The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-03-27
CHAPTER Xv-Continued.

NS<hAo sS1El CatS. 1OGIIlliSI III g aF
The widow was amiable, but
saoncolnmittal. She was highly in.
scensed at the arrest Of the Count
but felt confident he would be
aiberated in a few days. She re-
tplied warily to Stones questions,
but admitted her presence in the
house on the fatal evening.
"You see," she said in a con
Hdential way, III was lonely. The
Count had gone so often of late to
Garden Steps, and [ was never in
vited, that 7 think I was a little
Jealous"
"Of Miss Carrington7" asked
Stone, quickly.
"Yes," said Mrs. rockingham,
Frankly, and of Miss Stuart, and
IF aaae Counts intimacy over
there [ had never even been in
&ae house. So I went over there
sud locked in the windows. |
saw them playing cards and later
strolling about the rooms. The
great door stood a little ajar and
i cautiously stepped inside. 1t was
vulgariy curious, but it was no
crime. AS | stood in the hall I
saw some one approaching, and
u stepped up a few steps of the
staircase. 1t was all so beautiful
Shat | looked at the tapestries and
decorations. I remember thinking
that il any one challenged me [.
should tell the truth, and say that
4 came in to look, as a neighbor
ought TO have a right to do"
Never mind the ethics of the
case, Mrs. rockingham; stick to
facts Did you go upstairsg"
Ne, indeed; only up four or
live steps, just to the turn Of the
staircase.
But Mr.. Illsley saw you COM
ing down 1
Only those few steps. He,
couldn't have seen me coming
from the top Of the stairway, for
= dian't go up so far"
You spoke Of being jealous Of
Miss stuart. Why?"
Bcrause Count Charlier is in
s1Ove with her."
With Miss StuartY"
ICES; he was making up to
Miss Darlington for her money.
sanla hs is really In love with Miss
StDa11.ss
Mrs FrothinghaR shook her |
head aoggedly, as If d%termined to
tell this, cevn though it should
reaeund to the Counts discredit.
Aud it did.
Isaaeu," said Fleming Stone,
tAa adds motive to the theory
sof the Counts guilt. If he is In
ssove with Miss Stuart, might he
not have been tempted to put
Miss Darlington ont of the way
that Miss Stuart should inherit
Mi,e fortune, and be the bride of
his choicei"
Indeed, yes, that is a POSSIBLE
1ty, and Fleming Stone saw at
zast that this woman either sus-
spected the Count guilt or wished
- make it appear so.
Again, the sudden thought
struck him: Suppose she was SO
Jealous of the Counts attentions
to Bliss Darlington that she went
TO Garden Steps with the intent
OF killing the lady. Suppose she
did go upstairs, although she de-
MED if, and put the poison in the
sandwich. Surely, she had oppor-
ennity- Surely, she would now
der4y it.
Fleming Stone sighed. He hated
: ease where the principal wit
snezses were women. One never
cclld tell when they were lying.
a man, now, was much more
transparent and his evidence more
easily weighed.
However, If this woman desired
y turn suspicion toward Count
Ehariier, it was either because
&C suspected him, or was impisI
n<ated herself. ID either case her
1Nord WIS not worth much, and
15tone took his leave to hunt al
lore promising field.
ladturning to Garden Steps. he
stlat Pauline had received
frnm her cousin ia Ecypt.
~ 1efraid,s said, a. she