Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-11-17

1t was not until the following day
that reason began to reassert itself,
and he succeeded In marshaling the
facts of the case more clearly in his
own mind. He even began to doubt
and question his own testimony, yet,
before he reached any real conclusion,
one Of the club servants approached
his chair.
Captain West. there Is man out
here asking to see you"
"A man. Where?"
II had him wait in the anteroom,
sir"
very well. Mapes."
1t was Sexton. twirling his hat nerv-
ously in his hands, and still standing
irresolutely in the middle of the floor.
AS sight Of West he took a hasty step
forward. eager to explain the cause Of
his presence.
You'll pardon me. sir" he burst
forth in apology, "But must see you.
sir"
That's quite all right, Sexton. Let's
step in here where we can talk quiet
ly."
He pointed the way into a private
card room. closing the door behind his
visitor.
''Take the seat over there. Sexton.
You came in to see me from Fair
lawn"
mo, sir. I didn't The fact is. I'm
not out there any longer"
"Not there! What do you mean?'
"Tve been discharged, sir, with two
other servants, since the funeral yes
terday."
discharged! BY whom? Not Miss
Natalie, surely?"
''Yes, sir. She didn't give no reason;
just said we were not wanted any
longer. That's one reason why came
here to see you, SIR
But hardly know how I can be of
help. l have no house of my own, and
well, the truth of the matter is, Sex
ton, just at present am not on very
good terms with the young lady my
self"
II know that, SIR" more confidently,
land it isn't position I am seeking,
at ALL | have quite tidy bit OF
money laid away, and could get plenty
of work. That's not the point, sir.
Why should Miss Natalie tell me to go
like that? 1t isn't a bit like her. sir;
she amt seemed natural at all lately,
and I tell you there's something wrong
gOin' on out there I'm sure o. that,
SIR
"Sure of what?"
well, for one thing, it's my opinion
that Percival Coolidge never killed
himself, sir"
West sat up stiffiy, as though struck
blow These words startled him;
drove his own mind into sudden ac~
tivity.
what makes you think that. Sex
TONI" he questioned slowly.
"Well, thfre's more than one thing"
as though glad to have made the
plunge, and anxious to justify himself.
But first of al :hat wasn't his re-
volver they found lying beside him. He
always had one in his valise, an it's
there now, or was when / looked to
see"
"You didn't tell that to the coroner"
"No, sir; he never put me on the
stand. Besides I didn't know about
it then. Did you notice where he was
shot, sir?''
paI,f x,I <1%o - rr11%
was plainly visible"
mot very easy for man to do him
self, SIR
mo, but possible, nevertheless. The
coroner was satisfied on that point"
Eyes, sir, but the coroner overlooked
one thing, sir. He was sure it was
suicide case, and wanted to get done
with 1t in a hurry. l and Simmons,
SIR, washed the body to get it ready
for burial, an I combtd the hair down
over the bullet wound. There wasn't
no powder marks on ehe skin, an not
hair was singed. sir. That's what
makes me say he never killed himself"
West sat silent and motionless. look
ing straight at the man opposite, en-
deavoring to decide on course of ac-
ton. Some way in the depth of his
earnestness, Sexton no longer appeared
servant. He was a man, voicing
mans heart. West realized the change
instinctively; here was an intelligent
loyal fellow. to be met frankly, and
for the time being, at least, on the
ground of equality. 1t would be use
less to try TO either mislead, or de
ceive.
Sexton" he began finally, "this is
a pretty serious charge you make, my
man, but since / have been thinking
things over, / confess some suspicious
circumstances have arisen in my owl
mind. OF course / was not aware of
these facts you have just related, but
they fit In nicely with some observa
tons of my own. The truth is" he
confessed frankly. 81 did not tell all
| knew to the coroner's jury. / meant
to do so, but the right questions were
not asked me, and certain details
slipped my memory untii too late. Do
xou raoou q houIdnr oS roeL aut in