The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-03-13

In these matters said Hayiland,
"but / didn't look for such quick
work as this. Why, you hadn't
even interviewed Estelle when
you came to your conclusions
about Bates
"No, but remember, / have seen
a full account Of all the evidence,
not only at the inquest, but all
that has been gathered by the po-
lice and by Mr.. Hardy here. Last
night / read all this carefully, and
it was enlightening on these points
that led up to today's work. But,
now, l don't mind telling you, MIR.
Haviland, that a much more diff
ficult and complicated problem
faces us, to discover who gave to
Miss Darlington the poison that
killed her."
"Have you any suspicions2"
and Gray looked the detective
straight in the eyes.
II have not, as yet," and Flem-
ing Stone returned the steady
gaze. Have youi"
Gray Haviland hesitated. Then
he said: ~ would gather not an
swer that question, Mr.. Stone. If
l should have suspicious, and they
should be unjust or i'll founded, is
it not better to leave them unmen-
toned, even to youY You are here
to discover the criminal. / can
not think my suspicious, if have
any, could help you, but They
might easily hinder you by wrong
suggestion"
every we'll, Mr.. Haviland, just
as you please. But l assume you
will tell me frankly anything you
may know or learn in the way of
direct evidence bearing on the
m~atter9"
"That, certainly" But, though
Haviland's words were a definite
promise, his tone and manner
seemed hesitant and a trifle vague.
Gam / to have the privilege Of
working with you, Mr.. Stone?"
inquired Hardy, his heart beating
unanimously lest he receive a
negative answer. q ,
eff you care to-. And If you
are willing to work in my way. /
am somewhat impatient of inter
ference or questioning. But, if you
want to assist in investigating, I'M
der my absolute orders, / shall be
glad to have you do 500 .
Nothing was further from Har-
dy's mind than to- interfere or to
show any undue curiosity con-
corning the work or methods of
the great detective. He ives more
than content to watch silently, to
run errands, and to make himself
useful in any way desired by his
superior. He said this, and Stone
nodded indulgently.
81 shall begin with this matter
Of the arrest Of Count Charlier,"
said Stone, as he looked over his
note book. "Either that man is
the guilty party Or he is not If
not, he must be released. Ii so,
it must be proven. What do you
know of his history, Mr.. Havi-
Jand2" @,'
every little, Mr.. Stone. In the
first place, / doubt his right to the
title he assumes"
"You do2 And whyf
Haviland looked a little embar-
raised. "I'm not sure I know why.
But he doesn't act like a real
Count"
"YesY And how do real Counts
act, I mean in ways that differ
from this mans habitsf"
"You're having fun with me,
Mr.. Stone" and Gray blushed like
a school boy. "But I mean it. It's
this way: I'm not a Count, but i
1 wanted to pretend l was I'd act
Just as Count Charlier does.
There!"
"Good! That's definite, at least.
Now make it a little more so by
describing some Of these actions z
"Well," and Haviland g brow
wrinkled; "well, to begin with,
his manners r too slick and pol
ished." "
"A traditional trait Of French
men,"
"Yes, if real. But his seem ar
tificially, purposely--oh, fakely
polished Have you seen him, Mr..
.Stonef",
No, not yet" =
"When you do, You sec what
I mean. He has shifty eyes, and
he rubs his hands together, and
if he's standing he half bows with
every sentence he utters, and he
smirks instead Of smiling, and his
whole attitude is q $3.50 OF apol,