Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

| to hold his ear close to the gaping lips.
Then he got up and, looking from Mrs.
Ellsworthy to Peter, nodded sober refu-
| tation of any lingering doubt.
"Gone!' he said. mot a flicker Of
heart or breath-a stroke of apoplexy
or something. I'm no DOCTOR
"How did it happen?"
"He was coming downstairs" Mrs.
Ellsworthy replied with difficulty.
Quoin interrupted brusquely, "What
was he doing upstairs, please?"
His daughter-talking to her.
"She's up there now? Safe? I'm
molested?"
Locked in the sitting room-safe,
yes"
Doesn't know of this as yet-eh?"
"NO. With the door closed, the room
Is soundproof. Besides, there was no
nOise."
"Go on. How did he come here, and
why did he send his daughter on
ahead?"
eff you please" the woman begged,
zone moment. am fearfully shocked"
"Take your time" Quoin consented.
And while she turned away and, with
q handkerchief pressed to her lips,
struggled to recOllect herself, the de-
.ective explained to Peter in an undeE
tone, "WidOw Of one EllswOrthy, in
his day world-known collector of
stolen property mean q 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. Els
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 valuable property have
no idea what-and that [ was to find
some preteXt to detain her until he fol-
lowed She got here about eleven in
taxicab with this gentleman. When
Sic IlcdIu SIdFcI was COLIIuS SllC
refused to wait, and had to lock her
in the room to keep her. Mr.. Trait
I'm sorry 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, 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 lie! Permit me to present
you with this token Of our esteem.'"
"And that was" Quoin prompted.
"This," 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 fingers, stood
up, exhibiting a knave of spades.
"And them"
Nothing. They went away, Smith
and Gordon, by the basement"
'There was a quarrel-blows were
struck"
"No. Mr.. Craven said something ia
this effect, IF that is your decision,
very well-so be it!' Smith merely
laughed unpleasantly, called Gordon,
and turned down the basement stairs,
Afterward I heard the gate slam as
they left"
"And Craven"
''He stood looking at the card sway.
ing and mumbling to himself I won,
dered if he had been drinking. Then
l noticed he was holding one hand to
his side, as though his heart was pain.
ing him. I was alarmed and asked ii
could do anything. He looked at me
as if he didn't know me, took a steI
or two this way, and suddenly fell as
if he had been shot. And Immediately
telephoned for doctor
81 understand, Mrs. Ellsworthy." Fol
an instant Quoin contemplated the
knave of spades, frowning thought
fully. "Odd" he unused, looking up al
Trait, Todd how these things run. It's
not month now since an Italian in 8
low coffee house up on One Hundred
and Tenth street left his chair for 6
minute, with his hat on it by way Of