The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-24

brows. There was a passionate curve
to her lips which l had never before
noticed Her hair was brown and lus
trous.
You had better tell me everything,
Janet" l enjoined.
soon after you had gone out she
said, the man who lies in the tool
house came here and asked me ques-
tons about you. He made his way
into your bedroom. He was anxious.
to see the clothes in which you had
Travelled down. He opened the bottom
drawer Of your wardrobe and found
them"
There was a revolver in the top
drawer" I remarked.
81 had discovered that and hidden
it," she replied.
And after he had found my
clothes?"
"If5 went down to the shrubbery to
wait for you"
did lie say what he wanted?'
"IIe had told me that he was an
officer of the police"
And them"
Il went down the other path. and
I made my way across the sponsy
turf to where he was standing When
I was so near that there was no
chance Of missing him. 1 shot him.
1 am a man to whom courage is
second nature, and have seen death
trifed with. and trifed with it my
self like the juggler with his ball, but
have never heard it spoken OF with
more Indifference. Outside, the fig
ures Of the detective and his compan-
ion were still visible in the little wood.
The body Of the dead man was only
few yards away. I leaned forward
and I looked ut the girl, striving 10
get past the almost cynical impene-
trability of her speech.
why did you do this, Janet?" l
asked.
He did what no man in the world
has ever dared to do before. sir" she
replied. He kissed me-upon the
lips, 1 wonder that I did not kill him
where he stood
Had you no other reason than that,
JANET" 1 persisted.
Il wished to save YOU sir" she an
swered.
ITO save me from what
From the law"
You think that I was i'm danger"
Il know that you were"
who or what do you think I ann"
a great criminal" she answered.
I was staggered for it was plain
to me now that 1 must have been
at this girls mercy many a time. She
went on slowly.
I have always believed" she con
tinued that you We're leading a
double life The few visitors you
have had have come at night. and
secretly. Whenever you have arrived
here, and Mr. Stanfeld has recon-
mended to play golf, there has been a
/ tragedy or a great robbery reported
in the newspapers on the following
morning. I always felt that some day
or other this would happen. Now
that it has come. I am glad
You realize that you killed a man
in cold blood?" l persisted. determined
to try her to the limit.
Il am glad that I have, she re-,
Piled
For domestic servant" said.
you have a wonderful sense Of your
obligations"
You need not scott at me" she
complained. Il am a woman, a dan
geroUs woman, but a clever one.
was not brought up to be a servant
I am mt TO be your companion. That
is my hope"
I have never trusted a woman in
my life, l told her.
You viii trust me-" she declared
in low tone. You VIII remember
what I have done for you today. I
am the woman who was made to
complete your life. You had better
realize it and make use of me. You
will not regret it,"
She came little closer 70 me, and
though women have never been more
than the toys Of my idle moments.
| 1 felt the passion Of her strike into
my heart. My senses were aflamc.
| saw life differently. Her voice be
came softer and more sibilant. Her
eyes were appealing. but inhuman.
You shall marry me she CON
tinued. u have a fancy about that,
and I insist. Then think Of the bene-
fit If disaster should come, I shall
never be able to give evidence against
| YOU But there will be no disaster
7 know how clever you are. l, too,
have brains. Say that this means
something to you. have given proof
Of my devotion. Repay me"
I took her into my arms. There
was a strange fire IN her kiss which
warmed my blood. d fierce delight in
/ her strange -coIOred eyes which amazed
| while it enthralled me. This modern
! Borgia seemed to have fastened her.
self onto my life. The figures of the
men in the little wood grew moro
| shadowy.
Where is the pistol?"T whispered
holding her away from me for d mo-
ment.
Where no one will ever find it, she
| answered.
And the clothes?"
Burned. I run no risks when your
| safety is in question"
The searchers came back to the
/ house half an hour or so later. I
/ was busy rebinding the handle of
my putter. Janet was in the kitchen
/ preparing my dinner Greyes ac-
cepted a whisky and soda. He looked
/ tired and little detected.
| ANY luck?"I asked him. under my
breath. as he prepared to take his
| leave.
| He shook his head
so far as CiTcumstantial evidence is
/ concerned" he admitted. L am afraid