The Nevada County picayune., 1918-06-27
CHAPTER xV-continued.

the garment. which was cut on lines designed to cover any sort of figure which nature could turn out. The ef- feet of the dress plus the whIskers was startling, to say the least.
 Before we go" the sheriff decided. we had best have a look at the re- mains To me he said: Where Is the deceased? Where is Mrs Green?"
 Mrs. Green hasn't been murdered" l started to set him straight.
 'I didn't ask how she met her death" the sheriff thundered. "Of course don't expect you to admit you killed her. All l asked was where she is, ard, by George. I'll have an answer Where is she?'
 I pointed silently at the locked door
 Boys" said the sheriff with emo- ton. "a poor, defenseless woman lies beyond that door foully done to death by these here ruffians. Smith, Wads- worth, Clancy. Snider, you will act as ambulance department"
 Four of his comedians went toward the door.
 Wait" the leader commanded. Be fore you enter that room take off them hats"
 The four nondescript hats came of silently. Then they discovered that the door was locked. However. that proved only a slight obstacle, for the lock was easily forced. Ii struck me as funny that Mrs. Green had not walked out on the scene before this. A premonition of coming disaster grip ped my heart.
 The four men re-entered, carrying reverently n limp figure. which was unmistakably Mrs. Green. Had she been struck by a stray bullet from the attacking party? If she had. things certainly were looking black for Clair and myself. We had no way of prov ing that we were innocent. and all circumstantial evidence would he against us. A murmur of anger ran around the room, and the man with the rope fingered it nervously.
 "Steady. boys" the sheriff ordered.
 "One moment" The young man with the camera held up his hand. Don't move"
 There was a binding flash, and my overwrought nerves jumped seven feet and rebounded before my brain as sured them it was only flashllght.
 The effect on the four members Of the ambulance squad was even more startling. Apparently not expecting the explosion, they dropped their bur den and stood with mouths open Ac- cidentally they dropped the body ill sitting posture.
 There was slight scream. Mrs. Green opened her eyes and demanded, Where am IF
 If the officers of the law had heen startled before, their condition now was absolute consternation.
 Madame the sheriff inquired. 'aren't you dead1'
 "I should say not"
 Then you are not Mrs. Green"
 ''I certainly am"
 But Mrs. Green is dead Her daugh- ter told us SO"
 "Dead FlddleSticks! It's wonder I'm not, though, after coming over here in an open boat and being at tackled by haG naked savage with whiskers, and, let's see-Some one was shot. That's when l tainted. guess, because l don't remember any thing more until just now
 All l have to say" stated the man with the rope, tanning his hat on dis respectfully, "is that this Is a bum night to get man to play joke on him"
 Madame" the sherin said. with gloomy politeness, you have spoiled the only murder case we ever had in Maskeloon county; that's what you have done. Come on, boys"
 In majestic silence the members of the sheriff posse fled from the room. The young man with the camera was left behind, hastily picking up bis traps in order to join the others before their boat left the island.
 l approached him.
 Now that there is no murder mys. tery," l began, "I presume that the picture you took will be useless"
 Not at all" he answered, too busy A0toAhS 1p IAs L4iENA tp hpAiNt AhuL had opened the shutter of his camera. Wen find use for 1t some way"
 lit & match and held 1t about an inch from the lens of the camera, pre- tending 10 examine the name of the maker on it.
 What are you doing?' he demand ed sharply.
 Just looking at your lens" l an swered. blowing out the match. Its a Dalmeyer. see"
 "Yes was afraid something might happen to that negative. I left the film in the camera"
 Did you?" asked innocently and closed the shutter, once more unob- served. May we have one of the pictures if they turn out wellT'