The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-06-06
CHAPTER iIi-continued.

did not search the dead mans
pockets. l cared nothing who he was.
and did not want to know. My sole
desire was to acquit Jacquelne OF his
DEATH in the worlds eyes.
That he had come deservedly by 1t
l was positive.
-Four o'clock was striking while !
was climbing back into the room
again. Jacquelne lay on the bed In
the same position she had not stirred
during that hour.
took the knife from the floor
where I had flung 1t, scrubbed 1t, and
placed 1t in my suitcase. Then !
scrubbed the floor clean. afterward
rubbing 1t with a soiled rag to make
Its appearance uniform.
I thought / had finally removed all
traces of the affair; but, coming back.
I 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-
manned perfectly quiet in the room
crouching at Jacqueline's feet and be-
side the bed.
came to the conclusion that there
might have been a struggle that 1t
had run to its mistress's assistance,
and that the collar had been torn
from 1t by the dead man.
l picked the collar up and carried
1t into the next room and held it I'M
der the light. The letters of the
makers name were almost obliterated,
but after careful study I was able
10 make them out. The name was
Maclay & Robitailie. and the place of
manufacture Quebec, This confirmed
my belief concerning Jacqueline's ma
tlvity.
prled 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 Jacqueline and sat beside
her while she slept.
In little while it would begin to
tighten. and the advent of the day
filed me with sort of terror.
l watched the sleeping girl. Who
was she? How could she sleep so
calmly after that nights deed? The
mystery seemed unfathomahle 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
much.
raised her hand and held it 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 recogn-
ton in her look.
"Do you know me, JacqueiineY
asked.
MY friend Paul"
"Jacqueline, | am going to take you
home" | said. hoping that she would
tell me something, but | dared ask her
no more. | meant to take her to Que
bee and make inquiries there.
~ am going 10 take you home,
JacQueline.' l repeated.
"Yes, Paul" she answered in that
docile manner of hers.
ut is lucky you have your furs. be-
cause the winter Is cold where your
home u.s."
ayes. 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 u
persons newly awakened in a strange
land. But this state brought with il
no fear. only peaceful quetude and
faith which was very touching.
Nov, Iacqueline." ! said, 1--WE shall
have 20 begin to make ready for ouI
Journey"
had just remembered that the stor.
age company was to call that
day. The van would probably be ai
the house early in the morning, and il
wa = essential that we should be gone
before il arrived.
| showed Jacquelne the bathroom
and drew the curtains. Then | Wen
into the kitchenette and made coffe,
on the gas range, and, since ii wa
toe early for the arrival of my morn
ing loaf. which was placed just within
the street door by the bakers boy ey
cry day, | made some toast and but
tered II.
When ! took In the h-eakfas
Jaeouelns was waiting for re. look