The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-10-07
BY Randall
Parrish
Author Of
sThe Strange Case
Of Cavendish"
OoDyrigAk ~ Randall PAszaSA

Is DIOOu-yeS. but born IN 70
land; Captain Alva's mother was also
a Pole: this brought Va closer to-
gether."
And you have no suspicion Of any
guilty Of this murder and robbery"
"Why should L? Why you ask me
thatY excitedly. There were many
there; perhaps all know except me.
You not suppose | know he-he dieT'
"Oh. no: | merely thought you
all. 1t was a strange weapon he was
killed with"
"A strange weapon! What you
mean, a strange weapon? Do they
know what it was that killed him."
Certainly; 1t was picked up in the
bottom OF the autO-a dagger hat
pin. such as women wear. See, it
was just like this of NINE"
She must have plucked the Orna-
Iment from out her own hat and laid
it on the desk, for l heard the faint
click of its fall. There was q mo
ment Of intense silence. and l could
vision the intense horror with which
he was staring at the instrument, un-
able to command words.
.::That thing! he burst forth Anal
ly. "Killed with that !"
mo, 0 that; but n exactly like
It,"
"Who says so-the police? Colt }!
it could not kill a man. Why you tell
me this-why?"
"Oh, only because l thought you
might be interested. However, let's
not talk about 1t any ore. You will
settle that account before the close
Of banking hours tomorrow"
Il? 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 or, revealed a mans shadow
on the glass of the closed door. He
seemed to stand there hesitatingly;
then he raped with his knuckles CD
the glass.
| fattened 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 a startled oath in his excite
ment. He strobe straight to the door.
and opened it with a jerk.
".You, hey! What the devil do you
want herew
"A word with you. and d-n
quick"
1t was Waldron's voice, but his
speech ended abruptly, as his ewes
caught 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 q 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.
1.-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, "what business that
female has with you? BY God. Wine,
II you are trying to double-cross. youM
find me no easy mark. Answer, you
cur-what was she here for?'
Nothing, only private business
"You promised to e her tomor-
row? p
Eyes, 1t was to pay a note. Come
in here. and I'll explain all. There's
nothing to frighten you. Waldron."
The two disappeared into the inner
room, Waldron's voice still rumbling.
with Wine interfering q word now
and then. l ventured to stand erect
again In the confines OF the closet,
and .)ress my ear to the crack Of the
inner door. Both men were confident
Of being alone. and 10 deeply Inn
mersed In their own affair as to speak
with little restraint. WaldrOn, really
afrightened 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, nov you begin to
spill. Don't try t work any game
on me. What do you mean by pay
ing a note? You owe her something's
mo; now listen. and don't get mad.
| 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 l was to succeed Alva. and be
the revolutionary agent; partly
came to tell me this, but some way
she learning Of my indebtedness, that
! have an overdue note at the bank"
How the hi did she know thatT'
Il could not TELL" apparently sur
priSed himself. II never asked, but