The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-03-02
cHfPTER x-contlnued.

waiting for him TO say more she in
terrupted, Il never heard a thing; mo-
a thing"
BARLEY studied her carefully as he
asked, Are you sure?"
Her face paled. then the color re-
turned, but again she replied. II heard
nothing until that horrible cry rang
out"
/ saw her shudder as If the mem.
DRY of II were almost too much for
her. but she continued bravely. 81
dered what had happened. 1t fright
ened me-so much-that l can't tell
just what happened after that"
She seemed to be telling the truth ;
yet i could not understand how any
one had gotten near enough to Briffeur
to kill him without the person next to
him hearing his approach.
BARLEY toyed with a piece Of paper
a second. then smiled as he said, ''Of
course. the cry startled you, Miss Pot
ter. But before or after II came, can
you think of no little occurrence that
might help us? Nothing at all?"
She was silent for long time, then
slowly. as IL apologize. she answered.
That Is, heard nothing, butt did
think | felt something brush my dress
ON the side next TO Briffeur. ! am
not sure, however. ! only thought
something did. The next moment i
heard him slip to the floor and knew
something was wrong"
Bartleys eyes frightened at her re-
mark. and he asked eagerly, "Can you
show us just where your dress was
hrushed3"
She hestated as If trying to collect
her thoughts, and glanced down at
her dark brown dress. Then she
placed her hand nu spot a little
above her waistllne. BARLEY came to
her side and looked closely at the
place she indicated. ahen suddenly
knelt, his eyes close to the cloth.
Strengthening up. he pointed out to
us a small spIotch, a little darker
than the goods of which the dress was
made. With significant glance he
said one word, Blood"
At the word, look of horror came
into Miss Potter's face and she shrank
away.
"Was that stain on your dress when
you put IL on?" he asked as he rose
to his feet.
"No! The dress was worn this
afternoon for the first time since Ii |
was returned from the cleaners"
He said nothing more but went |
back to the desk. l presume that we |
were all wondering what the blood |
stain Indicated. The wild thought |
rushed over me that she might, after
all. have killed Briffeur; but l dis
missed II at once as impossible.
Nov. Roche" asked BARLEY, "did
you hear anything?"
Roche, of course, understood the
importance Of his answer; and his red
face became cautious and his hands
clenched. Then, very slowly, as II
counting his words, he answered. ~
don't know. Mr.. BARLEY, that l heard
anythIng-that Is, anything except
the little sound the people behind me
made when the lights went out If
you mean. did l hear any one creep
up on that poor fellow, l did not. If
anyone came near him, l should have
at least heard something; but / did
not hear anything like that"
"What did you hearY asked Bart
ey, shrewd smile on his face.
The chief actually blushed. In an
lpologetic tone he said, "Now-Mr.
BARLEY. don't know if l heard any
hing. But ! thought"
what did you think?"
Roche shrugged his shoulders, hest
ated, then answered, "Why. thought
hat, second or so before he gave ,
hat cry. ! heard" He paused like a
nan who is afraid that what he is I
'oing to say will sound absurd. IL
on't know just what to call 1t. It was S
cry slight. more like little thud. l
ould scarcely hear it. 1t sounded as d
small object had struck some
hing" Il
The keen face of BARLEY was eager,
nd he leaned forward. his eyes on n
'oche's face. "And that was just be-
ore he cried out7" he asked. W
"Yes, only second before. 1t was II
lst after l thought l heard some o
hing else II
BARLEY demanded. "What" =. Y
The chief hesit8ted again, pausing t.
8 II to think out carefully what he
ished to say. Il
"Why-Mr. BARLEY. when that last d.
ap Of thunder came, thought the W
,use had been struck. and was so up In
t that don't know If really heard
lything at all. What l thought 1 W
,ard sounded like bough moving In HI
re wind, or the whir of a violin In
ring" hi
His description was so vague that
e locked at each other. puzzled. Bart,{ dc
y tired to make the chief more def XII
te. put to all his questions he re-
II ed the same reply. Roche was not tie
re II he lad heard anything, but If M
had, II had sounded like a bough in
0 wind. What 1t was. or wnat Lad sc