The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-11-30
The Case and
The Girl


(ce.tinssd from second pase)
plain anything to the =ssrvant In
charge except to state briefly that
Sexton would be his guest for the
night, the captain hurried into the
waiting elevator. and accompanied BY
his companion. ascended to his apart
ment absve.
Tho reaction from the excitement
Of the evening left Sexton dull and
drowsy once he felt secure from any
possible danger. H4s only desire was
to lie quiet, and forget. Stretched
out on q comfortable lounge, he fell
asleep almost instantly, making no ef-
fort even to remove his clothes. West
was Of q different temperament. his
mind far too active to find sleep pos
sible. bis only desire was to think,
plan. decide upon some future course
Of action. With mind busy, forgetful
OF the very presence Of his companion,
he INDUCED In a bath. again dressed
himself. and, lighting q cigar, settled
back into an easy chair to fight the
whole out alone with himself.
Tho mystery confronting him ap-
peared more difficult Of solution than
ever. He was moro thoroughly con-
Ninced than ever that Percival Coo
lidge had been murdered; that the
act had been committed either by Ho-
bart himself, or under his direction.
He possessed no proof, however, nor
could he figure out q motive for the
crime. Who was this Jim Hobart?
Was he In any way personally inter
ested in the fortune left by Stephen
Coolidgef Or did he hold any special
relationship with the murdered mani
More important still, what peculiar
influence did the fellow exert over
the girl3 Here was by far the deeper
mystery. the one that troubled him
most. The others seemed possible of
explanation, but the sudden change In
Natalie Coolidge was beyond all un-
derstanding.
Except in face, form, dress, outward
appearance, she no longer seemed to
West as being the same woman he
had formerly known. His original in
terest in her had vanished; he had
learned to distrust and doubt her sim
cerity and truth. Beyond all question
she was openly playing an important
part In this tragedy under Hobart's
direction, but for the life Of him he
could not figure out to what end. Still
the very mystery Of 1t had its fascina.
ton. While he felt no longer any spe-
cial desire to serve her, to further risk
his life In her cause, yet he expert.
enced q fierce determination to learn
what all this really meant; to un-
cover the object these conspirators
had in view. II Natalie was involved
It could not be helped, she would have
to suffer with the rest; his own duty
was clear. a'~
Yet how could he begin action7
What clew did he possess which could
be followed7 Practically none. Be-
fore morning, that saloon on Wray
street would unQuestionably be de-
serted. except perhaps by its propri.
etor. and Mike would simply deny
everything. Two possibilities re-
mained; the police might have some
record Of 4he fellow, might know his
favorits haunts. even be able to 10.
cate his next probable hiding place. II
not the only hope remaining would
seem TO be Natalie Coolidge. She
would undoubtedly return to Fair
lawn; was probably there already,
and, by shadowing her, the where
abouts Of Hobart would surely bs ~
vealed either sooner or later.
But possibly there was quicker
way to learn their purpose than by
thus seeking to find either. II 1t was
the Coolidge fortune which was at
stake, why not endeavor to learn In
whose trust It was being held. and
what steps were being taken to safe
guard it, He could explain the ma
ture Of his interest to an attorney,
and be advised how to proceed. Deter
mined to take all three steps the first
thing next day, West rested back COM
fortably In the chair. already half
asleep. One hand rested In his pocket,
and as his fingers fumbled some object
there. he suddenly recalled the knife
Sexton had round in the aiiey.
He drew the article forth curiously.
and looked at 1t under the glow of
the electric light-it was q small
nlver-handled penknife, such as a
lady might carry. rather strange
thing to be discovered In a dirt alley
back Of Wray street. The incongruity
struck frfm forcibly, and he sat up,
wide awake once more, seeking for
some mark Of Identification on the
polished handle. There was none, not
an inscription Of any kind. but he
noted that the single slender blade did
not fit closely down into Its place.
He opened 1t idly to learn the cause
beneath appeared the white gleam
Of tightly folded paper.
(To be continued next wetk)