Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1924-05-23
CHAPTER III.
The House in Baltimore.

nc r1ouSC III bdItlfnOTcs
Life was extinct, and the doctor
who was hastily summoned could only
confirm what all perceived. He gave
1t as his opinion that heart disease
was the cause of death, and stated
that there would be no need of an
inquest.
"Was he excited just before his seiz-
ure?" he inquired of Donald.
"Yes," answered the lieutenant. "He
was worked up about a theory of his
own"
The doctor nodded. "a very happy
DEATH" he said. "He didn't suffer.
suppose you know where his relatives
are to be found?"
Donald was entirely ignorant. The
little group that had gathered about
the body, their own theories tempo
rarily laid aside, were equally in igno-
rance. Nobody was much interested
in anyone else at the Inventors club.
Then Professor MacBeard stepped
forward.
81 had some acquaintance with Cap
tain Masterman," he said. 'In fact,
we were strong friends, although our
views were divergent upon certain
subjects. I shall be happy to see to
the interment and to take charge of
any papers that my old colleague may
have left, pending the appointment OF
an official trustee"
Lieutenant Paget was convinced
that MacBeard was lying. Why, it
was hardly ten minutes since Master
man had denounced him in his char
acteristically unmeasured terms And
at that moment, apparently by coinci-
dence, but doubtless on account of a
slight jar to the couch on which the
body had been laid, bulky envelope
fell out of the dead mans pocket.
MacBeard stopped hastily and was
about to transfer 1t to his own when
Donald interviewed.
Excuse me, but is that not adj
dressed to me?" he asked. my name
is Paget-Lieutenan Paget."
He was sure that he had seen his
name upon the envelope, and 1t oc-
Cured to him that this must be the
document about which Masterman had
spoken. Donald felt greatly touched
to think that Captain Masterman had
had him in his crazy mind, even be-
fore their accidental meeting, out of
all his acquaintances.
MacBeard had placed his hand over
A. 20 hn H.
dress; but, seeing that it was impos-
sible to deny Donald's assertion, he re-
piled:
81 suppose that you are the man
you claim to be, and can prove it2 A
good many persons are anxious to
profit by Captain Masterman's discov-
cries."
The insolent challenge, and the
sneering tone awakened Donalds an
ger. He grasped the professor by the
wrist which held the letter.
81 am not accustomed to having my
identity questioned" he answered.
you'll hand over that envelope, and
afterward will submit my proofs to
whoever is qualified to receive them
and you can do the same"
MacBeard's hand opened and Don
aid took out the envelope.
"Why, my dear sir" said the pro-
fessor with an embarrassed laugh, Il
really had no intention of Withholding
anything that is legitimately yours, l
assure you, nor of questioning your
good faith. 1 was a little startled I
at the moment. Perhaps, as mutual
friends of the late Captain Master
man, we may take care of his inter-
ests jointly"
AS Donald made no reply of any
nature, MacBeard turned to the ply
stefan, and had soon completed the
for the removal of the |
body. Then he went to the clerks
desk.
He held the envelope in his hand |
still, and he was about to place it in |
his pocket when his glance fell upon |
a sentence of the manuscript within. |
Donald drew 1t forth and read:
In the event of your hearing Of my sud
den death you must not delay moment,
but 20 to my house at 166 ......... street
Baltimore. Above all, beware of Mac
Beard. He is an enemy of the human
race. So much 1 have learned, but
Donald thrust the loose sheet into
his trousers pocket and replaced the
envelope, containing the rest of the
in the inner pocket of his
coat Just as MacBeard returned.
He would go to the house in Balti-
more, and see what there was to be
lone. Ee knew Masterman had lived
here alone for years, in the intervals
his voyages.
MacBeard came up to Donald with
! smile of affected friendllness,