The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1914-04-17

az WIZ hfSA AA1 NV ~ 49, !
thick walking type. Judging from
Burton's description she must have
been about your size and figure, Mrs.
Wrandall. Isn't that so, Mrs. Bur
The innkeeper's wife spoke. yes,
Mr.. Harden. I'd say so myself. About
five feet six, I'd judge; rather slim
Mrs. Wrandall was watching the
woman's face. 81 am FIVE feet Six
she said. as if answering a question.
The sheriff cleared his throat some
what needlessly.
Burton says she acted as if she
we're a lady" he went on. Not the
kind that usually ONE out here on
such expeditions, he admits. She did
not speak to anyone, except once in
very low tones to the man she was
with, and then she was standing by
the fireplace out in the main office,
quite a distance from the desk. She
went upstairs alone, and he gave some
orders to Burton before following her.
That was the last time Burton saw
her. The waitress vent up with a spe-
cially prepared supper about half an
hour later"
1T seems quite clear. Mrs. Wran-
dali, that she robbed the man after
stabbing him." said the coroner.
Mrs. Wrandall started. Then she
was not a lady, after all she said
quickly. There was a note of relief
in her voice. 1t was as if she had
put aside a half-formed conclusion.
His pockets were empty. Not a
penny had been left. Watch, cuff
links. scarf pin. cigarette case, purse
and bill folder-all gone. Burton had
seen most of these articles in the
office"
Isn't it-but no. Why should
be the one to offer a suggestion that
might be construed as a defense for
this woman?"
You were about to suggest, madam,
that some one else might have taken
the valuables-is hat it," cried the
sheriff.
Had you thought of it, Mr.. Sheriff.
Il had not. 1t isn't reasonable. No
one about this place is suspected. We
have thought OF this. however: the
murderess may have taken all oi
these things away with her in order
to prevent immediate Identification OIL
her victim. She may have been clever
enough for that, 1t would give her a
start"
Not an unreasonable conclusion
when you stop to consider, Mr.. Sher
if, that the nan took the initiative in
that very particular" said Mrs. Wran
dali In such a self-contained way tina
the three men looked at her in won
der. Then she came abruptly to hel
feet. 1T is very late, gentlemen.
am ready to go upstairs, Mr.. Sheriff.
II must warn you, madam, that Mr.
Drake is reasonably certain that it /:
your husband" said the coroner IN
comfortably. You may not be pre-
pared for the shock that
Il shall not faint, DR.. Sheet. If I
is my husband l shall ask you to leave
me alone in the room with him for
little while The final word traileC
out into a long, tremulous wall, show
ing how neal she was to the breakin.
point In her wonderful effort al self
control. The men looked away hast
lily. They heard her draw two o
three deep, ~quavering breaths; the.
could almost feel the tension that shI
was exercising over herself.
Tho dnnfnr fprrnnI offnr n rDor,ap
and spoke very gently. but with pre-
fessional frmness. You must no
think of venturing out in this wretche,
night, madam. 1t would be the wors
kind Of folly. Surely you will b
guided by me-by your own commo'
sense. Mrs. Burton will be wit
YOU"
Thank you. Dr.. Sheet" she intel
posed calmly. IF what we all fea
should turn out to be the truth.
could not stay here. l could nc
breathe. / could o live. II, on tn
other hand, Mr.. Drake Is mistaken,
shall stay. But If 1t is my husband.
with him, even though he be dead.
do not expect you to understand m
{ feelings. 1t would be asking TO
much of men-too much"
! II think | understand" murmure
Drake.
Come" said the sheriff. arousin
himself with an effort.
She moved swiftly after him. Drak
and the coroner, following close b
! hind with Mrs. Burton, could not TAX
their eyes from the slender, gracefl
| figure. She was a revelation 10 then
Feeling as they did that she was abol
r. to be confronted by the most appallir
crisis imaginable, they could not b.
marvel at her composure. Drake
A mind dwelt on the stories of the gull
= tine and the heroines y-ho went up
r it in those bloody days without
S much as a culver of dread. Someho'
t to him, this woman was a heroine.
They passed into the hall ar
D mounted the stairs. At the far er