Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-14

AT last the coroner Overcame his cv
ident reluctance and stepped into the
path. Miller followed him. They
walked slowly. The coroner glanced
apprehensively to either side as they
penetrated deeper into the forest.
There's one thing Miller said.
His voice had fallen to the whisper
almost commanded by this place.
The coroner failed to encourage
him.
"It's been on my mind good deal
Miller went on. Il was alone with
Jake for some time and it was nearly
dark, but | noticed something odd
about the wrists"
He waited for the coroner TO speak,
to question But the other walked on
slowly. He glanced with increasing
frequency into the impenetrahle thick.
ct.
Something odd about the wrists"
Miller repeated. There were marks.
. abrasiOns."
Still the man said nothing
81 thought it curious phase" Mil
Ter insisted. What do you Think"
The rasping quality had left the
coroners voice. It reached Miller, low
and q trifle choked.
II don't think until I see"
His back beneath the rusty frock
coat shook little.
Cant understand why anybody
wants to hang out in this hole any.
way"
If you had come last night as we
wanted you to-" Miller began.
The other glanced over his shoulder.
why didn't you?" Miller asked.
bluntly.
when | have to come to place
like this after sundown," the coroner
answered, my Jobli be open to some
body else. How much Cat her is it?''
Just ahead" Miller answered You
can see Mr.. Morgan now
Morgan, at the sound of their voices
walked down the path. Miller saw at
once that the officer made an unfavt r.
able impression on him, too.
I'm glad you're here" Morgan said
coldly. IF you lad come last night you
would have spared Mrs. Anderson and
Mr., Miller very serious inconven.
fence" y
Miller motioned Morgan warnin ely,
but the coroner faced him with a
touch of anger The presence of a
third person appeared, in measure,
to have restored his self assertion.
"Ive just been telling him." he said
roughly. that no law can haul me to
this island after shutdown"
Morgan's eyes narrowed.
whats the matter with this is
'and?" he asked quietly.
You live on it. Reckon you ought to
know better'n me. Go ahead. Who's
delaying the procession n0w?'
Miller shrugged his shoulders. Nor
gan clearly understood his opinion.
Without answering the coroners' inu-
pertinence, which had reall, seemed
studied, he turned and led the way
up the path 10 Jake.
The coroner looked about him uneas.
lily. Then he hurried through the for
malties. authorizing the removal. He
arose His sharp expulsion of breath
Appropriated a sigh. UnConsciously he
inserted comedy touch in the desc
ate scene by whisking the dust from
his frayed and stained trousers,
That's all we want here" he said.
Miller could not comprehend. He
hid watched the man. He oSainined his
face carefully now. II disclosed only
palid uncertainty. perhaps not sur
prising in the circumstances. Yet he
mad rushed through the fcrmaiiies
with haste almost INDIGENOUS. Not
once had he referred TO Miller's defir
ite statement about Jake's wrists.
His eyes wayered before Mlller's
glance
Come on. want to get out of here,
ne said.
Miller stepped closer.
zone minute. You've forgotten some.
thing"
The man turned disagreeable.
Al la I AZ hn eli cd
Eyes" Miller insisted II spoke TO
Won about the marks on Jake's wrista.'
well? heard YOU"
: Miller was At a loss.
Il say heard you," the coroner 70.
peated. "Now let's move ont of here"
Miller's impotence m0mentarily Uy-
ercame the caution he had impressed
upon himself
But YOU haven't said anything" he
cried. "a matter as imp0rtan. as that!
II might lead to something"
The colour rushed back to the coro.
ners cheeks. His voice stormed.
who do YOU think you are?"
Miller faced him sauarely.
"Ii is my duty TO insist on an ex.
animation of the wrists"
who SAYS they haven't been exam.
tned?' the coroner rssped. DO | have
20 account to YOU for everything do ?"
Morgan laid restraining hand on
Miller's arm.
That's what I want TO know" Mil.
Ter. answered, .simply whether YOU