, 1924-06-18

Carr" she exclaimed, in tones ns
wondering as those of the man.
The two faced each other. Both
seemed at a loss for words. The man
especially, seemed abashed.
Nellie was the first to recover her.
self. Il didn't know that you lived
out here" she said.
The mar seemed to recover him
self. lie smiled ruefully. "Discov-
ered!' he said. 1--WE made an awful
mess of things. I'm afraid. I-oh
Well! I've got to confess now" He
turned TO the other woman Edith !"
he began. Let me-"
a sudden sharp outcry behind the
closed door cut across Carr's words,
and he broke off. simultaneously
Edith threw open the door aud
FASTENED through II. AS Nellie started
to follow, the man stopped her.
You'll come with your father 70 the
ship tomorrow. won't you?" he begged.
Il ant explain now. There's no
time. I've been n fool. but 1t was be-
cause-Good Lord! can't tell you
now. Promise me youll comet"
al Ituutu. leg III come,
she said slowly. in a tired, hard voice.
Inside the parlor the doctor was
standing over the couch. strengthening
the injured mans arms. AS the 9th
ers entered he looked up Its all
over" he said. 1.-The man is dead.
However, he told his story first. II
sounds vague, but suppose Mr.. Arch
man will understand Mr.. Akin
Where is Mr.. Akin?" lie looked about
him inquiringly.
Edith looked surprised. az dom
know she said. "He didn't come
into the front hall. He must have
gone into the dining-room." She
turned. This is Miss Archman, doc
tor" she said. She did not INTRODUCES
Carr. and Nellie, as she bowed grave
ly, noted that he had not entered the
room.
The doctors face cleared. I'm GLAD
you have ONE Miss Archman,' he
said. "Your fathers secretary was
here a moment ago. but he has disap-
peared mysteriously. I suppose he'll
turn up soon. | wish the police would
come. Here they are now!" 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. "Morbach !" he exclaimed.
where Is hep Then as no one spoke
he went on impatiently. You tele-
phoned me-" he rasped. ~ am Mr..
Archman."
Yes, l 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 1t 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? I thought I 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! MOI" The doctor shook his
head consolingly. NO: your secretary
got here in time. Mr.. Morbach gave
him papers and a message. It's all
right. Your secretary has everything"
MY secretary? What fool talk Is
this? This is my secretary"-he in
dictated the younger mani got your
message after he started, and l caught
up with him AT your gate"
The doctors eyes widened. ~ don't
understand" he muttered. "Mr. Akin
was here a moment ago. This gentle
man can't be he"
1T is he. Don't you suppose I know
my own secretary? If any one else
is here. he's an impostor. If any one
Where is he? Let me see hlm""
Hes gonel" The doctors voice was
hoarse.
"Gonel Gonel 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 whirled on
his daughter. what does this mean.
Nelllef" he cried.
The girl shook her head. 81 didn't
see him, father" she said. "He was
xftth NJ Afnrknrh Union 7 ~ "a ,,n md - -