Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-01-10

eff you please" the woman begged,
zone moment. I am fearfully shocked"
"Take your time" Quoin consented.
And while she turned away and, with
a handkerchief pressed to her lips,
struggled to recollect herself, the de-
tective explained to Peter in an under
tone, widow of one Ellsworthy, In
his day world-known collector of
stolen property mean 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. Ellis
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-thanl, 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 I was to find
some pretext to detain her until he fol-
| lowed. She got here about eleven in
a taxicab with this gentleman. When
she heard Mr.. Craven was coming she
refused to wait, and had to lock her
in the room to keep her. Mr.. TRAIT
Pm 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
donY'
eyes. Mr.. Craven had-business re-
lations with them, l 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 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
Guoin bent over and, after some diff
Guilty with the stiffening fingers, stood
up, exhibiting knave of spades.
"And then?"
Nothing. They went away, Smith
and Gordon, by the basement"
"There was a quarrel-blows were
struck?"
mo. Mr.. Craven said something to
this effect, IF that is your decision,
very well-so be itl' Smith merely
laughed unpleasantly, called Gordon,
and turned down the basement stairs.
Afterward heard the gate slam as
they left"
"And Craven"
''He stood looking at the card, sway
Ing and mumbling to himself. / 1Ton=
dered if he had been drinking. Then
| noticed he was holding one hand to
his side, as though his heart was pain
ing him. I was alarmed, and asked If
| could do anything. He looked at me
as if he didn't know me, took a step
or two this way, and suddenly fell as
if he had been shot And Immediately
l telephoned for doctor"
II understand, Mrs. Ellsworthy." For
an instant Quoin contemplated the
knave of spades, frowning Thoughts
fully. "Odd," he unused, looking up at
Trait, "odd how these things run. It's
not month now since an Italian in a
low coffee house up on One Hundred
and Tenth street left his chair for a
minute, with his hat on it by way OF
reservation. When he returned and
picked up the hat there was a playing
card beneath 1.-THE death card-in his
case the four of hearts. Five minutes
later he was shot dead where he sat.
1t only goes to show how the criminal
imagination inclines to melodrama-
give your victim warning, so that he
may die a dozen imaginary deaths be-
fore you kill him. In this case Craven's
heart spoiled their fun; but the chances
are he would never have got back to
his hotel alive"
He paused, looked pityingiy down at
the dead man, sighed, "Well-poor
devil !" then, unfolding handkerchief,
placed it gently over the hvid and dis
torted mask. "Better not move him till
the doctor comes; though I fancy we
can save you the trouble of an inquest,
Mrs. Ellsworthy. And wen do our best
to keep it out of the papers. We'd bet
ter draw the portieres while Peter gets
Miss Craven out of the house. Yes,
that's your job, Peter; but better not
tell her anything until you get her
away. Take her to Mrs. Beggarstaff-
don't you think?"
'sYes," agreed Peter, "for few days
or weeks-as long as she needs to get
over it."
"And them" asked Quoin curiously.
"Why," said Peter in surprise, didn't
you know we were going to be mar
ried"
(THE END.)