The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-11-23

sand the two Of you came out here
seeking to learn my business, to pry
into my personal affairs. That was
not very gentlemanly act, Captain
West, and hardly see how you can
justify yourself" -
had two purposes" he insisted,
"either of which Justify. I felt 1t a
duty to locate this man Hobart; and
also to warn you of the danger you
were In"
Warn mew she laughed scornfully,
'That Is ridiculous enough surely. I
have a perfectly good reason for being
here, but am not accountable to you
In any way for my movements. A duty
you say-a duty to locate this man? A
duty to whom~
ITO the state, IL no one else" he an.
swered gravely. "Percival Coolidge did
not commit suicide; he was murdered" {"
"Murdered" she came to her feet
with utterance Of the word. "You can.
not think thatr'
Il know 1t, Miss Natalie; the evi-
dence is beyond question; he was mur.
dered in cold blood"
"But by whom2 For what purpose?"
These points are not yet deter
mined; I am only sure Of the crime"
Yes, but-but you suspect Jim Ho-
bart. Isn't that true? You came here
seeking him-yes, and me. You even
think know how this death occurred.
You-you connect 1t with my fortune"
mo, Miss Natalie" he protested
stoutly, moved by her agitation "The
cause is mystery. and who did II
equally mysterious. The evidence thus
far unearthed is all circumstantial."
Then why did you come out here
searching for HobartT
because Of his strange meeting with
Parcival Coolidge the very day Of his
death; because his sudden disappear
ance furnished the only clue"
"And that is all the knowledge you
possess, absolutely all2"
YES; am no more than cropping in
the dark. My main object in coming
was to put you on your guard"
7 You have repeated these suspicious
to no one else? The policeT
ITO no one. Only Sexton and I have
even talked the matter over. We are
both too loyal to you to ever say
word which might be to your injury"
She suddenly held out her hand, and
he took it, conscious Of the firm clasp
Of her fingers.
81 thank you, Captain West" she
said sincerely, "and believe your pur.
pose was honorable. You have told me
frankly afhyou suspect, and doubtless
you have reasons. You have simply
made mistake, that is all. Percival
Coolidge was not murdered; he killed
himself because he had muddled nv
affairs, and knew he was about to be
discovered. You have got upon n
wrong trail. VIII you accept my word
for this, and drop the whole matter
here?"
West was almost convinced, but not
quite; the explanation had not been
sufficiently explicit.
"This man Hobart-who Is he ? What
connection does he have with your af-
fairs?"
She hesitated slightly, yet her eyes
did not fall. or her apparent cor
diulty change.
"Mr. Hobart" she explained, II
fore he was once in my fathers en-
ploy. Now he is a private detective,
and was employed on my case, before
I advertised for you. I thought then
ne was not accomplishing anything,
but ut our interview Sunday, all was
cleared up"
"In the presence Of Percival Cool
idge?'
"Yes he was given a week In which
to straighten matters. That Is why
he killed himself"
"But why is 1t necessary for you
to meet Hobart in place like this
veriSable thieves denT
She shrugged her shoulders, releas-
ing his hand.
"He has not completed his work,
and does not think 1t best for us to
be seen together. know him so we'll
am not at all afraid, even here. Is
that all. Captain West?'
"It seems to explain everything" he
admitted. yet far from satisfied.
"And you will drop the whole af.
falr?" she asked anxiously.
~f say yes--whatf
You Will he released from here, of
course, and the whole misunderstand-
Ing forgotten"
"And Otherwlse?"
II have no means OF knowing what
the men intend to do. They will ac-
cept your pledge, I am sure"
POSSIBLY, but am not so sure l
will consent to give such pledge"
'"Then you do not accept my word;
do not believe what I have told your
"Not that exactly, Miss Natalie;
I could have faith in your word, ex-
cept that I believe you to he mistaken,
deceived Hobart is not square; he Is
using you for his own ends. Under
these conditions. l would be u coward
to give such a promise, and leave you
helpless in this mans power"
"YOu intend then to refuse?'
81 do; I'll fight 1T out"
She stared at him, scarcely believ
Ing her own ears, her lips parted, a
look of angry fright I'm her eyes.
"You are fool, Captain West" she