Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-14

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I bad. think I'd better he getting to
I bed"
YES, that's best" agreed Godfrey
/ promptly. Parks will help you" and
I he held out his hand for the photo
/ graph.
Rogers relinquished it with evident
\ reluctance Good night. gentlemen -
I he said weakly and shuffied away,
leaning heavily on Parks shoulder.
Well said I. looking at Godfrey.
Hes lying. OF course. We've go TO
/ find out why he's lying and bring It
home to him. But it's getting late.
must get down to the office. One
word. Lester-be sure Rogers doesn't
give you the slip
III have him looked after" ] prom
Used. But I fancy he'll be afraid to
run away Besides, it IS possible he's
I telling the truth. I 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:"
"NO. IL wasn't suicide-they were
kIlled-but not by human being-at
least. not directly" l felt that 1 was
founderinG hopelessly and stopped. II
can't tell you now. Godfrey" 1 plead
ed II haven't had time TO think it
out. You've got enough for one day"
Yes" he smiled; i've got enough
for one day. And now goodby. Per
haps I'll look in on you about midnight.
on nv way home. II l get through by
then"
was already longing for bed and
there remained so much 10 be done.
But he. after a day which / knew had
been n hard one. and with many col
umn story still TO write, was apparent
" as fresh and eager rs ever.
"AH right agreed. IF you see
light. come up. II there isn't any light
I'll be I'm bed. aud I'll kill you IL you
wake me-"
Conditions accepted" be laughed.
as l opened the door for him.
Parks Joined me as I turned back
into the house after Godfrey left.
II got Rogers 10 bed. sir he said.
He'll be al right IN the morning.
But he's a queer duck"
How long have you known him.
Parks:"
Hes been with Mr.. Vnntine about
FIVE years. don't know much about
him. He's n silent kind Of fellow.
keeping 20 hisself n good deal and
sort OF brooding over things But he
did his work all right. except once In
n while when he kecied over like he
did tonight"
Parks" / said suddenly. I'm going
10 ask you q question. You know
that Alr. Vantiue was a friend OF mine.
and I thought 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 fOun-
dation for talk Of that kind:"
$50. sir said Parks emphatlcally.
I've been Mr.. Vantine's valet for.
eight years and more. and in all that
time he has never been mixed mp with
a woman IN any shape or form. nj
ways faucied he'd loved a lady who
died"
'.Thank you. Parks ] said with
sigh OF relief. I've been through so
much today that / felt / couldn't en-
dure that. And now
Beg pardon. sir" said a voice at
nv elbow. We have everything
ready. sir
turned with a start TO see n little.
clean shaver man
THE uudertaker's assistant. sir" ex-
plairsd Parks. seeing my look OF as
constituent. He came while you and
Ny. Godfrey were I'm the music room.i
where shall We put the body. sir:"
Eke6 the man.
why not leave # where It is:' ,
asked impntiently.
VERY good. sir" said he. and pres !
emily the undertaken and his assistant /
took themselves Of. 20 my intense re !
lief
And now. ParIs.'' began. there is
something / want TO say 10 You. Let
go somewhere and sit down
Suppose we 90 up 20 the study. sir.
You're looking regularly done up. II
you'u permit me 10 say so. sir.
A few minutes later we were sitting
opposite each other in the room where
Vantine and ] bad sat not many
hours before. ] liked Parks, and felt
be could be trusted. AT any rate.
had 20 take the risk.
Vow. Parks" / hngan again. what
lelve 10 shy 20 you Is very serious.
and 7 want yOu To keep IL 20 yourself
know that You were devoted 10 Mr..
Vautine. may as wei tell you that
20 has reIlembere you in his VIII. I
I'm sure You are willing 10 do any
hing II your power 10 help solve the