The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-08-28
But IL the identity of the dead wom-

| VINO was the woman you eApecleu
to find?"
"A friend-a very dear friend"
"Will you not tell me her manner" /
inquired.
mo. it would be unfair to her" she
| responded decisively, an answer
which to me was particularly tanta-
lizing.
1t was quite dark when took leave
of my bright little companion, who.
tired out and yet accomplishing,
pressed my hand and wished me good
fortune in my investigation.
At half-past nine that night pulled
up the dogcart before the chief police
station at Dumfries, and alighting at
once sought the big fair Highlander
Mackenzie, with whom | had had the
consultation on the previous day.
When we were seated in his room
beneath the Kissing gas jet, | related
my adventure and the result of my in
vestigation.
WHAT" he cried, jumping up.
You've unearthed another body-a
woman's?"
Il have. And what is more, ] can
identify her." l replied. Her name
is Armida, and she was wife of the
murdered man Olinto Santini."
Then both husband and wife were
killed."
Without a doubt-a double trag-
edy."
But the two men who concealed the
body! Will you describe them?"
| did so, and he wrote at my dicta-
ton. and calling in one of his sub
inspectors, gave him instructions for
the immediate circulation of the de-
scription to all the police stations in
the county, saying the two men were
wanted on a charge of willful murder.
His lips were pressed together in
distinct dissatisfaction as he asked:
THE body is still in the glen, where
you left it,"
Yes. If you wish. l will take you
to the spot. l can drive you and your
assistant up there"
Certainly. Let US CO." he ex'
claimed, rising at once and ringing his
bell.
Get three good lanterns and some
matches and put them in this gentle
mans trap outside" he said to the
constable who answered his summons.
And tell Gilbert Campbell that want
him to go with me up to Rannoch
wood"
He asked: when do you expect to
get a telegram from your. friend, the
consul at Leghorn? l am anxious for
that, in order that we may commence
inquiries in London"
THE day after tomorrow, i hope.
He will certainly reply at once, pro-
viding the dead mans father can still
be found"
At that moment tall, thin man, who
proved to be Detective Campbell. en-
tered, and five minutes later We were
all three driving over the uneven cob.
bles of Dumfries and out in the dark.
ness towards Rannoch. When we
reached the wood we all descended
and, with Mackenzie and Campbell
carrying lanterns, walked on carefully
keeping straight on in the direction OF
the glen, and hating every now and
then to listen for the ripping of the
stream.
At last, after some difficulty, We dis
covered it, and searching along the
bank with our three powerful light,
presently detected the huge moss
grown bowlder wherein l had stood
when the pair of fugitives had disap
peared.
Look" cried. There's the spot!'
And quickly we clambered down the
steep bank, lowering ourselves by the
branches of the trees until we came
to the water into which l waded, be
ing followed closely by my two com
panions.
On gaining the opposite side clam
bered up to the base of the bowlder and
lowered my lantern to reveal to them
the gruesome evidence Of the second
crime, but the next instant cried:
why! It's gone!"
"Gone!" gasped the two men.
"Yes. 1t was here. Look! this is the
: hole where they buried it! But they
evidently returned, and finding it ex
humed, they've retaken possession OF
1t and carried it away"
As we stood there dumfounded al
the disappearance of the body, the
Highlander's quick glance caught
something, and STOPPING he picked II
up and examined the little object by
the aid of his lantern.
Within his palm l saw lying a tiny
little gold cross, about an inch long
enameled in red, while in the center
was a circular miniature of kneelins
saint, an elegant and beautifully exc
cuted little trinket which might have
adorned 'lady's bracelet.
l This is a pretty little thing" re
marked the detective 1T may posi-
|. bly, lead us to something. But, Mr.
, Gregg" he added, turning to me, "art
I you quite certain you left the body
here?"
Certain" echoed. why. look a
y the hole / made. You don't think
S have any interest in leading you here
on FOOLS errand. do your"
D mot at ALL" he said apologetically
only the whole affair seems so very
FEW CAPABLE OF SYMPATHY