The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-06-23
ulustra4iosse
by
IrwinMyess


apartment near midnlght2 If only by
the sacrifice OF her good nnme could
go free, then let me stay in my cell.
Let me even go to the electric chair.
I would not have my life at the loss
Of my beloved's reputation.
One other thing 1 had kept from my
lawyer-my discovery OF the passage
way between the walls in my great
uncle's apartment. If I could not get
German to believe In this secret pass
age which l was convinced had some
connection with the mysteries and the
whisperings at the Grnnddeck, there
was little likelihood that McGregor
would believe my tale either. Given
one single hour in my quarters at the
Grnnddeck and 1 would have dscov-
cred whittier 1t led and who used 1t,
but once man Is charged with muir
der, his hands are tied. 1t was fu-
tile for me to mention it again, even
to the detective or to my lawyer, until
such time as could show 1t to them
and convince them that I knew what
was talking about
While l was debating the situation
In my cell, a keeper opened the doOr.
you're wanked downstairs" he an
nounced.
"What is it2" 1 asked, wonderingly.
"You've got visitor"
"Who?" I questioned eagerly. Could
1t, wondered, be Barbara7 Had my
sternly rcpressed longing to see her
In some way communicated itself to
her through the ether and impelled
her to throw caution to the winds and
come to the prison to see me2
II don't know" the keeper answer
ed. "It's man. don't know who
he is."
A man. Who could 1t be? In all
the monotOnous time had been be-
hind the bars, only two men had come
to see me, German and McGregor. 1t
could not be either of them, for both
were well known to the prison attend
ants. AS FASTENED down the long
corridor past the dismal row Of barred
doors was revolving in my mind the
possibilities of my callers identity.
Who could 1t be7 Spurred on by
my curiosity. fastened into the cnun-
sci room. There sat my great-uncle
Rufus
He looked in much better physical
condition than when had last seen
him, more vigorous and healthier His
skin was Drowned from exposure to
the sun and wind, and his eyes were
clearer and brighter. AS studied his
face could trace no vestige there of
the terrible fear that had seemed to
obsess him on the last occasion of our
meeting.
For moment we eyed each other
without speaking. was wondering
and we'll think might-whether
the suspicious had at times in regard
to him had been wholly without foun-
dalton. Could 1t be possible that the
crafty, miser!y old chap was the mas
ter fAlltd at the bottom OF all the
mystery and plotting? AS my previous
Suspicions came up In my mind I de.
fermined to be wary In what I said
to him. The fires Of anger toward
him began to kindlc within me as I
looked ut him. I felt that it was his
fault that / was locked up here.
Meanwhile he had been studying me.
His keen old eyes had surveyed me
from head to foot, returning to rest
hXedly on my face, rs though he was
trying to read my thoughts. won
dcrcd what was passing In his
mind. Was he inwardly chortling
at the plight In which no found
me? Was he distressed to see
a blood-relative behind the bars? Did
he believe that I was guilty Of the
murder Of Daisy Lutan? How had he
learned Of my arrest2 What was his
purpose In coming to see me? But
his expression was unfathomable, so
far as I was concerned.
He was the first 10 speak.
"so--you didn't do 1t, did your
,"Of course not" I retorted indig-
nantly. did you suspect that was
murderer2"
He shook his head disparagingly,
smiling an inscrutable smile.
"The evidence against you certainly
looks convincing"
II don't care" exclaimed with
heat 'pm as innocent Of the killing
OF Daisy Lutan as'--I hesltated- -f'as
you are"
He nodded his head approvingiy.
There, there, boy, don't get excited.