying. Of course We've go to
find out why he's lying and bring it
home to him. But it's getting late. l
must get down to the office. One
word. IeSter-he sure Rogers doesn't
give you TIL" slip"
I'll have him looked after" | prom
Used. But | fancy he'll he afraid to
run away. Besides. it is possible he's
telling the truth. | don't believe any
woman had anything to do with either
DEATH"
who did. then" asked Godfrey.
Nobody"
"You mean they both suicided in that
abnormal way"
mo. it wasn't suicide-they We're
killed-but not by a human being-at
least. not directly" | felt that | was
f%oundering hopelessly and stopped. 81
can't tell YOU now, Godfrey" I plead
ed. 81 haven't had time to think it
out. You've got enough for one day"
Eyes" he smiled; 'I've got enough
for one day. And now goodby. Per-
hapS I'll look in on you about midnight,
on my way home. if l get through by
then"
| was already longing for bed and
there remained so much to be done.
But he. after Il day which | knew had
been IL hard one. and With Il many col
umn story still to write. was apparent
ly as fresh and eager as ever.
".All right" agreed. IF you see a
light. rome 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.
us | opened the door for him.
Parks joined me as | turned back
into the house after Godfrey left.
Il got Rogers to bed. sir" he said.
He'll be all right in the morning.
But he's Il queer duck
How long have you known him,
Parks:"
He's been With Mr.. Nantine about
five years. ! don't know much about
him. He's Il silent kind of fellow.
keeping to hisself Il good deal and
sort of breeding over things. But he
did his work all right. except once in
Il while when he keeled over like he
did tonight"
Parks said suddenly. I'm going
to ask you Il question. You know
that MI. Nantine was Il friend of mine.
and | thought Il great deal of him.
Now, what with this story Rogers tells
and II or two other things. there is
talk of Il woman. Is there any foun-
dation for talk of that kind?"
mo. sir" said Parks emphatically.
I've been Mr.. Vantine's valet for
eight years and more, and in all that
time he has never been mixed up with
Il m III any shape or form. l al
ways fancied he'd loved a lady who
died"
THANK you. Parks" I said with a
sigh of relief. I've been through so
much today that felt l couldn't en-
dure that. And now
BEG pardon. sir" said a voice at
my elbow. 1--WE have everything
ready. sir
l turned with a start to see a little,
clean shaven man.
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 room.''
where shall we put the body, sir?"
asked the
why not leave it where it is?" I
asked impatiently.
VERY good. sir" said he, and pres
emily the undertaken and his assistant
took themselves off. to my intense re-
lief.
"And now. Parks" l began, there is
something l want to say to you. Let
go somewhere and sit down."