River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-01-04

shoulders ably.
MY fault entirely" he muttered,
biting his why mustache. Il should
have come and seen for myself if
there was another way out"
Leroux in a futter of excitement.
now craned from the window.
'It might be possible to climb down
The shaft" be cried. after a brief sur
vey. "but not if one were carrying a
heavy grip, such as that which he has
aiken"
III mr. said Dunbar. you are writ
ing gentleman. | understand, and vet
it does not occur to you that he could
have lowered the bag on a cord if he
wanted to avoid the noise of dropping
it!''
"Yes-er-of COURSE" muttered Lee
roux. But really-but really-oh, good
God! | am bewildered! What in
heavens name does it all meant"
at means trouble" replied Dunbar
grimly-"bad trouble"
They returned to the study. and In
spector Dunbar, for the first time since
his arrival. walked across and exam
ined the fragmentary message. raising
bis eyebrows when he discovered that
it was written upon the same paper as
Leroux's manuscript.
Then. his brows drawn together, he
stopped to the body of the murdered
woman Partially raising the fur cloak,
he suppressed q gasp of establishment.
why, she only wears a silk night
dress and pair of suede slippers!"
He glanced back over his shoulder.
Il had noted that said Cumberly.
THE whole business is utterly extraor-
binary"
Extraordinary is no word for it!'
growled the inspector, pursuing his eX-
animation. marks of pressure at the
throat-yes, and generally unhealthy
appearance"
due to the drug habit" interjected
DR.. Cumberly.
What drug?"
II should not like to say out of hand;
possibly morphine"
mo jewelry." continued the detec-
new one. Finger nails well cared for,
but recently neglected. Hair dyed to
hide gray patches; dye wanted renew
ing. Shoes French. Nightrobe silk;
good lace, probably French also. Faint
perfume-dOn't know what it is-ap-
parently proceeding from civet fur
Furs magnificent. very costly"
He slightly moved the table lamp in
order to direct it's light upon the white
face. The bloodless lips were parted,
and the detective bent, closely peering
at the teeth thus revealed.
Her teeth were oddly discolored.
DOCTOR" he said, taking out magnify
ing glass and examining them closely
They had been recently scaled, too
so that she was not in the habit of
neglectinG them"
Dr.. Cumberly nodded.
1.-THE drug habit again lie said
guardedly. "A proper examination will
establish the full facts"
The inspector added brief notes to
those already made ere he rose from
beside the body; then
you are absolutely CERTAIN he said
deliberately, facing Leroux, that you
had never set eyes on this woman prior
to her coming here tonight?"
81 can swear it, said Leroux.
Good" replied the detective and
closed his notebook with a snap. "Usu
al formaltieS will have to be gone
through, but don't think | need trou-
BILE you. gentlemen, any further to
night"
DR.. Cumberly walked slowly up
stairs to his own fiat, picture etched
indelibly upon his mind Of Henry LIE
rouX with face of despair sitting be
low in his dining room and listening to
the ominous sounds proceeding from
the study, where the police were now
busily engaged. In the lobby he met
his daughter Helen, who was waiting
for him in a state Of nervous suspense.
Father" she began while rebuke
died upon the doctors lips, "tell me
quickly what has happened"
Perceiving that an explanation was
unavoidable, DR.. Cumberly outlined
the story of the nights grewsome hap
penings while Big Ben began to chime
the hour of |.
Helen, eager eyed and with her
charming face rather pale hung upon
every word of the narrative.
"And now" concluded her father,
''you must go to bed. | insist"
"But, father" cried the girl, there is
something"
She heSitated uneaSily.
well, Helen. go on said the doctor.
81 am afraid you will refuse"
cat least give me the opportunity"
"Well, in the glimpse, the half
glimpse, which had of her seemed
Dr. Cumberly rested his hands upon
his daughters shoulders characteristic
ally, looking into the troubled gray
eyes.
"You don't mean'-he began.
81 thought / recognized herr whis-
pered the girl.
Great heavens, can it be possibeY'
II have been trying ever since to re
all where we had met, but without re
quilt. It might mean SO much
Dr C11nohnrIV REGARDED her fiXpdIV