Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1919-07-04


did not search the dead mans
pockets. cared nothing who he was.
and did not want to know. My sole
desire was to acqhit Jacqueline of his
death, in the worlds eyes.
That he had come deservedly by 1t
was positive.
Four o'clock was striking while
was climbing back into the room
again. Jacqueline lay on the bed In
the same position she had not stirred
during that hour.
/ took the knife from the floor
where had flung II, scrubbed 1t. ana
placed 1t In my suitcase. Then
scrubbed the floor clean, afterward
rubbing It with n soiled rag to make
Its appearance uniform.
| thought l had finally removed all
traces OF the affair; but, coming back,
I perceived something upon the floor
which had escaped my notice. 1t 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-
NAMED perfectly quiet in the room
crouching at Jacqueline's feet and be.
side the bed.
came to the conclusion that there
might have been a struggle; that II
had run to its mistress's assistance
and that the collar had been torn
| from, II hv tho 1o0d man
I picked the collar up and carried
II into the next room and held 1t un-
der the light. The letters Of the
makers name were almost obliterated
but after a careful study 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.
pried the plate from the leather
and slipped it into my pocket. put
the broken collar into my suit case
together with the dagger, and then
set about packing my things for thu
Journey which we were to undertake
II When had finished packing l wen
back to Jacqueline and sat besid'
her while she slept.
In a little while 1t would begin t
tighten, and the advent of the da,
filled me with sort Of terror.
/ watched the sleeping girl. VIII
was she? How could she sleep s.
calmly after that nights deed? Tn
mystery seemed unfathomable; tn
girl alone In the city. the robbers, tn
doa the dead man. and the, one VII
had escaped me.
Jacqueline's bag lay open on tn
bureau and disgorged bills. Their
were rolls and rolls Of them-eigh
thousand dollars did not seem to
much.
I raised her hand and held 1t in m
own, and I sat thus until the room b
gan to tighten. watching her all tn
while. t4 ~
III At last she stirred. her eyes openet
and she sat up. She gazed at me wit
apathy. but there was also recogn
ton In her look.
/ "Do you know me. JacquelineT
asked.
/ my friend Paul."
"Jacqueline. am going to take 70
home" / said. hoping that she woul
| tell me something. but dared ask b,
l no more. meant to take her to Gu
I bee and make inquiries there.
II II am going TO take you hom
| Jacqueline," repeated.
, Eyes, Paul." she answered In tn
docile manner of hers.
1T Is lucky you have Your furs. b
cause the winter Is cold where yo'
home is"
Eyes, Paul." she repeated a. befoE
and a few more probings on my pa
\ convinced me that she remember
nothing at all. Her mind was like
persons newly awakened In a stranl
A. land. But this state brought with
+ no fear, only q peaceful quietude al
,. faith which was very touching.
Il "Now. Jacqueline." said. I'VE shs
have to begin to make ready for o
journey"
e had just remembered that the sts
:. age company was to call tn
p day. The van would probably be
>. the house early In the morning, and
J. was essential that we should be 60
=; before 1t arrived.
'ir l showed JacquelIne the bathrot
- and drew the curtains. Then ! we
a into the kitchenette and made con
:. on the gas range. and. since It v
too early for the arrival Of my MOI
- ing loaf. which was placed just with
q the street door by the bakers boy {
cry day, l made some toast and b.
tered 1t.
When took In the breakfi
Jacqueline was waiting for me. lo'
ing very dainty and charming. s
was hungry. too. also good sign.
She did not seem to understand Il
= there was anything strange in the {
uation In which we found ourselves
- did not know whether this was due
. her mental state or to that straE