Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-10-23

why did he send his daughter on
aheadT
'Tf you please" the woman begged,
"one moment. l am fearfully shocked"
take your time" Quoin consented.
And while she turned away and, with
handkerchief pressed to her lips,
struggled to recellect herself. the de-
tective explained to Peter in an under
tone, "Widow Of one Ellsworthy, in
his day a world-known collector Of
stolen property mean a fence Of
course. Always lived most respecta-
bly-much as you see. Craven prob
ably did lot of business with him first
and last, and afterward with Mrs. ELS
worthy, who carried on the business in
a smaller way, but quite as successful
ly, as far as keeping out of trouble was
concerned. Feeling better, Mrs. Ellis
worthy?"
"Yes--thank you. Mr.. Craven called
up about half-past ten to say his daugh-
ter was coming to see me, bringing
with her a valuable property have
no idea what-and that l was to find
some pretext to detain her until he fol-
lowed. She got here about eleven in
a taxicab with this gentleman. When
she heard MIR. Craven was coming she
refused to wait, and l had to lock her
in the room to keep her. Mr.. Trait
I'm sorry-I put off with note ostensi-
bly, from her. When Mr.. Craven came
he went directly to the girl. While he
was upstairs two men of my acquaint-
ance came to the basement door, and
let them in"
"Southpaw Smith and Colonel Cor
DOM"
Eyes. Mr.. Craven had-business re-
lations with them, l believe. They
forced their way upstairs, declaring
they must see him. When he came
down they were waiting for him in
herein shadow. Smith stepped out
and said something to him in a low
tone-I didn't hear. Mr. Craven shook
his head and made an inaudible reply.
Smith lost his temper at that, and said
aloud, You liel Permit me to present
you with this token of our esteem"
Anu tldl NuS k{uOln DlOluHttu.
"This," said the woman, pointing
down to Cravens clenched right hand.
With an exclamation of surprise
Quoin bent over and, after some diff
Guilty with the stiffening fingers, stood
up, exhibiting a knave of spades.
"And thenT"
Nothing. They went away, Smith
and Gordon, by the basement"
'There was a quarrel-blows were
struck?"
mo. Mr.. Craven said something to
this effect, III that is your decision
very well-so be itp Smith merely
laughed unpleasantly, called Gordon
and turned down the basement stairs
Afterward 1 heard the gate slam as
they left"
And Craven"
HE stood looking at the card, sway
ing and mumbling to himself. 1 won
dered If he had been drinking. Their
1 noticed he was holding one hand Il
his side, as though his heart was pain
ing him. 1 was alarmed. and asked 4
1 could do anything. He looked at MI
as if he didn't know me, took steI
or two this way, and suddenly fell al
If he had been shot. And immediatel.
telephoned for Doctor"
81 understand, Mrs. Ellsworthy." Fo
an instant Quoin contemplated tn
knave Of spades, frowning thought
fully. "Odd," he unused, looking up a
Trait, "odd how these things run. It
not q month now since an Italian In
low coffee house up ON One Hundre
and Tenth street left his chair for
. minute, with his hat on 1t by way O
! reservation. When he returned an
| picked up the hat there was playin
card beneath 1.-THE death card-in hi
case the four of hearts. Five minute
later he was shot dead where he sa
1t only goes to show how The crimins
Imagination inclines to melodrama-
give your victim warning, so that h
may die dozen imaginary deaths b'
fore you kill him. In this case Craven
heart spoiled their fun but the chance
are he would never have got back t
his hotel alive"
He paused. looked pitylngly down 9
the dead man, sighed, "Well-pOo
=. devil !" then. unfolding handkerchie
placed it gently over the livid and dll
: torted mask. Better not move him ii
the doctor comes; though / fancy W
can save you the trouble of an inques
Mrs. Ellsworthy. And We'll do our bes
: to keep 1t out of the papers. We'd be
ter draw the portieres while Peter gel
Miss Craven out of the house. Ye
. that's your job, Peter; but better nj
tell her anything until you get hi
away. Take her to Mrs. Beggarstaff-
: don't you think?"
"Yes," agreed Peter, ''for a few da,
or weeks-as long as she needs to &,
over It."
"And them" asked Quoin curiously
. 'Why." said Peter in surprise, "didn
h you know we were going to be ma
! ried?"
(THE END)