The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-03-06
CHAPTER TWELVE. Continued

| some pictures. and Stone scanned
them eagerly. Yet their gruesome-
ness lay largely in the idea that
the subject Of them was not a llv-
ing person-for in appearance
they were by no ear unpleas-
ant to look at. The face of Miss
Darlington was creme and smil-
ing, her wide open eyes, though
staring, were filled with a lifelike
wonder, not at all an expression
Of fright or terror,
"You see," volunteered Hardy,
"she was sitting there, admiring
herself, and happily smiling, when
the villain sneaked up behind her
and gave her that crack over the
head"
"But she was already dead
when she was hit on the head
$50 the doctors think, but | be-
lieve they're mistaken. Why,
there's no theory that would &C
count for hitting a dead person! -
"And yet, that is what hap
pened. No, Hardy, the doctors L
not mistaken about the hour Of
death, and about the poison in her
system and all that. But the most
obvious and most important clue,
for the moment, is that blackjack.
just where was it found2'
"Right here, Mr.. Stone, under
the edge of this couch. Hidden on
purpose, of course"
ono, I think not. Dropped by
the burglar, rather, when he was
startled by something unexpected.
You see, he doubtless stood here,
where the powder is busted about,
and, to drop the thing quickly, it
would fall or be flung just there
where it was found"
eyes, but what scared him if
he didn't hear anything9"
Something that frightened
bin so terribly that he fled with
out taking the jewels he had come
for! Something that made him
make quick, straight tracks for
the door and downstairs and out,
by the way he had entered"
Good, Lord! Say, Mr.. Stone,
you think it was that make be-
lieve Count, don't your"
"Why make believed"
ooh, somehow, I feel sure he's
a fake. He's not the real thing
or I'm greatly mistaken!"
"Let me see that glove found in
her hand. Have you it with your"
Hardy had brought some of the
exhibits held by the police, and,
taking the glove from his bag, he
handed it to Fleming Stone.
Stone looked at the glove
hastily, but, raising it to his
nose, smellcd of it very carefully.
No." he said, returning it,
"no, the Count is not the man who
welded the blackjack. Tn fairly
certain of that"
"Well I'm blessed if | can see
how you know by smellingl By
the way, Mr.. Stone, | suppose you
heard all about the conversation
that Miss Frayne related as taking
place in this room after l o'clock
that night9"
eyes, I've read the full account
of it. What do you think about
itYn
"Oh, I think it was the Count
talking to Miss Darlington before
he killed her. He has a very low
voice, and speaks almost maud
bly, always. Then, you see, he is
down in her will for $4,000 OF
those bonds, and he's very fond OF
pearls"
Whats that7 Who said he
was fond Of pearls2"
"Oh, maybe you didn't hear
about that. Why, Miss Frayne re
mcmbered afterward that another
sentence she heard Miss Caring
ton say was i know how very
fond you Ire Of pearls. She for
got hat speech in her evidence
but found it afterward in the writ
ten account she had Of what she
overheard at the door. And hi.
countsIip is fond Of pearls. al
talked a lot about those the .ladJ
wore that last evening. He say,
himself pearls I q hobby witt
him."
YOU really think the Conn
was il this room that night
Sdrely I do. It's no INSULT Il
the lady's memory to say 10. Sh
had q right to receive him Ia he
boudoir IL she chose to do 80. IT,
II .E.SEE9M%@1A& 49,. Ks at+GFk8 FEr. tpt4 AfEHR.