Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-28

that something may be said in favor
Of astrology and telepathy. like all
other pseudo-sciences, in fact, or any
mere belief, are we not, gentlemen.
getting away from the business In
hand?
Since both the modern magi, an
the learned doctor beside us agree AZ
to the cause of death, should we not
accept it. and consider rather the only
detail remaining to be settled in this
unfortunate affair? Myself | should
like il TO be cleared up quickly. as |
plan to leave here so soon as it is.
think it is Mr. Heffy's duty TO act with
despatch. At the presen' the innocent
are suffering with the the guilty from
suspicion and curtai.mcnt of their
liberty"
"You talkin' about that emerald an
the idol?" Heffy demanded.
Precisely. Since we know the
. cause of death, why consider it fur
Their? Your order against leaving
places us all in the attitude OF sus-
pected thieves
The room had been filling up by de-
grees.
For some time had felt more than
one set Of eyes turned ON our table.
Heffy and Osborne were, of course,
known to many Of the guests. and they
easily connected the others of our
party with the events of the night.
At LaredO's words which he had not
taken the trouble TO modulate at all,
our table became the focus Of all with
in hearing saw several nod in ap-
provN of his words.
II think it's an outrage" came a
woman's siblant speech from beyond
me. III was that stupid house de-
tective who gave the order, of course.
Give a man like that a little authority
and he'll abuse it."
We'll, well. my dear" her COM
panon rumbled. you haven't the
wonderful stone, so don't fuss your
self"
"Just the same the dark gentleman
is right in his view in the matter. The
management has no right to tag us all
az suspects"
Heffy's face was growing into a
dusky red | caught his eyes and
knew he. too, had heard. I'm goin'
to get action as soon as can he de-
clared to Laredo. "What'dye want
me to do? I'll listen to any dope you
got to hand out. saynor."
Laredo shook his head
Il do not wish to interfere. !
merely thought we came together to
discuss the situation. You will, Of
course look over the scene OF the up
fortunate AFFAIR."?
Sure" returned Heffy. I'm 90.
In up there after breakfast, an want
Glace to so along"
AN then WHAT" Laredo's smile APP
poared irritating 10 me.
Then if don't find no trace of
them tl,ngs up there, III come back
here and search this dump. III folks
eau like it or not. I'm within my
rights, an | know it, ] amt sayln'
VINO took it. but it didn't walk off by
itsolr. An if it didn't maybe it's up
lii, Z.
{, was dark last night, an the
folKS was huntin' for men, not images
or sGarkiers. Maybe il there was a
sol. CT fight with snake up there,
the thing fell outen the professors
clothes an is lyn' around loose.
Thats auother reason why sent Bill
~ t5ore 20 stand guard. He's square
gu, that boy"
"py love, | never thought of that,
MI, cred Dayton. Maybe there
h.,nt D~en any robbery at all
While they talked had been think
lis There's more to it than that"
| gave my opinion. If your idea
wee the right one, Hefiy, what about
those two ten-dollar bills? Charley
got them somewhere and he didn't get
them for nothing. We ought to try TO
find out where he did get them, |
think"
"They were new ones,' Hefly said.
Exactly, and an Indian wouldn't
carry them around in his pocket very
long and have them retain their fresh.
ness, would he?'
IIehy shook bis head. Nope.
Charley wouldn't have carried them
long anyway
Then probably he got them recent
" from some one who either had Just
received them or else carried them IN
a bin fold" | went on.
There's something funny about
the whole business" said Hetfy Dye
know think II we could find that
green stone we'd have the key to the
whole works.
THE key is contained in the image
of Quetzal," said Semi Dual.
We all looked up. lie had al
yanced down the room toward US, but
so wrapped In our own conversation
had we become that at least had not
hpard his annroach Now he stood