Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1919-06-05
CHAPTER lli-Continued.

I did not search the dead mans
pockets. cared nothing who he was.
and did not want to know. My sole
desire was to acquit 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
che same position; she had not stirred
during that hour.
took the knife from the floor
where had flung it, scrubbed it. and
placed 1t in my suitcase. Then I
scrubbed the floor clean. afterward
rubbing 1t with a soiled rag to make
MS appearance uniform.
I thought 1 had finally removed all
traces Of the affair; hut, coming back.
] perceived something upon the floor
which had escaped my notice. 1t was
The leather collar Of the Eskimo dog.
with it's big silver studs and the max
er's silver name plate.
All this while the animal had re-
mained perfectly quiet In the room
cr6uching at Jacqueline's feet and be-
side the bed.
I came to the conclusion that there
might have been a struggle; that IT
had run to its mistress's assistance.
and that the collar had been torn
from 1t by the dead man.
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,
hnt after a careful study I was able
Naciay & RObitaille. and the place Of
manufacture Quebec. This confirmed
my belief concerning Jacquellne's na-
tiv'ty.
! pried the plate from the leather
and slipped 1t into my pocket. I put
the broken collar into my suit case.
together with the dagger, and then
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.
bo little while 1t would begin to
tighten, and the advent of the day
filled me with q sort of terror.
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 disgorged bills. There
were rolls and rolls Of them-eight
thousand dollars did not seem too
mnch.
Iraised her hand and held 1t In my
own, and 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-
tion in her look.
"Do you know me, Jacquelin.?"
asked.
"My friend Paul."
"Jacqueline, am going to take you
home" said, hoping that she would
tell me something, but 1 dared ask her
no more. meant to take her to Que
bee and make inquiries there.
II am going TO take you home.
JacQueline." repeated.
"Yes, Paul." she answered in that
dS.ile manner of hers.
1T 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 mt all. Her mind was like Il
PERSONS newly awakened In strange
land. But this state brought with it
no fear, only ii peaceful quietude ami
faith which was very touching.
"Now, Jacqueline," said, i've shall
have to begin to make ready for our
tourney"
had just remembered that the stor-
age company was to call that
dBy. The van would probably be at
the house early In the morning. aud 1t
WINS essential that we should be gone
before 1t arrived.
showed Jacqueline the bathroom
and drew the curtains. Then / went
into the kitchenette and made coffee
On the gas range. and, since 1t was
too early for the arrival Of my morn.
fng 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 Lie, look