American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-06-29

the rear of the hall and receiving an
affirmative response motioned the serv-
ant to 1t with an imperative hand.
There's a light burning in there STILL"
he said you can see it beneath the
door. Better see If perhaps Mr.. Rip
ley hasn't fallen asleep over his work,
Martin. . . No-go ahead; I'll an
swer this"
The doorbell had just rung. AS the
aged negro scufled off toward the lie
brary, Parr turned. opened the front
door, and admitted an urchin wearing
the livery of d w%ell-known telegraph
company. This last delivered an
envelope addressed to Miss Patria
Claiming, pocketed a tip, and returned
to the street. Captain Parr cooked an
attentive ear toward the library while
the girl hastily scanned her telegram.
"What nonsense! Captain Parr-will
you please look at this?"
He took the telegram from her quiv-
ering hand-and knitted annoyed
brows over it.
Newport, Tune 10, 1916.
Miss Patria Claiming.
3 East Tenth Street, n. 7. City.
Distracted. Why did you run away to-
night without explanation? Rodney fol-
low. by first morning train. Please wire
prompt denial. Rumors current here you
eloped with Captain Parr.
NELL WRENN.
A smile, half-rueful, half of amuse-
ment, replaced PARIS frown. He re-
turned the message. The girl impa-
tiently tore it up and committed its
offensive fragments TO the floor.
She was startled by a cry throaty
with terror. Martin tottered out Of the
library door. his limbs trembling, his
face ashen beneath its bronze.
Miss Patty o Lawd, my
Lawdt"
PARIS fingers closed imperatively up
on the servants wrist.
"What is 1t? What's happened? Stor
that bowling and tell u.s."
"I-s Mistuh Ripley daid IN there
/. e.. ."
Common impulse moved the two
young people toward the rear of tbs
hallway, but half way to the library
door Parr checked the girl.
"Spare yourself, Miss Claiming. lie
me go first and have a look around
, please! ~
; It was a spacious chamber, soberll
if richly furnished in an outaged mod
and dominated by a massive chimney
piece of marble deliberately carved
Parr. however, only subcOnsciously reg
istered an impression of its character
= His interest conferred upon the bod.
Of a gentleman Of advanced years tina
u occupied an armchair at one end of tn
table. And it needed no more than
! glance to assure him that the man wa
dead beyond dispute.
= His head and arms rested upon tn
u table. One hand still gripped an auto
: matte pistol. Near his head rested a
Il" overturned telephone instrument, tn
{ receiver dislodged. He had been mul
dered-shot down while %telephonins
{. But he had not died so quickly rs to lt
his assassin escape; he had lived Ion
enough to discharge his own Weapo
, with deadly effect.
> Half a dozen feet aside the corpse q
: the assassin law asprawl-in the cas-
9 of those dead features Parr read IRE
> futable confirmation of his grimmes
e suspicious: the assassin was-ha
been-a Japanese.
e Turning on the servant sharply, Pal
> stilled his lamentations with a brusqu
> command.
"Stop that horrible noise, Martin
Y Do you wish Miss Claiming to he's
2 you? Now tell me: where ca
we put these bodies out Of her sightT
The negro designated the drawin
r. room which communicated with the
brary by sliding doors; thither the
$ bore and there left the bodies. The
returning, Parr ordered the commun
eating doors closed, and for a momel
hesltated, obviously examining a fl
sealed envelope which he had four
in the pocket of the dressing-gOv
worn by the il~l-starred Mr.. Ripley.
1t was s-uperscribed In the firm, mi
ute writing Of a strong old hand: 81
Miss Patrla Channing-Private & Co
idential."
He returned to the hallway. At sig
of his ~gravely troubled countenan'
Patria rose quickly from a chair al
came to him with an imploring &c
N ture.
"Prepare yourself" he said, "yo
guardian has been assassinated-by
Japanese. He left you this; perhaps
explains. .
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
M n nnnr Wnrd. TnmnrrnW va