Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-05-16

king his head to show us clearly that
his search had been vain.
But he was on the trail, and had no
notion of desisting.
AS by common accord, we all fell
silent and watched his effort. With
out pause he attacked dresser and
drew out its drawers. He took them
clear out and poked into the space be-
hind them. Without ceremony he
dumped their contents on the floor,
and replaced 1t bit by bit in order to
overlook nothing.
In the end he got down and looked
under the dresser itself.
Next he attacked the pictures on
the wall, looking behind them! and
from them he climbed up and poked
over the top of the window and back
of its shade; got down and inspected
the drawer of small night-stand by
the bed. Strengthened, and scratched
his head.
In moment he made up his mind
and attacked the bed itself.
Say, doc, If you'll move" He
addressed Osborne, laid hold of the
bedding and swept it on to the floor.
On the exposed mattress he got up
and began careful prodding and
feeling, and careful search for any
evidence of rips or tears.
He lifted the mattress itself and
inspected the springs; put the mat
tress back and shook out each sheet
and comfort and blanket as he laid
them back one by one. After that he
uncased each pillow and went oyer
them closely. One by one he threw
them from him. darted into closet,
and kept up his examination.
And all the time his heavy face was
growing ref.der and redder. He was
so in earrest that once more felt that
insane .esire to chuckle and to cry,
Hotter, colder!" to him as we used
to do when playing a childish game.
Now and then as he worked l saw
him throw a half-pleading, half-re-
sentful glance toward Semi, as
though he suspected some sort of
game at his expense. But Semi did
not seem to notice.
Since Laredo's last words he had
been sitting partly relaxed, leaning
back in his chair, his eyes fixed
straight before him, seeming to stare
at the bed in total oblivion as re-
garded Heffy's frenZied search.
Sounds of that search still came
from the closet.
glanced up to find the eyes of Os-
borne and Dayton upon me in mute
sort of question. / shook my head.
l was as much mystified by it all as
they were. Save the closet it seemed
to me every possible spot of conceal
ment had been exhausted and surely
no man in his senses would have put
such objects in his trunk. Where
then was the gigantic emerald and the
Image of Quetzal, with it's poisoned
dagger, which Dual felt so sure it
contained?
Without it, as Laredo had said, /
could see no chance of conviction.
The mere fact that his footprints and
the mark of his hand had been found
at the scene of the tragedy of the
night would never serve to fasten the
crime upon him.
What, then?
The strain was telling. Dayton !
rose and walked to the window back |
of Laredo. Osborne went over and |
stood looking down at Laredo's trunk, |
as though half-minded to have it |
open. The Mexican followed his |
and once more l saw the |
thin-lipped smile writhe across his |
face.
He had been sitting half turned, |
listening to Heffy in the |
closet. Now his eyes came on around |
from the physician and fell on Semi
Dual. OF sudden saw them widen,
then narrow as quickly % slits. With !
out Sound his lips moved slightly.
He cleared his throat as if to attract
attention. :.
Heffy came out of the closet. :,
I'm beat" he complained in
growl of disappointment. Unless
he's planted 'em in his trunk, which
amt likely, they amt here. Still"
Never mind the trunk, Mr..
Heffy," said Semi Dttl without NOV.
ing.
HUH" Heffy paused in his ad-
vance.
THAT which you seek is not in it."
dual spoke again softly.
Laredo rose quickly. Then, senor,
your wonderful structure of suspicion
comes tumbling to the ground"
Dual shook his head without shift.
ing its position or changing his eyes
direction. Though addressing Laredo,
he never SO much as glanced toward
where he was standing. Not yet"
he said.
"But the emerald and the image
the things on the finding of which the
entire matter rested"
Are here"
"In this room you mean senor?"
"Yes."
"They have not been found-here,
senor." Laredo threw out his hands.
"No. Not yet" Still Dual leaned,