The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-09-27


"If you please" the woman begged,
zone moment. am fearfully shocked"
"Take your time," Quoin consented.
And while she turned away and, with
handkerchief pressed to her lips,
struggled to recollect herself, the de-
tectlve explained to Peter In an UNDER
tone. "Widow of one Ellsworthy, in
his day world-known collector Of
stolen property mean fence, Of
course. Always lived most respecta-
bly--much as you see. Craven prob
ably did n lot of business with him first
and last, and afterward with Mrs. Ellis
worthy. who carried on the business in
a smaller way, but quite ns successful
ly, as far as keeping out of trouble was
concerned. Feeling better, Mrs. Ellis
worthyf"
"Yes-thnnk you. Mr.. Craven called
up about half-past ten to say his daugh-
ter was coming to see me, bringing
with her valuable property have
no Idea what-and that I was to find
some pretext to detain her until he fol-
lowed. She got here about eleven In
taxicab with this gentleman. When
she heard Mr.. Craven was coming she
refused to wait, and had to lock her
In the room to keep her. Mr.. TRAIT
I'm sorry-I put of 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
donT
"Yes. Mr.. Gre -en hpd-business re-
latlons with them, 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 Mt that, and said
aloud, You lie! Permit me to present
you with this token of our esteem"
sand that was" Quoin prompted.
"Thls," said the woman. pointing
down to Craven's clenched right hand.
With an exclamation OF surprise
Quoin bent over and, after some diff.
Guilty with the stiffening fingc,s, stood
up. exhibiting knave of spades.
"And then"
Nothing. They went away, Smith
and Gordon, by the basement"
"There was quarrel-blows were
struck"
: "NO. Mr.. Craven said something to
this effect, II that Is your decision.
very well-so be itv Smith merely
laughed unpleasantly, called Gordon.
and turned down the basement stairs.
Afterward heard the gate slam a.
they left"
"And Craven"
+ "He stood looking at the, card, sway
Ing and mumblIng to himself. I. won-
dered II he had been drinking. Then
noticed he was holding one hand ia
his side, as though his heart was palm
ing him. was alarmed. and asked II
could do anything. He looked at me
as IL he didn't know me. took step
,, or two this way. and suddenly fell az
! IL he had been shot. And Immediately
ielephoned for Doctor"
/, Il understand, Mrs. Ellsworthy." For
an instant Quoin contemplated the
, knave Of spades, frowning thought
fully. "Odd," he mused, looking up at
T Trait. "odd how these things run. It's
not a month now since an Italian In q
low coffee house up on One Hundred
, and Tenth street left his chair for q
=. minute. with his hat on 1t by way Of
. reservation. When he returned and
q picked up the hat there was playing
card beneath 1.-THE death card--in his
:, case the four Of hearts. Five minutes
, later he was shot dead where he sat,
1t only goes to show how the criminal
Imagination inclines 70 melodrama--
give your victim warning, so that he
may die dozen imaginary deaths be-
fore you kill him. In this case Craven's
heart spoiled their fun; but the chances
. are he would never have got back to
: his hotel alive" =
> He paused, looked pityingly down at
!. the dead man, sighed, "Well-poor
:. devil !" then, unfolding handkerchief,
placed 1t gently over the livid and dis
!, a torted mask. "Better not move him till
the DOCTOR comes; though fancy we
can save you the trouble Of an inquest,
], Mrs. Ellsworthy. And We'll do our best
!. to keep 1t out Of the papers. Wed bet
ter draw the portieres while Peter gets
Miss Craven out Of the house. Yes,
. that's your job. Peter; but better not
tell her anything until you get her
away. Take her to Mrs. Beggarstafr--
don't you think?"
"Yes." agreed Peter. ''for few days
or weeks--as long as she needs to get
over It,"
"And then?" asked Quoin curiously.
a "why." said Peter In surprise. "dIdn't
\ you know we were going to be mar,
|. riedT
(THE END)
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