The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-07-02
CHAPTER VI.
The Gathering Of the Clouds.


gloved hand, Il suppose you know
you've heard all about the discovery
today at the wood? need not tell
you anything about It,"
Eyes, Miss Leithcourt, I only wish
you would tell me about it." l said
gravely, inviting her to chair and
seating myself. Who is the MANI"
"Ah! that we don't know" she re-
piled, pale-faced and anxious. II
wanted to see you alone-that's the
reason / am here. They must not
know at home that I've been over
here"
"Why, is there any service I can
render your"
Eyes. A very great one," she re-
sponded with quick eagerness. q
well-the fact is, have summoned
courage to come to you and beg OF
you to help me. / am in great dis
tress-and I have not a single friend
whom can trust-in whom can con-
! fde."
Her lips moved nervously, but no
sound came from them, so agitated
was she, so eager to tell me some
thing; and yet at the same time reluc.
tant to take me into her confidence
1T concerns the terrible discovery
made up in Rannoch wood" she said
in hoarse, nervous voice at last.
THAT unknown man was murdered
stabbed to the heart. l have suspi-
cions."
"Of the murdered mans IDENTIFY"
mo. OF the assassin. I want you
to help me, II you will"
Most certainly" responded. but
| II you believe you know the assassin
you probably know something Of the
victim?"
"Only that he looked like a for
eigner."
Then you have seen him?" ex-
claimed, much surprised.
My remark caused her to hold her
breath for an instant. Then she an
swered, rather lamely, 1t seemed to
me:
From his features and complexion I
guessed him to be an Italian. saw
him after the keepers had found him."
Besides" she went on, "the stiletto
was evidently an Italian one, which
would almost make it appear that a
foreigner was the assassin"
as that your own suspicion?"
mo"
"Why?"
She hesitated moment, then in a
low, eager voice she said:
Because | have already seen that
knife in another persons possession"
"Then what is your theory regard
] ing the AFFAIR."" inquired.
/ at seems certain that the poor fell
low went to the wood by appointment,
and was killed. The affair interested
me, and as soon as l recognized the
old Italian knife In the hand of the
keeper, l went up there and looked
about. am glad did so, for found
something which seems to have es-
capped the notice of the detectives"
And what's that?" l asked eagerly.
why, about three yards from the
pool of blood where the unfortunate
foreigner was found is another small
pool of blood where the grass and
| ferns around are all crushed down as
though there had been struggle
there"
There may have been a struggle at
that spot. and the man may have stag.
| gered some distance before he fell
dead"
mot If he had been struck in the
heart, as they say. He would fall,
would he not?" she suggested. mo.
The police seem very dense, and this
plain fact has not yet occurred to
them. Their theory is the same as
what you suggest, but my own is some
thing quite different, Mr.. Gregg l be-
lieve that a second person also fell
VICTIM" she added in low, distinct
! tone.
l gazed at her open-mouthed. Did
she, l wondered, know the actual
truth? Was she aware that the woman
who had fallen there had disappeared
"A second person!" | echoed. as
though in surprise. Then do you be.
lieve that double murder was com
mitted?"
1 uldN MY llOhi thO ioN,
that the young man, on being struck
! in the heart, could not have gone such
a distance as that which separates the
one mark from the other"
:, But he might have been slightly
we Jded-on the hand, or In the face
at I'm. and then at the spot where
he was Found struck fatally" sug
gested.
She shook her head obviously, but
made no reply to my argument. Her
confidence In her own surmises made
1t quite apparent that by some un
known means she was aware OF the
second victim. Indeed. a few moments
later she said to me:
1T is for this reason, Mr.. Gress, hat
have sought you in confidence. ".
body must know that have come herr
to you, or they would suspect; and Il
suspicion fell upon me 1t would bring