Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1919-08-01
CHAPTER III-continued

pockets. cared nothing who he was,
end did not want to know. My sole
desire was to acQuIt JacQuellne of his
death, in the worlds eyes.
That he had come deservedly by II
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, and
placed II in my suitcase. Then
scrubbed the floor clean, afterward
rubbing It with a sOiled rag to make
fits appearance uniform.
thought l had finally removed all
traces of the affair; but, coming back,
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-
manned perfectly quiet in the room
crouching at Jacqueline's feet and be-
aide the bed.
came to the conclusion that there
might have been a struggle; that II
han run to its mlstress'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 I'M
der the light. The letters of the
makers name were almost Obliterated,
but after a careful study I was able
20 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 the
Journey which we were to undertake.
When had finished packing l went
back to Jacquellne and sat beside
her while she slept.
In a little while 1t would begin to
tighten, and the advent of the day
filed me with 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.
I, oman ho
bureau and disgorged bills. There
were tolls and rolls Of them-eight
thousand dollars did not seem too
much.
raised her hand and held II 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, hut there was also recOgni-
lion in her look.
"Dn you know me, JNcquelIne?" |
asked.
"AIy friend Paul."
"JacqrelIne, am going to take you
home" | said, hoping that she would
4
no more. meant to take her TO Que
bee and make Inquiries there.
81 am going TO take you home,
JacQueine," ! repeated.
Yes, Paul" she answered In that |
dOcile manner Of hers.
1T Is lucky you have your furs, be- |
cause the winter is cold where your |
home is"
Eyes, Paul" she repeated as before, |
and a few more prObings on my part |
convinced me that she remembered |
nGthlng Mt all. Her mind was like II
persons newly awakened In a strange |
land. But this state brought with II |
no fear. only a peaceful quietude and |
faith which was very touching.
"NOw, Jacqueline," said, I'VE shall |
have to begin to make ready for our |
journey"
had just remembered that the stOr-
age company was TO call that |
day. The van would probably be at |
the house early in the morning, aud II |
was essential that we should be gone
before 1t arrived.
! showed Jacquellhe Inc bathroom |
and drew the curtains. Then | went |
into the kitchenette and made coffee
on the gas range. and, since II was
too early for the arrival of my morn
ing 'af, which was placed just within
the 81 rect door by the bakers boy ev
cry day, ! made some toast and but
tered a.
when took In the breakfast
Jaeaueline was waiting for Lle. look