The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-10

Gent TO write one line concerning
Oswald Street in the most effectual
manner. Beyond doubt he had been
overcome by his assailant. Brander-
wine was a man of poor physique, your
lover a man of the most powerful
the throat of an old, weak man was
an act involving little difficulty for a
young, strapping giant.
Then, If Street was not guilty, who
was? It was shown that the professor
locked himself in his study every eve
ming for two hours work. This rule
was never broken. His man-servant
who had been with him for thirty years
never admitted any one Indeed. that
night the door had to be forced before
Branderwine was found lifeiess. Had
some one else climbed to the balcony?
Most improbable. Besides, there had
been a slight fall Of snow, and it held
the impression of but one set Of foot
marks-Street's Suicide? Not TO be
imagined. The professor enjoyed his
life. Finally, he had himself written
the truth down in his last moments.
Now, what could be palmer than
this? How. in heavens name am I
or any intellect more acute than mine
in a position to clear the man who
loved you? What is there to catch
hold of? Where is there a mystery in
all this or a suspicion Of mystery?
You affirm that Oswald Street was
Your faith compels admiration. It is
sublime"
Then why have you come to me
now?" said Miss Wildrave.
Tredways got up and walked to the
window. He really had no answer
ready. We watched him, and waited.
He drummed on the pane with impa-
tent fingers.
rs this the room where the thing
happened?" he asked.
Yes"
The wrought-iron balcony was built
the width of the house. Outside was a
quiet, rather private road, with a
railed-in strip of garden filled with
azaleas whose somewhat sickly per-
fume was waited through the open
window. Beyond was a narrow road
used only by tradesmen's carts, and
the view was ended by the backs OF
the opposite houses.
why am hcre?" echoed my friend
at last returning. 1T is a mistake.
should not have troubled you. One
cannot make bricks without straw.
AsS-Sd40 l1l4b diLd1T lIOI1 every POM
of view and one glimpse no shred of a
shadow of mystery. I cannot invent
it, you will admit. It is as simple 4
matter as that Of the case of a man
who shoots another in broad daylight,
in a crowd. Your lover was the
cause of Professor Branderwine's death.
Whether he was the indirect cause
matters not to me. Can you really be-
lieve, in your heart of hearts, this story
of his about Branderwine asking him
to hand him a poisonous draught?"
That means that you yourself dis
credit it?" asked the girl.
yes, indeed was the blunt response.
I'm that case, I will relieve your
doubts altogether and complete your
scepdcism," said Miss Wildrave with
sudden resolve.
II will tell you of an incident which
will ease you Of any embarrassment in
abandoning the matter. I had been
in the habit of meeting Oswald once
or twice a week in certain part of
Hyde Park, after dusk, in a glade
which we loved for its beautiful syca-
more and it's comparative privacy
After was forbidden to see him, ]
kept away; but one evening I turned
in that direction just for old times
VIII LnOQBQI UnOIIlg nlIO
The light of a full moon was descend
ing through the tops of the trees, and
by it saw Oswald standing motion
less. as if waiting for me. His back
was toward me, but I knew it was
Oswald, for he was wearing his naval
uniform. I stopped, undecided. I hac
given my word not to yield to any
request for an interview. At that in
slant he turned round and I saw his
face lit"
The girl paused. She wiped he1
moist palms on her handkerchief.
"wen?" questioned Tredways. en-
couragingly.
Il received a shock for which I can
not account" was the strange answer
| He had changed. He looked fright
fully i'll. His white, his bloodless face
was that Of a spectre, and-smile a
me If you Hke-it caused a strange
| thrill Of fear that made my heart trem-
BILE. I was standing in thick shadow
so that he did not see me. But
fancy he had heard my approach, fol-
he took a step forward, lowering hi:
head and peering from side to side.
/ simply cannot account for the sensa.
| ton almost Of terror which I exper
fenced; but I will confess the absurd
4
blood; it was that Oswald was dead
and that the pallid, frozen countenanc,
which I saw was that Of his phantom
| edged away out Of sight and returneS
| home feeling III. well-nigh hystericaL'
Miss Wildrave was 50 moved by thu
| recollection that Tredways directed hi
eyes elsewhere. They rested upon TIL
bizarre painting which I have men
| Toned and remained there, steadily re
garding il. This also seemed the fac
Of man without life. Was 1t possibl
| that he was connecting the tTo7
think so. for he was on the point o
raising himself from his chair whel
| Miss Wildrave continued.
Ny nerves were SO unstrung tina
night at dinner" she went on, tina
my uncle noticed it He asked bluntl.
+ I had seen Oswald. Not knowing
Just what answer to make I STAN
1 -oe-ed fhiF7r~ mint eIlfe-ffTA