Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-12-30
CHAPTER vIl-cOntInued.


"Where was It the three of you
went on Sunday in the runabout, Cap
tain West?" asked Sexton.
ITO a house over in the factory dis
trict; some charity case that Coolidge
was interested in--the widow of one
of his employees, l believe.
did you see the people?"
mo, I didn't go in; waited outside
in the car; it was no affair of mine.
Why?" he asked in surprise.
Because, sir, Miss Natalie seemed
like a different person when she got
back. Not in looks, or nothing like
that / don't mean, but in the way
she talked and acted. Nothing suited
her all the rest of the day. You
know how she was to you, sir. Well
she was just that snappy with all of
us, even after we brought the body
back to the house. And she wouldn't
look at HIM. sir, not even after he was
dressed proper and laid out"
Il hardly believe" said West
thoughtfully, you can attribute her
state Of mind to anything that oc-
cured on that trip Indeed she was in
high spirits all the way home"
Il can't help that, sir" Sexton in
sisted blindly. ut was something that
happened yesterday what set her
wrong, an if was you, sir, I'd find
out what happened in that house first
of all. Could you find the placer"
Eyes, l think so. I'll look it up, al
though / don't have much faith in your
theory" He glanced at his watch 'Ill
80 out there now. You come back here
about five, and we will talk over any
discoveries l may make"
and what shall / do, sir?"
Both were standing, West with hand
on the knob of the door. The light in
his eyes hardened.
Nothing occurs to me now, Sexton
I'M ess you can find an excuse to return
to Fairlawn, after something you have
forgotten, let us say. If we can learn
what Miss Natalie proposes doing it
might furnish a clue"
Very well, sir. and am to be here
at five o'clock"
Eyes. at five; 1 viii leave word with
the doorman to show you in at once
West picked up a taxi-cab for the
trip, bidding the chauffeur to drive TO a
certain section of the city, and then
up and down the various streets I'M
til told to stop. His conversation with
Sexton had greatly strengthened his
conviction that this was a murder
and he had determined to ferret out
the truth if possible. Yet thus nr
there was nothing to build upon, no
clue, no motive, no suspicion as to
who had perperrated the deed. He
simply faced a blank wall, in which no
entrance was apparent, yet there must
be one, if he was only fortunate
enough to stumble upon it. Deep down
IN his heart West was conscious that
he possessed a motive In this search
far more worthy than mere curiosity
That motive was Natalie Coolidge. He
smiled at the thought, yet confessed
It true. In spite Of her curt dismissal,
his memory of the girl eentered about
those earlier hours of their acquaint-
ance. Something mysterious had oc-
CURED to make her change so quickly,
and he was unwilling to condemn her
before learning the real reason.
The chauffeur drove slowly up and
down obscure streets for half an
hour before West recognized familiar
surroundings, and motioned for him
to draw up against the curb. he
had discovered the place sought. but
from the street 1t exhibited no signs
of occupancy, nor did any knocking at
the front door bring response from
within. He clrcled the building. Every
door was locked, but, as he passed
along the other side to regain the taxi,
g man emerged from the next house.
and hailed him.
say what're yer snoopin' round
there tor? Lool1in' for somebody?
yes, the parties who were here
Sunday What's become Of them 2"
Hobart, you meanE
rs that his name2 7 met him down
town and he told ne to come here,
West explained rspidly. 1--WE hat
deol IN
cor a3d hey" leaning his arms
On WeH Jim Hobart was
p 7haf'S nv house.