Charlevoix county herald., 1918-03-08


other night of happiness. but now
there will be but one man to look at
your face when you see the corpse,
and he will be half asleep. You must
deceive him completely. They know
me well at the morgue, and will be-
heve have brought friend with a
morbid curiosity. Should there be
other bodies We must look. at them.
but no greater show OF emotion, re-
member, no matter who you may find.
Can / trust you. Miss Reader, ss,'f
"IIl-Pll try" she faltered. but !
saw that the cognac was beginning to
steady her nerves.
Come" said. taking her arm. I
handed Francis coin which may
have increased his suspicious, but
did not care. led her out of the res
taurant and down the street to where
the city's morgue hid away behind the
Hall OF Justice. AS we turned into It's
narrow alleyway the tower clock
struck twelve.
| Ned Harris was on the night watch.
and, as hoped. was but half awake.
Stunning" explained, and he smil-
ed knowingly.
mot much of a show tonight" he
said, as l mumbled an introduction OF
Miss Reade under another name.
"Just the one you discovered your
self"
was glad it was to be easy, and !
kept a reassuring hand on the girls
| foil he int n
the cold room beyond. She was trem-
bling. "A little nervous?" asked her,
| 80 that Harris might hear.
1T gives 'em the creeps," he chuck
led. Il suppose that's why they come"
He pulled the sheet down from
form lying straight on its marble slab.
Enough" l cried roughly. had
made my first suspicious certainties
In Miss Reade's first look at the face.
She was wonderful IN her courage
| OF spirit. Although the fingers on my
arm clenched convulsively. she made
no cry, and the glance gave her face
showed me she would restrain emo
ton that might be perceptible to the
deputy. lied her to the door. remark.
L
exhibit was plenty for most people.
MANY thanks. Ned" I cried. hurry.
ing through the outer Office as he
replaced the covering over the dead
face. See you again." and passed
quickly out with q cry of Good night"
over my shoulder
There was q cafe on Merchant
street at the end of the morgue alley,
and II had a side entrance which kept
open all night. Ihastened Miss Reade
within and to one of its tiny boxes,
seating her on the leathercovered
bench beside the table.
Now cry-cry all you please" I
said softly. you will not be disturb
ed by any one, and shall be close at
hand" / pulled the curtains behind
me, said a word to the bartender and
placed myself on guard before her
door.
1t was only few minutes later
when the curtain opened and she mo-
TONED me to join her. Thank you,"
she said, trying bravely to smile. Il
have cried. and am better now. That
was she"
Il knew" Il sat beside her and
placed gentle hand upon her arm.
seeking her confidence. Does this
make difference In what you may
tell me, Isabelle?" / asked.
She took my hand in both her own.
"Dear friend" she said. and her voice
was very sad. This makes 1t all the
more impossible to say one word
to answer a single question. Oh,
must be dumb-dumb-dum You
must not question, for my eyes, my
manner, may reveal another secret
more secret than ever, now that II
Is q tragedy. Promise that you will
not try to Learnt"
could not give that promise. ut
may be that must know to save you,
Isabelle" explained. For that rsa-
SON only, must learn what Is behind
this murder"
She shuddered. ut was murder then
-not-not-" She could not say the
word.
"She was shot by another's hand"
THAT is better-better for her! At
that piace-the morgue-the man said
something about you discovering her.
do not understand"
Il Glanced to find her. Do you want
TO hear all that know of it?"
She nodded. too distressed to speak,
and told OF the st. Dunstan mystery
even TO the meddling with my revoiv. |
or and the strange appearance of the
hatpin In my effects. II had tried |
could not have learned anything from !
her expression. for. during my story.
she never looked at me, holding her |
head lowered. her face between her |
hands. Nor did she make q single !
comment or ask a question when l |
had finished.
Isabelle" ! said, after pause
which hoped she would break.
Would what you know OF this give
me the name Of the murderer"
mo. no. mol" she answered quickly. |
Then. please do not question me -
pleased"
! held back the query which was at
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