Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-23

IAN right" exclaimed, . little
nettled that he should have anticipated
me even 80 much In the case. But
you haven't heard the latest"
What is it," he asked with provok-
ing calmness.
Taylor Dodge" l blurted out. has
the clue. Tomorrow he will track down |
the mani"
Kennedy fairly jumped as I repeat
ed the news.
"How long has he Known he de-
manded eagerly.
Perhaps three or four hours" haz-
arded.
Kennedy gazed at me fixedly.
Then Taylor Dodge is dead!" he
exclaimed, throwing OF his acid-stained
laboratory jacket, and hurrying into
his street clothes.
"Impossible!" / calculated.
Kennedy paid no attention to the OBJ
lection. Come, Walter" he urged.
I'VE must hurry before the trail gets
cold"
There was something positively I'M
canny about Kennedy's assurance.
doubted-yet I feared.
It was well past the middle Of the
night when we pulled up in a night
hawk>taxicab before the Dodge house.
mounted the steps and rang the bell.
Jennings answered sleepily. but not
30 much so that he did not recognize
me. He was about to bang the door
shut when Kennedy interposed MS
foot.
where is Mr.. Dodge?" asked Ken
nedy. rs he all right?"
"Of course he is-in bed" replied
the butler.
Just then we heard faint cry, Ike
nothing exactly human. Or was 1t our
heightened imaginations. under the
spell of the darkness?
| "Listen!" cautioned Kennedy.
We did, standing there now In the
hall. Kennedy was the only one OF US
who was cool. Jennings face blanched.
then he turned tremblingly and went
down to the library door. whence the
sounds had seemed to come.
He called, but there was no answer
He turned the knob and opened the
door. The Dodge library was large
room. In the center stood a big, nat
topped desk of heavy mahogany. II
was brilliantly lighted.
At one end of the desk was tele
phone. Taylor Dodge was lying on the
floor at that end Of the desk-perfect
" rigid-his face distorted-a ghastly
figure. A pet dog ran over. snified
frantically at his masters legs and
suddenly began to howl dismally.
Dodge was dead!
"Help!" shouted Jennings.
Others of the servants came rush
ing in. There was, for the moment
the greatest excitement and confu
sion.
Suddenly a wild figure in flying gar
ments fitted down the stairs and int
the library, dropping beside the dead
man, without seeming to notice us a
all.
"Father!" shrieked a woman's voice
heart-broken. Father! Oh-my Got
-he-he is dead!"
It was Elaine Dodge.
With q mighty effort, the heroic CIR
seemed to pull herself together.
Jennings" she cried. "call Mr.. Ben
nett-immediately!"
From the one-sided, excited CONVEX
sation of the butler over the telephone
I gathered that Bennett had been II
the process of disrobing in his owl
apartment uptown. and would be RICH
down.
Together, Kennedy. Elaine and my
self lifted Dodge to sofa and Elaine
aunt, Josephine, with whom she lived
appeared on the scene. trying to Quie
the sobbing girl.
Kennedy and withdrew a little way
and he looked about curiously.
what was IT." l whispered. IVA
it natural. an accident, or-or mul
j.. der? The word seemed to stick 1
|, my throat. II 1t was q mwder, wha
was the motive? Could 1t have bee
!. to get the evidence which Dodge ha
: that would incriminate the maste
. criminal?
I'll Kennedy moved over quietly and e,
amined the body of Dodge. When b
rose his face had peculiar look.
"Terrible!" he whispered to m,
Apparently he had been working &
!. his accustomed place at the desk whe
the telephone rang. He rose an
crossed over to II. See! That brougl
- his feet on this register let into th
floor. As he took the telephone r
ceiver down q fash of light must hav
= shot from 1t to his ear. 1t shows Il
characteristic electric burn"
10 1.-THE motive?" I queried.
l. Evidently his pockets had bee
gone through. though none of the val
u ables were missing. Things on h
o. desk show that . hasty search b,
y been made"
G. Just then the door opened and Be
~ nett burst In.
W As he stood over the body, gazir
down at II, depressing the emotions
Q strong man, he turned to Elaine, n
l In q low voice exclaimed: at
OF Clutched Hand did this. shall cons
! crate my life TO bring this man to ID
y. tice!" ~
IN He spoke tenseIy. and Elaine. loo