Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-11

were all lit. He was looking at a ney
picture he'd bought. but he left
right a way and came out into the hal
II don't want to be disturbed. Rog
ers.' he said and came in here ant
shut the door after him.
"It was maybe twenty minutes afte
that that the doorbell rang. and whel
opened the door there was a woman
standing on the steps"
Did you know her?" questioned
Grady.
Rogers loosened his. collar with /,
convulsive movement.
mo. sir. I'd never seen her before.
he answered hoarsely.
Describe her"
''She wore a heavy veil. sir, so that
couldn't see her very we'll: but the frst
thing 1 noticed was her eyes-they
were so bright. they seemed to burr
right through me. Her face locke ed
white behind her veil. and could see
how red her lips were-l didn't IKE
her looks. sir. from the first
How was she dressesl?''
''In a dark gown. sir. cut so skinny
that knowed she was French before
she spoke"
All" said Grady. "She was French.
was sheT"
Yes. sir; though she could speak
some English She asked for Mr.. VAN
tine. L told her Mr.. vantine was busy.
And then she said something very fast
about how she must see him. and all
the time she kept edging in and in, till
the first thing 1 knew she was inside
the door. and then she just pulled the
door out of my hand and shut it. L
must see Mistaire Vangtine.' she says.
very fast. L must see Mistaire Wang
tine. 1t is most necessaire that 1 see
Mistaire Yangtine.'
Just then Mr.. Vantine opened the
door there and came ont into the hall.
What's all this. Rogers?' he says.
who is this partyT
But before / could answer, that
wildcat had rushed over to him and
begun to reel off string OF French so
fast 1 wondered how she got her
breath. And Mr.. yantine looked at
her kind Of surprised at first. and
then he got more interested. and finally
he asked her in here and shut the door.
and that was the last saw of them"
You mean you didn't let the woman
out?" demanded Grady.
Yes. sir, that's just what I mean.
thought If Mr.. Vantine wanted to
talk with her. well and good: that was
his business, not mine. So l went back
to the pantry to help the cook with
the silver. expecting to hear the bell
every minute. But the bell didn't ring.
and after maybe half an hour l came
out into the hall again to see If the
woman had gone, and 1 walked past
the door of this room, but didn't hear
nothing; and then i went on to the
front door and was surprised to find it
wasn't latched."
gested Grady.
1T was a snap lock. sir. When that
woman slammed it shut / heard 1t
catch"
What did you do them"
"I closed the door, sir, and then come
back along the hall. felt uneasy.
some way, and | stood outside the
door there listening. But l couldn't
hear nothing. and then | tapped, but
there wasn't no answer. So l just
opened the door and looked in. and the
first thing 1 see was him. l was so
scared I couldn't scarcely stand. sir.
But managed to get TO the foot OF the
stairs and yell for Parks. and he came
down, and that's all l remem-
Der, SIR"
THE woman wasn't here?"
mo. sir
Did you look through the rooms:"
NO. sir. When | found the front
door opened / knew she'd gone out.
She hadn't shut the door because she
was afraid I'd hear her"
That sounds probable" agreed Ora
iy. But what makes you think she
killed vantine?"
well. sir" answered Rogers slowly.
Il guess I ougbtn't to have said that.
But finding the door open that way
md then coming on Mr.. vantine sort
IF upset me- didn't know just what
was saying"
You say you never saw the woman
1efore?"
Never. sir"
Had she ever been here before?"
II don't think SO. sir The first thing
the asked was IL this was where Mr.
Iantine lived"
Would you know this woman If you
aw her again."
Rogers besitakSl.
Il wouldn't yve to say sure, sir" he
answered at Vast. II might and
night not
You say you didn't search these
ooms:"
NO. sir: didn't come inside the
Ioor. / was afraid"
Did Parks come in:"
NO sir; guess he felt the same
way l did,
Then how did you know yantine |
vas dead? Why didn't you try TO
clip him.
"One look was enough to tell me that |
rasn't no USE" said Rogers and glanc- |
with visible horror at the crumpled |
orm on the door.
There's one thing I don't under |
tand." said Grady. ''and that is why \
'antine should want all these lights. |
L. Ia. T..