The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-03-09
CHAPTER xIx.-(continued.)

uneasy that 1 made a trip to the top
of the ladder to take a look over
Elmhurst. But everything appeared as
usual. Perhaps Swain was right-per-
haps it was Silva who was using every
minute to increase his influence; but
what could I do? So long as he COM
mitted no overt act, there vas no ex-
cuse for interference. AS Swain had
said, there was nothing that l could
do but watch.
Two ours later, just as I was get
ting UP from a dinner to which, in my
p%erturbed condition, l had done small
Justice, l heard a ring at the bell, and
presently Mrs. Hargis entered to tell me
that there was a gentleman asking Tor
me. | went out to meet him, and WaS
astonished to find that it was Sim
monds.
Il don't wonder you're surprised"
he said, as we sat Down. Fact is, I'm
surprised myself, for I don't know X
actly what I'm to do out here. But
Swain, after he got back to his cell,
was like a crazy man.; he was sure
something dreadful was going to hap
pen II Miss Vaughan if she stayed
in the Louise with those Hindus. In the
end, he got me kind of scared, too, and
made me promise to come out and help
you keep watch. I went down to the
Record office and had a talk with Cod
frey before l started. I half expected
AtAhi iduSH at liz, DuC lie SGSuloO W
think I'd better come. The fact is"
concluded Simmonds, shifting his cigar
to the other side of his mouth, "he was
so serious about it, that / brought two
men along. One of them is p%atrolling
the road in front of the house, and the
other the road along the side. I've ar
ranged for two others to relieve them
at midnight. Now, what's it all about,
anyway"
Well" 1 said, Gin the first place,
neither Godfrey nor I believes that
Swain strangled that man."
9" can't hardly believe it myself"
agreed Simmonds, for he seems a nice
young Teller; but it's a clear case;
there's the motive, he was on the
ground, and there's the finger prints.
How can you explain them away?
Il can't explain them away. But,
Just the same, Godfrey believes the
murder was committed by one Of those
Hindus."
intimated something of the sort
to me-" said Simmonds; but there's
no evidence against them
No" | conceded; that's what we've
got to find"
Where are we going to look for it?''
There's only n place to look for
1t, n that's in the house where the
murder was committed. I only wish
we could get Miss Vaughan out Of it
that would give us a freer hand"
h the matter with the fool
girl, anyway demanded Simmonds.
Il should think she'd jump at a chance
to get away"
so should but she isn't reason
able. just now. l can't make her out.
Perhaps she'll come around in a day
or two, but meanwhile, if she should
happen to need help, L don't see how
your men out on the road, on the other
side of a 12-foot wall, could do any
good
Simmonds rubbed his chin thought
fully.
What would you suggest?" he asked
at last.
why not put them in the grounds.
as soon as it is dark, and let them con-
ceal themselves near the house? They
car get over the wall on this side. We
have ladders. Besides" [ added, "it
would be a great mistake to give Silva
any reason to suspect he's being
Watched. He'd see the men out ON the
road. sooner OF later: out they could
keep out of sight mon the shrub
berry"
Simmonds considered this for a mo-
ment.
Il don't know but what you're right"
ne agreed, at last. Wen arrange it
h a way, then" and he went away
presently to call in his men. He soon
came back with them, and gave them
careful and detailed Instructions as to
what he wanted them to do, dwelling
especially upon he Importance of their
Keeping carefully concealed. Then we
got the ladders and put them in place.
b careful not to touch the top of
the wall" l cautioned them; there's
broken glass on top, and the merest
touch may mean a bad injury"
When you get down on the other
side," Simmonds added, take down the
ladder and hide it in the shrubbery at
the foot of the wall. Somebody might
see it if you left it standing there. But,
for heavens sake, don't get mixed up
sc you can't find it again. Be back
here at 1870, and your relief will be
ready. You've got your whistles?
Well, blow them good and hard if
there's any trouble. And be mighty
careful not to let any one see you, or
you may get snake bit"
The men mounted the ladder, crossed
h wall and disappeared on the other
side, and Simmonds INC / turned back
to the house I felt as though a great
load a been lifted from my shout
ders. With those two men so close
at hand. surely nothing very serious
could happen to Miss Vaughan.
Simmonds and l spent the remainder
of the evening in discussing the case,
but neither of US was able to shed
any new light upon it. Shortly after
IL, the two men who were to form
h relief arrived. and just as we
started for the wall. Godfrey drove in
front OF the highway. 1t needed but
a moment to tell him of our arrange
ments, which he heartily approved. He
Joined us and we Were soon at the
foot of the ladder. While we waited.
Simmonds gave the new men the same
minute instructions he had given the
others, and presently we heard a slight
scraping against the wall and the men
who a been on duty r%ecrossed it.
They had nothing Of especial inter-
est to report. The yogi and Miss
Vaughan had taken a stroll through
the grounds early in the evening, and
my e sank as the detective added
that they seemed to be talking earnest
ly together. Their they had reentered
the house. n Miss Vaughan had re-
manned in the library looking at a book,
while her companion passed on out Of
sight. AT the end of an hour, she
had closed the book, shut and locked
the outer door, and turned out the
light. Another light had appeared
shortly afterwards in a room upstairs.