Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-07-31

Stolidity, almost stupidity charac-
terized the deputy as the constable
and the provincial detective ap-
preached.
Constable Walston has told me
your story Mr.. Darlington" Calnon
was very courteous. 81 am aware he
has taken a grave responsibility in
OBTAINING an officer of the United
States government and both he and !
hope you will overlook his action in
view of the seriousness Of the crime
committed. At time like this we
are not as careful of the rights of
others as we would be under other
circumstances"
CURLING his impatience, Darlington
assumed a cordiality he did not feel.
Whatever mischief was to be done at
the consulate had undoubtedly been
accomplished, and he felt he ought to
CLEAN as much from the present as he
could.
II do not blame the constable" he
replied affably, 81 realize he did what
he considered his duty, but ! will
thank you, if you are satisfied as to
the truth of my story, to release me
at once, as | have important matters
needing my attention"
Zone moment" the detectives voice
was sharper. There is one test that
is infallible. If you will follow me
we will at once set at rest all doubts"
Following the officers into the house
Darlington was led through long
hall thickly decorated with trophies
of the chase, splendid antlers of the
deer and moose; bear skin rugs COW
cred the floor, and wolf skin mats
with life like heads, lay scattered
about in front of the large arch lead
ing to the library. Here, a gruesome
sight met the eyes of the intruders.
Stretched upon the lounge, his right
hand clasping the breast of his shirt,
his left dangling from the lounge,
lay the former master of the house.
A CHASTITY cash across the throat
showed where the life blood that dyed
the oaken floor below had gushed
forth. Upon the white window sill
was the imprint of a bloody hand.
showing where the murderer had
placed it when vaulting through the
window to the lawn. The imprint was
that of the right hand, and Barring
ton was now convinced that it was the
hand of the murderer he had clasped
at midnight.
"You see, Detective" remarked
Darlington quietly, chat this imprint
is of the right hand, and is much
larger than mine, and instead of dali
lying here with me, it would be well
if you got after the real murderer"
All the urbaneness of the consul
had departed and he spoke sharply.
Calnon drew together his shaggy
brows and darted a glance at the
American that was really venemous.
"You are right, SIR" immobility
succeeded the fleeing indication of
anger. eve have to beg your pardon
for OBTAINING you. You are released"
Thank you, my FRIEND" the con-
suls strong jaws came together firm
ly. II will see you later, and if i am
not mistaken there are some things
that will be taken up with your super
iors before l get through" 1t was an
unwise speech, but Barrington's tenn
per was ruffied. There was no reply
from the detective, but his cold eyes
looked into those of the speaker with
vicious cruelty unexcelled by any
thing Darlington had ever encounter
ed. The American met the look, and
there was a silent, but none the less
impressive declaration Of war. Bar
rington walked to the window and in
spected the imprint on the sill. What
attracted his attention was the mark
of the thumb. There was a white
space running diagonally across it as
if the thumb, having been cleft, failed
to register all its lines.
Eyes, we noticed that" exclaimed
the detective in answer as it were, to
the thought of the consul.
Without replying the American
took long look at the room making
mental note of its appearance and
of the situation Of the furniture, why,
he could not have told, and then 81
lently left the house. There had been
no apology made for allowing him to
walk back.
Following the road to the river he
became lost in brown study. Fate
was entangling him in web Of cross
purposes, plots and counter plots he