Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-01-17

IueI6 WILL DC uut Oh0 Ahuh W Aooh az
your face when you see the corpse,
and he will be half asleep. You must
deceive him completely. They know
me well at the mbrgue, and will be-
Iieve / 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"
"Pll-Ill try" she faltered, but
saw that the cognac was beginning to
steady her nerves.
Come" said, taking her arm. l
handed Francis coin which may
have increased his suspicious, but /
did not care. 1 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 its
narrow alleyway the tower clock
struck twelve.
Ned Harris was on the night watch,
and, as l hoped, was but half awake.
Stunning" l explained, and he smil-
ed knowingly.
Not much of a show tonight" he
said, as I 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
arm as we followed the deputy into
the cold room beyond. She was trem-
bling. "a little nervous?" asked her,
so that Harris might hear.
"It gives 'em the creeps," he chuck
led. II suppose that's why they come"
He pulled the sheet down from a
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 l gave her face
showed me she would restrain emo
tion that might be perceptible to the
deputy. led her to the door, remark
ing calmly to Harris that little of his
exhibit was plenty for most people.
"Many thanks, Ned" cried, hurry
ing through the outer Office as he
replaced the covering over the dead
face. "See you again." and passed
quickly out with cry of Good night"
over my shoulder.
There was cafe on Merchant
street at the end of the morgue alley,
and it had side entrance which kept
open all night. i hastened Miss Reade
within and to one of it's tiny boxes,
seating her on the leather-covered
bench beside the table
Now cry-cry all you please" l
said softly. you will not be disturb
ed by any one, and shall be close at
hand" l pulled the curtains behind
me, said 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. II
have cried, and am better now. That
was She"
Il knew" I sat beside her and
placed a 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 it all the
more impossible to say one word
to answer single question. Oh, l
must be umb-dumb-dumb! You
manner, may reveal another secret
more secret than ever, now that it
is a tragedy. Promise that you will
not try to learn"
i could not give that promise 1T
may be that | must know to save you,
Isabelle" | explained. For that rea-
son only, ] must learn what is behind
this murder"
She shuddered. 1T was murder then
-not-not-" She could not say the
word.
"She was shot by another's hand"
THAT is belter-better for her! At
that place--the morsue-the man said
something about you discovering her.
do not understand"
Il CHANGED TO find her. Do you want
to hear all that l know of it?"
She nodded. too distressed to speak,
and told OF the st. Dunstan mystery
even TO the meddllng with my reYolv-
er 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 a single
comment or ask a question when |
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. no." she answered quickly.
Then, please do not question me