Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-12-23

q
one. He could not clearly anaiyze this
result. yet she was either acting
part TO conceal her true emotions, or
else she was really Indifferent.
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 a man out
here asking TO see you"
"A man Wherew
81 had him walt in the anteroOm,
sir"
"Very well. Mapes."
II was Sexton. twlrling 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 private
card room, closing the door behind his
visitor.
Take the seat over there, Sexton.
You came in to see me from Fair
awn?"
"No. sir, l didn't. The fact is. I'm
not out there any longer"
"Not there What do you meanT
"Tve been discharged, sir. with two
other servants. since the funeral yes
terday."
Discharged BY whomf Not Miss
Natalie. sureIy7"
'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 can be Of
help. have no house of my own, and
we'll. the truth of the matter is. Sex
ton. just at present am not on very
good terms with the young lady my
self"
81 know that, sir" more confidently,
land II isn't a position I am seeking.
at all. I have quite a 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 thatf II isn't bit like her, sir;
she aIn't seemed natural AZ all lately,
and tell you there's something wrong
goin' on out there. I'm sure O. that,
sir"
"Sure Of what7"
"Well, for one thing. it's my opinion
that Percival Coolidge never killed
himself, sir"
West sat up stiftly as though struck
a blow. These words startled him
drove his own mind into sudden ac-
tivity.
"What makes you think that, Sex
TONI" he questioned slowly.
"Well, there's more than one thing"
as though glad 10 have made the
plunge, and anxious to justify himself
"But first VI AZ nat isn't his re-
volver they found lying t-eslde him. He
always had one in his valise. an It's
there now, or was when I looked to
see"
"You didn't tell that to the coroner"
mo. sir; he never put me on the
stand Besides I didn't know about
II then. Did you notice where he was
shot. slr7"
Behind the right ear; the wound
was plainly visible"
mot very easy for man to do him
self. sir"
mo. but possible, nevertheless. The
coroner was satisfied on that point"
ayes, sir, but the coroner overlooked
enc thing, sir. He was sure IT was p
suicide case, and wanted to get done
with II in a hurry. and Simmons
SIR, washed the body to get II ready
for burial. an | combtd the hair down
over the bullet wOund. There wasn't
no powder marks on rhe skin, an not
a nair was slnged sir. That's wha
makes me say he never killed himself
West sat silent and motionless. look I
ing straight at the man opposite. en-
deavOring to decide on a course Of &C
ton. Some way in the depth Of his
earnestness, Sexton no longer appeared
a servant. He was a man, voicing q
mans heart. West realized the change
instinctlvely: here was an lnteIligen
loyal follow. to he met frankly, anf
for the time being, at least on tho
ground Of equality. II would he use
less to try to either mislead, or de
ceive.
Sexton" he began finally, this IS
a pretty serious charge you make. M
man, but since 7 have been thinking
things over. I confess some suspicion.
circumstances have arisen In my owl
mind or course / was not aware Of
these facts you have just related but
they fit In nicely with some observa
lions of nv own. The truth is" ht