Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-09-22

/ q OtCy ILLS DlOuSnL uS StOSCl "
gether."
"And you 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 me.
You not suppose know he-he die"
ooh, no; merely thought you
might have some suspicion, that was
ALL 1t was strange weapon he was
killed with"
"a strange weapon! What you
mean. strange weapon? Do they
know what it was that killed him?"
Certainly; it was picked up in the
bottom Of the auto-a dagger hat
pin, such as women wear. See, it
was just like this of mine."
She must have plucked the orna-
ment from out her own hat and laid
| it on the desk, for l 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, I'M
liable to command words.
''That thing' he burst forth final
| ly. "KilIed with that"
/ mo, not that; but one exactly like
it"
"Who says so--the police? Gott !!
it could not kill man. Why you tell
me this--why?'
"Oh, only because / 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, / 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 mans shadow
on the glass of the closed door. He
seemed to stand there hesitatingly
then he raped with his knuckles on
the glass.
/ f1attened myself out against the
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.
you, hey! What the devil do you
want here?"
"a word with you, and d-n
quick"
1t was Waldron's voice, but his
speech ended abruptly, as his eyes
i.aught sight of the woman. She
wasted no time.
Il was just going" she said calm
ly, ignoring him, but speaking directly
to Wine. II will see you tomorrow
then"
She passed between the two, with.
out so much as favoring the Russian
with 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-iatch.
"The d-n girl never locks this door
when she goes out" he muttered
angrily, wheeling about to face the
other. Now, speak up. will you
what sends you butting in here?'
'Well. first you tell me-" Numbered
Waldron, gripping the other angrily
with one hand, "whas business that
female has with you? Fly God. Wine.
if you are trying to double-cross, you'll
find me no easy mark. Answer, you
cur-what was she here for?'f
Nothing, only private business"
"You promised to see her tomor-
row?'
"Yes, it was TO pay note. Come
in here. and III explain all. There's
nothing to brighten you. Waldron."
The two disappeared into the inner
room. Waldron's voice still r,Imbling
with Wine interfering word no
and then ventured 70 s'ar. ~
again in the confines of tie -
and press my ear to the crack OF the
inner door. Both men were confident
of being alone, and so deeply i'm
mersed In their own affair as to speak
with little restraint. Waldron, really
affrightened at this discovery of Miss
Gessler. adopted the method of a bully
to carry his point, more eager than
ever to escape the city.
well" he began, humping the
desk with a fist, now you begin to
spill. Don't try to work any game
on me. What do you mean by pay
ing a note? You owe her something's
"No; now listen, and don't get mad.
l tell you just how 1t was" and Wine
endeavored to be smooth and plaus-
ible, his voice pitched so low | had
difficulty in hearing the words. "She
said ! was to succeed Alva, and be
the revolutionary agent; partly she
came to tell me this, but some way
she learning of my Indebtedness, that
l have an overdue note at the bank"
How the h-l did she know thatT'
II could not tell" apparently sur
Drised himself II never asked, but