The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-06-26

know she said. "He didn't come
into the front hall. He must have
gone into the dinlng-room." She
turned. This is Miss Archman. doc.
tor' she said. She did not Introduce
Carr' and Nellie. as she bowed grave
iy' noted that he had not entered the
room.
The doctors face cleared. "rm glad
you have come, Miss Archman," he
SAID. Your fathers secretary was
mere moment ago, but he has disap-
peared mysterlously 1 suppose he'll
turn up soon. wish the police would
come. Here they are nowl" Another
ring had sounded at the door.
1t was not the police, however. The
open door disclosed two men, one old
and the other young.
The elder mans face was drawn and
pale. 'Morbachl" he exclaimed.
Where is her" Then as no one spoke
he went on impatiently. "You tele-
phoned me-" he rasped. "I am Mr..
Archman."
Yes, I know you, Mr.. Archman."
Edith stepped forward. I'm sorry,
but Mr. Morbach is dead. He died ten
minutes ago. This Is he!"
Archman stepped to the side of the
couch and stared at the dead mans
face. 1--WE known him forty years."
he said. "And now he's dead and I'm
left. How did it happen?" He looked
up questioningly and saw his daugh-
ter. Nellie" he exclaimed. "You
here? l thought recognized the auto.
How did this happen?'
Nellie glanced at the doctor, who
made haste to answer. auto acct
dent" he said tersely. But that
didn't kill him. He was murdered
shot through the body"
Murdered Archman's lips tight
ened. Good Cd! 1t must have
been" He clutched at the doctors
arm. Did he leave any message
any word? They didn't get his pa
pers, did they?"
mo! Nor The doctor shook his
head consolingly. mo; your secretary
got here in time. Mr.. Morbach gave
him papers and message. It's all
right. Your secretary has everything
MY secretary? What fool talk is
this? This is my secretary"-he in
dicated the younger mani got your
message after he started, and I caught
up with him at your gate"
The doctors eyes widened. II don't
understand" he muttered. "Mr. Akin
was here a moment ago. This gentle
man can't be he"
at is he. Don't you suppose know
my own secretary? If any one else
is here, he's an impostor. II any one
Where Is he? Let me see him
Hes gone!" The Doctors voice was
hoarse.
"Gone! Gone But he didn't get
Morbach's papers,"
The doctor nodded. Yes! He got
them. He said he was Mr.. Akin. None
of us knew"
Nellie knew" Archman whir1ed on
his daughter what does this mean,
Nellie?" he cried.
The girl shook her head. Il didn't
see him. father" she said. He was
with Mr.. Morbach when l came and
The doctor interposed. "None of us
knew him and none of us doubted him.
Morbach gave him the papers. Were
were they very important"
"Important! Important" Arch
mans face grew so red that 1t was al
most black. "What did he say, man?
What did he say? Didn't you hear?'
The doctor nodded Yes we heard,
he answered He asked us to listen
| He said that some one whom you
would know was dying and wanted TO
see her He had cabled and then had
come himself, apparently fearing that
tbe message might have been inter
cepted-"
at was. never got II"
"He said that they met him and
followed him and attacked him. They
wanted the papers that he was sup
posed to carry. But he did not carry
them. His employer - would give
them only into her hands. You must
bring her to get them. She would ne
rfcb-exceedingly rich-and able TO
fpht for her rights. You must pring
her at once. either by the way you
know or by the way explained In me
nacket once more he repeated his
nlea for haste-and died" The doc
for turned to Miss Grant. docs your
recollection agree with mine' MISS
Grant?" he asked
Edith nodded. Yes she salu' eA
actly." ..rd
Arcbman's jaws hardened. Ana
they got the papers" he muttered.
"How could they? How could they
have known that Akin was expected
Arcbman's eyes swept suspiciousiy over
all in the room, ,.o
"I don't know" The doctors voice
bad taken on tinge of indignation,
"Perhnps they overheard MISS Grant
talking to your secretary on the tele,
nbone. The line is party one anu
has half dozen other telephones son on
n What she said might nave peei'
overheard at any one of them"