Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-07-07
CHAPTER X-Continued.

hg3##E& ANA MIN ~ seq nv AsAAN AAA
tarrupted. q never heard . thing; not
thing"
Barley studied her carefully as he
asked Are you sure?'
Her face paled, then the color re
tprped. but again she replied, 81 heard
nothing until that horrible cry rang
out.
saw her shudder as if the mem
ory Of it were almost TOO much for
her. but she continued bravely, 81
knew it was beside me. and l Won
dered what had happened. 1t fright
eped me-so much-that l can't tell
lust what happened after that
She seemed to be telling the truth;
yet could not understand how any
one had gotten near enough to Briffeur
to RID him without the person next to
hin 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 it came, can
you think Of no little occurrence that
might help US? Nothing at all?"
Size was silent for a long time, then
slowly, as if apologize, she answered,
THAT is, l heard nothing, butt did
think l felt something brush my dress
-on the side next to Briffeur. l am
not sure, however. l only thought
something did. The next moment
heard him slip to the floor and knew
something was wrong"
Bartey's eyes frightened at her re-
mark, and he asked eagerly, Can you
show us just where your dress was
brushed?'
She hesitated as if trying to collect
her thoughts, and glanced down at
her dark brown dress. Then she
placed her hand on a spot a little
above her waistline BARLEY came to
her side and looked closely at the
pace she indicated, Ahen suddenly
kaet, his eyes close to the cloth.
Strengthening up, he pointed out to
US small splotch. a little darker
than The goods Of which the dress was
made. With a significant glance he
said one word, Blood y
Al tie word, a look of horror came
Into Miss Potter's face and she shrank
away
was that stain on your dress when
you pat it on?' he asked as he rose
TO his feet.
"No The dress was worn this
afternoon for the first time since 1t
was returned from the cleaners"
He said nothing more, but went
back to the desk. / presume that we
were al wondering what the blood
stain indicated The wild thought
rushed over me that she might, after
all, have killed Brifreur; but I dis
missed It at once as impossible.
Now. Roche asked BARLEY, did
you hear angthing?7
Roche, Of course. understood the
Importance Of his answer; and his red
lace became cautious and his hands
eeaebed. Then, very slowly, as Il
counting his words, he answered, ~
Don know, Mr. BARLEY, that heard
ahELh-ng-that is, anything except
"e little sound the people behind me
4aae when the lights went out. If
you mean. did l hear any one creep
ep On that poor fellow, l did not. If
sayone came near him, I should have
a east heard something; but | did
Hol near anything like that"
hhat did You hear?" asked Bart
icy sarewd smile on his face.
lae chief actually blushed. In an
Speiosetie tone he said, "Now-Alr
na5aeE l don't know if heard any
'1Hs But | thought"
what did you think?"
i'.eae shrugged his shoulders. hest
- then answered. "NVhy, 1 thought
maj a second or so before he gave
~.'t cry I heard" He paused ike a
@s1 Who is afraid that what he is
s 5q say will sound absurd. a
ai'aw just what to cali it. 1t was
s. saSl'5, more like little thud I
scarcely hear it. 1t sounded ais
,0- s0oa object had struck some
seen face Of Barley vas eager
eaned forward. his eyes on
face And that was Just be-
cried outf" he asked.
aHiE second before. 1t was
81 I thought l heard some.
demanded, Wharf"
AesitaJed again, pausinc
aak out carefully what he
say.
SIR BARLEY. when that last
.4Hder came, 1 thought the
been struck, and was So up~
aaat know If ! really heard
ala What I thought i
l4d like bough moving In
the wh,r Of violin
rpaon WIS so vague thar
q eaeh other, puzzled. Bart
A. e make the chief more def
20 an his questions he re-
X. same reply. Roche was not
had heard anything. but If
L. had sounded Ike a bough n
WHAT IL was. OF whag haa