The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-03-13
and she took the bait like a hun
cry fish"
XIV.
WHO GAVE THE POIsONi

W d SWllI apprehension OIL Bates,
his next steps were not taken so
rapidly. He spent much time in
the boudoir Of Miss Darlington,
as if striving to make the walls
tell what their traditional ears
had heard.
The upset breakfast tray had
been removed, but nothing else
disturbed. Estelle had owned up,
after Bates arrest, that she did
drop the tray, in her fright at the
sight of the dead lady, and that
she afterward denied it lest she
be suspected of wrongdoing.
The plate that had contained
sandwiches was still on the bed
side table, but the glass Of milk,
with bromide in, had been carried
away.
Stone looked at the empty plato,
and wondered. Had the poison
been placed in the sandwichesf
By anybody else7 Who had had
opportunity? Estelle had brought
the sandwiches and milk to the
bedroom, according to her usual
custom, when she prepared the
bed for the night. A tiny serviette
had been over the sandwiches, and
was still there beside the plate.
Stone looked at it. A mere wisp
of fine linen, with a monogrammed
corner. The few wrinkles in it
showed clearly to Stones sharp
eyes the dainty touch of fingers
that had held the caviarre sand
witch. 1t undoubtedly denoted
that Miss Darlington had eaten
the sandwich. Had any one merely
removed it, the napkin would have
been increased. He had been told
that she rarely ate this night
luncheon, though it was always
placed for her. Why had she par
taken Of it on that particular
night? Had some one advised her
to? Or urged it9 Had the Count
really visited her in the boudoir
and, having previously arranged
the poisoned sandwiches, made
sure that it would perform it's
deadly mission? Could lie have
entered the room unknown to the
rest of the household
Stone went to the window. Yes,
that matter was easy enough. A
balcony outside the long French
window was connected with the !!
lower veranda by a spiral stair
case. Any one could run up the
steps and be admitted to the bou-
DOR in perfect secrecy. Stone
wondered for a moment why Bates |
hadn't entered that way, and
quickly realized that for a marau-
der to appear at the window would
have frightened Miss Darlington
and caused an cutlery. The en-
trance of the Count, however,
whether expected or not, would ;
be easily effected.
If the Count were really guilty,
the circumstances were all explic-
able. Suppose Miss Darlington
had made the appointment. Would
she not, in her vanity, have donned
the beautiful boudoir gown and
the Jewels to appear attractive
in his eyes7 And, supposing she
had playfully caught his glove as
he removed it, and had half un-
consciously continued to hold it.
Then the conversation alleged to
have been overheard by Miss
would have been ad-
dressed to him, and the remarks
would be, at least, Ineligible.
The snake7 All, yes, the snake.
AS to that there was no hint, no
clue Of any sort. But then, the
thing was so inexplicable that the
explanation must be easy. A clue
so strange, so bizarre, must lead
somewhere That could be left to
the future. Now, he must decide
on his first steps.
The decision took him to call
On DR.. Stanton, and the physician
welcomed him warmly.
"Glad to see you, Mr.. Stone"
he said; sit down, sir, sit down.
I've been wanting a talk with you
ever since | heard Of your arrival.
So you've ferreted out the burglar
already! Great work, great work
indeed! And now for the real
murderer. You see, sir, I'm up to
the minute in my information re.
.arding this case"
"Glad to know it," returned
"Now, DR.. Stanton, I hope.
you can help me. | don't mind
the thing has it's BAT
fling aSnectS The h,,rrlar WEE