Connecticut western news., 1919-07-24

curing tnaL QOurs
took the knife from the floor
where had flung it, scrubbed it, and
placed 1t In my suitcase. Then l
scrubbed the floor clean, afterward
rubbing 1t with a soiled rag to make
its appearance uniform.
I thought I had finally removed all
traces Of the affair; but, coming back.
I perceived something upon the floor
which had escaped my notice. It was
the leather collar of the Eskimo dog,
with its big silver studs and the max
er's silver name plate.
All this while the animal had re-
manned perfectly quiet in the room
crouching at Jacqueline's feet and be-
side the bed.
l came to the conclusion that there
might have been q struggle; that 1t
had run to it's mistress's assistance,
and that the collar had been torn
from it by the dead man.
I picked the collar up and carried
| it into the next room and held 1t I'M
| der the light. The letters Of the
makers name We're almost obliterated,
but after a careful study l was able
! to make them out. The name was
Maclay & Robitaille, and the place of
manufacture Quebec. This confirmed
my belief concerning Jacqueline's ma
tivity.
I pried the plate from the leather
and slipped it into my pocket. I put
the broken collar into my suit case,
together with the dagger, and then I
set about packing my things for the
| journey which we were to undertake.
When had finished packing went
back to Jacqueline and sat beside
her while she slept.
In a little while it would begin to
tighten, and the advent of the day
filed me with a sort of terror.
I watched the sleeping girl. Who
was she? How could she sleep so
calmly after that nights deed? The
mystery seemed unfathomable the
girl alone in the city, the robbers, the
dog, the dead man, and the one who
had escaped me.
Jacqueline's bag lay open on the
bureau and disgofged bills. There
were rolls and rolls Of them-eight
thousand dollars did not seem too
much.
raised her hand and held 1t in my
own, and I sat thus until the room be-
gan to tighten, watching her all the
while
At last she stirred, her eyes opened,
and she sat up. She gazed at me with
apathy, but there was also recogni-
ton in her look.
"Do you know me, Jacqueline"
asked.
my friend Paul." ~
"Jacqueline, I am going to take you
home" 7 said, hoping that she would
tell me something but I dared ask her
no more. I meant to take her to Que
bee and make inquiries there
81 am going to take you home,
Jacqueline," I repeated.
Eyes, Paul." she answered In that
docile manner Of hers.
at is lucky you have your furs, be-
cause the winter Is cold where your
home is."
"Yes, Paul." she repeated as before,
and a few more probings on my part
convinced me that she remembered
nothing at all. Her mind was like a
PERSONS newly awakened in a strange
land. But this state brought with 1t
no fear, only a peaceful quietude and
faith which was very touching.
"Now, Jacqueline," said, 1--WE shall
have to begin to make ready for our
journey"
had just remembered that the stor-
age company was to call that
day. The van would probably be at
the house early in the morning, and 1t
was essential that we should be gone
before it arrived.
1 showed Jacqueline the bathroom
and drew the curtains. Then 1 went
into the kitchenette and made coffee
on the gas range, and, since 1t was
too early for the arrival of my morn
ing loaf, which was placed just within
the street door by the bakers boy ev-
cry day, made some toast and but
tered it.
When took in the breakfast
Jacqueline was waiting for me, look
ing very dainty and charming. She
was hungry, too, also good sign.
She did not seem to understand that
there was anything strange in the sit
uation in which we found ourselves. l
did not know whether this was due to
her mental state or to that strange
unsophistication which l had already
observed in her.
After the meal was ended and we
had fed the dog, Jacqueline insisted
on washing the dishes, and l showed
her the kitchenette and let her do so,
though l should never have need for
the cheap plates and cups again.
"Now, Jacqueline, we must CO." I
said.
l placed her neckpiece about her. I
closed her bag, stuffing the bills inside,
and hung it on her arm. wanted
her to let me bank her money for her,