Graham guardian., 1922-11-14

|
stand by you. We, put this and that
together, carried out some investiga-
lions quietly, and arrived at definite
conclusion"
"What investigationsT
"In the field where the body was
found first," West went on steadily,
but no longer looking at her, tracing
the different tracks through the clover.
Then / looked up that cottage In Arch
street, and thus learned about Hobart.
Somehow he seemed to fit into the pic
ture, and your mysterious visit there
made me anxious to interview the man.
He had left no address, however, just
faded out Of sight suddenly, which In
creased suspicion. Then, when we
were completely baffled, Sexton learned
about your conversation over the tele-
| phone"
"How? Was he at the house2"
"Yes he went out at my suggestion"
| "And heard me repeat this number?"
"It makes no difference how he got
the Information; we knew you were
coming here this afternoon, and
jumped at the conclusion that you
were going to meet Hobart for some
| reason"
every bright. am sure" and there
was tone Of relief In her voice. "And
that Is your whole story. I supposef
| What does II amount tor"
Not very much, perhaps"
"And 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"
II had two purposes" he insisted
''either of which Justify. ! felt It
duty to locate this man Hobart; and
also to warn you of the danger you
were In"
Warn mel" she laughed scornfully.
That is ridiculous enough surely. ]
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 manf A
duty to whom7"
'.To the state, If 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 that -
II know 1t, Miss Natalie; the evil
dence is beyond question; he was MUIR
dered in cold blood"
"But by whom7 For what purposeT
"These points are not yet deter
mined l am only sure of the crime"
"Yes, but--but you suspect Jim Ho-
bart. Isn't that truel You came here
seeking him--yes. and mes You even
think know how this death, occurred.
You-you connect 1t with my fortune"
"No, Miss Natalie" he protested
stoutly, moved by her agitation "The
cause is a mystery and who did It
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
Percival Coolidge the very day OF his
death; because his sudden disappear
ance furnished the only clue"
''And that Is all the knowledge YOU
p0ssess, absolutely all2"
sYes; am, no more than cropping in
the dark. My main object in coming
was to put you on your guard
You have repeated these suspicious
to no one else? The pnlicef"
ITO no one. Only Sexton and have
even talked the matter over. We are
both too loyal to you to ever say a
word which might be to your injury"
She suddenly held out her hand, and
be took 1t, conscious Of the firm clasp
OF her fingers.
II thank you, Captain West" she
said sincerely, 'and believe your pur-
pose was honorable. You have told me
frankly all you suspect, and doubtless
you have reasons. You have simply
made a mistake, that is all. Percival
Coolidge was not murdered: he killed
affairs, and knew he was about to be
discovered. You have got upon a
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.
'sThis man Hobart-who Is he? What
connection does he have with your af-
fairsT'
She hesitated slightly, yet her eyes
did not fall, or her apparent cor
diality change. 4
"AIr. Hobart" she explained, II
have known for years. told you be-
fore he was once in my fathers en-
ploy. Now he is % private detective
and was employed on my case, before
/ advertised for you. l thought then
he was not accomplishing anything,
but at our interview Sunday, all was
cleared up"
'In the presence of Percival Cool
idge?"
Eyes he was given week In which
TO strnighten matters. That is why
lie killed himself"
~ n.