The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-10-12
BY Randall
Parrish
Author Of
The Strange Case
Of Cavendish"

Dy Dut III
land; Captain Alva's mother was als<
, Pole; this brought US closer to
gether."
"And yNI have no suspicion Of any
: one who could have known, and been
guilty Of this murder and robbery
"Why should l? Why you ask me
that?" excitedly. There were many
there; perhaps all know except ma
You not suppose know he-he die r
"Oh, no; I merely thought you
might have some suspicion, that waa
all. 1t was, strange weapon he was
killed WITH"
"A strange weapon! What you
mean, a strange weapon? Do they
know what 1t was that killed him?"
Certainly; 1t was picked up in the
bottom OF the auto-a dagger hat
pin. such as women wear See, Il
was just like this Of mine."
She must have plucked the orna.
ment from out her own hat and laid
1t on the desk, for heard the faint
click Of its fall. There was a mo-
ment Of intense silence, and I could
vision the intense horror with which
he was staring at the instrument, UNI
able to command words.
"That thing!" he burst forth final.
ly. "Killed with that"
mo, not that; but one exactly like
It,"
"WhO says sO-the police? Gottl
1t could not kill man. Why you tell
me this-why?"
"Oh, only because l thought you
might be interested. However, let's
not talk about it any more. You will
settle that account before the close
Of banking hours tomorrow?
II? Yes, l will SETTLE"
There was the sound Of a foot on
the cement floor Of the corridor with.
out, and, almost at the same instant
the electric light, which had been
turned on, revealed a mans shadow
on the glass of the closed door. He
seemed to stand there hesitatingIy;
then he raped with his knuckles on
the glass.
flattened myself out against tho
inner wall of the closet, aware that
the two in the second Office were COM
ing forward together. Wine giving
vent to startled oath in his excite
ment. He strobe straight to the door,
and opened it with jerk. II
"You, hey! What the devil do you
want here?" II
"A word with you, and d--n
quick" II
1t was Waldron's voice, but his
speech ended abruptly, as his eyes |
caught sight of the woman. She
wasted no time. Il
Il was just going" she said CALM
~, ignoring him, but speaking directly
to Wine. Il will see you tomorrow
then"
She passed between the two, with
out SO much as favoring the Russian
with a glance, and he stared after
her with open mouth, then stepped,
back to watch her progress down the
corridor. Wine drew him hastily
aside, closing the door tightly and
shooting the night-latch.
''The d-n girl never locks this door
when she goes out" he muttered
angrily, wheeling about to face the
other. snow, speak up, will you'll
what sends you butting in here?"
'Well, first you tell me-" Numbered
gripping the other angrily
with one hand, "what business that
female has with you? BY God, Wine,
Il you are trying to double-c cross, you'u
lind me no easy mark. Answer, you
cur--what was she here for?' III
Nothing, only private business"
"You promised to see her tomor.
row." |,
"Yes, 1t was to pay a note. Come
N here, and I'll explain ALL There's I
1othing to frighten you. Waldron."
The two disappeared into the inner I
'oom, WaldrOn's voice still rumbling.
with Wine interfering a word now Z
md then. ventured to stand erect
'gain in the confines of the closet,
md press my ear to the crack of the s
nner door. Both men were confident
If being alone and so deeply i'm G
nersed In their own affair as to speak
With little restraint. Waldron, really {
Enlightened ut this discovery of Miss
iessler. adopted the method of a bully
o carry his point. more eager than ,
'ver to escape the city.
WELL" he began, humping tho
lesk with fist, now you begin to
pill. Don't try to work any game I
m me. What do you mean by pay n
ng note? You owe her something?" a
mo; now listen, and don't get mad. q
tell you just how it was," and Wine
ndeavored to be smooth and plaus- n
BILE, his voice pitched so low l had S
|ifhculty In hearing the words. "She
aid l was to succeed Alva, and be
he revolutionary agent; partly she
anne to tell me this, but some way
he learning of my Indebtedness, that
have an overdue note at the bank" c
"How the HI did she know thatY" c
Il could not tell" apparently sur
rised himself. II never asked. but E,
maybe krantz he told her. When u