Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-06-11

way out"
That's It." He nodded. You go to
bed and I'll think. I'm trying to think
now. but this heat is sufrocating me
and my head Is tired"
Despite the breathless oppression of
the night. she sh!vercd. II never can
meet them now. and ! don't see how
you will dare to. Knowing that you
were wrong"
"Don't" he pleaded "The other was
bad enough. but this Tell me what
to do"
II can't. don't know myself All
can see is that those men will never
cense to believe. no matter what you
tell them"
AS she prepared for bed an hour later
she heard him still stirring about in
his quarters. but afterward she did
not detect his cautious footsteps when
he stole out Of his chamber. closing the
door softly behind him.
Kirk was reused from n heavy,
senseless sIumber the next morning by
vigorous rnpping at his door lie
opened the door and Runnels rushed
In.
where did you go after left you
last night?"
II came here. of course" AS the
memory Of the previous night swept
over Kirk he scowled.
"Did you stay here?"
mo. went out again. and was ont
nearly all night trying to walk it Off
Runnels' face blanched. and he drew
back.
",rhen, Of course. you know
"What7"
"About Cortlandt He's dead"
Dead? When? Where? How did II
happen?"
Nobody knows just how. He was
found on the sea wall near Alfarez's
house, shot"
'Shot! Good Lord!"
ibid you see Cortlandt again after /
left you?" Runnes swallowed hard.
Kirk whirled about and faced him.
"Grent heavens! No! See here. that
idea Is ridiculous!''
tunnels sank weakly into a chair
and mopped his face. when you
said you'd gone out again it Knocked
me fiat. understand"
Il can prove where I was. for Allan
was with me. couldn't sleep. SO l
tried to walk off my excitement. No.
no; couldn't do thing like that.
thought last night that ! could. butt
couldn't, really"
I'm afraid Wade will tell all about
the party If we don't stop him.
."rhen we'd better hunt him up. =
Kirk resumed his dressing. while Run
nels consulted his watch.
mo. 5 is due in twenty minutes.
Well probably find him at the Office
Together they fastened to the rail
road building. Runnels telling all he
knew of the tragedy as they went
along Cortlandt's body. it seemed. had
been found about daylight by Slig-
goty policeman. who had identified it.
Becoming panic stricken at the impor-
lance of his discovery, he had sounded
the alarm. then reported directly to the
governor whose house was close by
The whole city was alive with the
news. The police were buZZing like
bees Rumors OF suicide. murder. rob.
berry, were about. hut no one seemed
to know anything definite.
cit was suicide" Kirk averred. with
conviction THE man was insane last
night, and that accounts for what he
said about me- He's been sick for Il
long time"
.Tf those boys will only keep their
mouths shut" Runne!s said nnxiously
"rhere's no telling what these Spig-
gotes might do If they heard about
that row."
"Cortlandt was an American"
But 1t happened in Panama. and ii
would be their affair"
Although 1t was Sunday. the -four
young fellows who had taken part in
the entertainment on the night before
had gathered in the office and mt the
appearance of Runnels greeted him
eagerly. Toward Kirk. however. they
maintained a disheartening constraint
The acting superintendent began tc
caution them tersely.
Its bad business said Runncls
"and it's something for one don't
want to be mixed up in. I've heard
rumors already about some sort OF a
quarrel Mt our party. so I'm afraid you
fellows have been talking"
Wade acknowledged 1t recklessly
Eyes. III answer for my part. and I'm
not going to make any promise Of Sc
crecy either"
Into the office behind them came Ra
mon Alfarez and two Panaman police
men, one evidently sergeant.
"Eh. there you are!" Alfarez cried as
he caught sight Of Kirk. "You are ar.
rest'!"
What forY'
Gentlemen. you will be so kind as
to geeve the names. yes? The lodge
Will desire to make Inquiries regarding
those sopper to Senior Cortlan' las
night"
At that moment the building begar
AT Bremen, Ga, w. M. Col
den, of the Equitable Life As