The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-01-30

Stuart" he said, THAT this
thought should overcome you.
But we must realize the fact that
the theory of a professional bur
glar is practically untenable, be-
cause nothing was stolen. A bur-
glars motive could be only rob-
berry, and this did not take place.
Nor can we think that a burglar
was frightened away before he
could appropriate the jewels. For,
after giving the poison and before
the blow was given, sufficient
time elapsed for a successful get
away to be made. Nor would the
burglar have been at pains to
cover up his poisoning work for,
having anhieaaA his end, he.
would have secured his booty and
made escape. SO, it is evident
that the motive, not being rob
/ berry, is as yet unknown, and may
be obscure and complicated
"What could it have beeni'
asked Pauline, her composure re-
gained, he: voice low and even.
Scofield looked at her. ut is
said, Miss Stuart, that the only
motives for murder are love, re-
venge OF gain. Can you imagine
any one Of these directed toward
your auntf"
Pauline replied TRANQUILITY. Evil
IDENTIFY she had fully recovered
her poise. 81 can think of no
one who could have killed my
aunt for love; it is improbable
that she has ever done any one
such wrong as to call for such a
deed in revenge; as to gain, if you
mean pecuniary gain, all the lega-
tees mentioned in her will may
be said to have that motive"
Pauline's manner and tones
were SO impersonal, SC scathingly
ironic as to amount to a disclaimer
for all the legatees. Her way of
suggesting it made it seem so far
removed from possibility that it
was far more emphatic than any
denial could have been.
But Coroner Scofield was as
unmoved as his witress.
"Quite So" he said coolly;
and therefore inquiries must be
made. Did you, Hiss Stuart,
after leaving your aunt soon after
midnight see or hear anything
unusual or suspiciousa"
"What do you mean by un-
usual or suspicious3"
Il mean did you see or hear
anything, anything at all, that
you could not explain to yourself
as being in any way connected
with the tragedy we are investi-
gatingf"
Before answering Pauline looked
in turn at all the members of the
household. Haviland slowly
turned Ills head as if to look at
something across the room, and
as slowly brought it back to its
previous position.
81 did not" said Pauline, look
ing straight at the coroner.
"That is ALL" said Scofield
briefly, and the next witness was
called.
This was the maid, Estelle. Her
eyes were red with weeping, but
she was not hysterical now, or in
coherent. She answered tersely
questions as to Misa Darlington s
habits and as to hSr words and
actions during the &aid's last in
terview with her.
81 left her at about IL :45,o the
witness deposed; ~ had given
her the Oriental neg,igee, Of which
she was fond. / offered to take
down her hair and put-away her
jewels, but she declined those
services, and babe me leave her.
"She was wearing, when you
left her, only the jewels she had
worn during the EVENING""
"Only those, sir. When !
changed her evening gown for the
boudoir robe she babe me replace
such jewels as / had already taken
off her. She kept on her rings,
bracelets and her long rope of
pearls while I changed her cos
tune"
"And then she dismissed you
for the nightP
eyes, SIR"
where was she thenf Sitting
before the mirrorf"
"No, sir. She stood in the mid,
die of the floor"
Wa she in an amiable
mood?
"She was not. Because
offered to assist her further she
ordered me from the room in
anger"
.IM uot Me- Me- rou