The state herald., 1915-09-24
CHAPTER discontinued.

honor"
The Judge, who had withdrawn into
the shadow. considered for moment,
then said:
Il cannot describe her features. for
she was heavily veiled: neither can l
describe her figure except to say that
she is tall and slender. But her dress
remember She wore purple; not an
old woman's purple. but soft shade
which did not take from her youth.
The child did not seem to belong to
her. though she held her tightly by
the hand. In age 1t appeared to be
about six-or that was the impression
received before"
The sergeant, who had been watch
Ing the speaker very closely. leaned
forward with hasty. inquiring glance
expressive OF something like conster-
nation. Was the Judge falling again
into inconsistencies?
No; for the eyes which had gone
blank had turned his way again. and
only disconnected expression which
fell from the judges lips showed that
his mind had been wandering.
Its not the same but another one;
that's ALL"
lnconsequent words. but the sergeant
meant to remember them, for with
their utterance change passed over
the Judge. and his manner. which had
been constrained and hurried during
his attempted description. became at
once more natural and therefore more
courteous.
DO you think you can find her with
such insufficient data! A woman
dressed in purple. leading little
child?"
Judge, I not only feel sure that I
can find her. but think she is found
already. Do you remember the old
tavern on the Rushville road? be.
lieve they call Il an Inn now. or
some such fancy nnme."
The Judge sat quiet, but the ser
geant. who dared not peer too closely.
noticed a sudden construction In the
fingers OF the hand with which his host
fingered a paper cutter lying on the
table between them.
THE one where"
Il respect your hesitation. Judge.
Yes. the one run by the man you sen.
fenced"
A gesture had stopped him. lie
waited respectfully for the judges
next words.
They came quickly and with stern
and solemn emphasis.
For n hideous and wholly unpio.
voked crime. Why do you mention It
and-and his tavern?'
Because OF something I have lately
heard In Its connection. You know that
the old house has been all made over
since that time and run as a place
OF resort for automobilists In search
OF light refreshments. The proprie.
tors name is Yardley. We have moth.
ing against him; the place is highly
respectable. But II harbors boarder.
permanent one. I believe. who has
occasioned no little comment No one
has ever seen her face: unless Il is
the landlords wife. She has all her
meals served In her room. and when
she goes out she wears the purple
dress and purple veil you've been talk.
Ing about Perhaps she's your visitor
Of today. Hadn't better md outr"
Has she childi Is she mothcrl"
Il haven't heard OF any child. but
Mrs. Yardley has seven
The Judges hand withdrew from the
table and for an instant the room was
80 quiet that you could hear some far.
on clock ticking out the minutes. Then
Judge ostrsnder rose and IN peremp.
tory tone said:
Tomorrow. After you hear from
mo again. Make no move tonight.
Lot mo feel that all your energies are
devoted TO securing my privacy"
The sergeant. who had sprung 70
his feet at the same instant as the
judge. east = last look about him. Gu.
riosity burning In his heart and a
sort OF desperate desire TO get all he
could out OF his present opportunity.
For he felt absolutely sure that hs
would never b. allowed to enter this
room again.
Hut the arrangement of light was
such as to hold In shadow all but the
central portion OF the room. with a
righ the sergeant dropped his eyes
from the walls he could barely dlstip.
guinh and. following Judge ostrander's
lead. passed with him under the torn
folds OF the curtain and through tho
narrow vcrtibulc whose door wna made
OF Iron. into the room where. In q
stronger blaze Of light than they had
eft, lay the body OF the dead negro
awaiting the las, riteH,
Would tho Judge pass this body. or
turn away from II toward door lead
ing ffoni7 The sergeant hnd come
In ht the rear. but he greatly desired
10 ro out front ~ this would give him
20 much additional knowledge Of ths