Belt Valley times., 1924-06-05

seemed at loss for w0rdE The man
especially. seemed abashed.
Nellie was the FIRST 20 recover her
self II didn't know that you lived
out here" she said.
The man seemed TO recover him
self He smiled ruefully. -Discov-
eredl" he said. 1--WE made an awful
mess Of things. I'm afraid Lob
Well I've got to confess now" BE
turned TO the other woman. Edith r
he began. Let me-"
sudden sharp oufcry behind the
closed door cut across Carr's words.
and he broke on. simultaneously
Edith threw open the door aud
FASTENED through IT, As Nellie started
TO follow. the man stopped her.
You'll come with your father 10 the
ship tomorrow, won't your he begged.
Il can't explain nov. There's no
time. Fve been a fool. but II was be-
cause-Good Lord can't tell you
now. Promise me you1i come ("
Nellie nodded Yes I'll 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. ~Ir's all
over" he said 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.. Akln?" BE looked about
him lnquiringly.
Edith looked surprised Il donT
know" she said HE didn't CONS
into the front hall. He must havs
gone into the dinlng-room." She
turned. This is Miss Archman. doe
tor" she said. She did not introducu
Carr. and Nellie. as she bowed grave
~. noted that he had not entered the |
room.
The Doctors face cleared. I'm glao
you have come. Miss Archman," he
said. "Your fathers secretary was
here a moment ago, but he has oisap-
peared mysterfousIy. suppose hen
turn up soon. wish the police would
come. Here they are now !" Another
ring had sounded at the door.
1t was not the police. Bsweyer. 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. II am Mr..
Archman.''
Yes. I know you. Mr. Archman.~
Edith stepped forward I'm sorry,
Dut Mr. Morbach is dead He died ten
minutes ago. This Is he"
Archman stepped to the side OF the
,ouch and stared at the dead mans
ace. "Tve known him forty years"
le said. "And now he's dead and I'm
eft. How did It happen? He looked
lp questloningly and saw his daugh- (
.er ''Nelliei" he exclaimed. lyon
lere7 / thought recognized the auto.
How did this happenf" (
Nellie glanced at the doctor, who {
made haste to answer. auto acci-
Ient." he said tersely. @But that ]
Ildn't kill him. He was murdered Z
hot through the body {
"AIurdered!~ Archman's lips tight q
ned. Good Cd II must have l
He clutched at the doctors
rm. did he leave any message
ny word? They didn't get hia pa
ers. did theyT c
mo! MOI" The doctor shook his +
cad cons0tfngiy. No; your secretary =
OF here In time. Bfr. Morbach gave 2
I'm papers and a message. It's all o
ght. Your secretary has everything" n
"My secretaryf What fool talk Is n
lls7 This is my secretary"-he In e
lcated the younger mani got your II
iessage after he started, and caught
p with him at your gate"
The Doctors eyes widened. Il don't
nderstand." he muttered. "Sfr. Akin n
as here a moment ago This gentle n
nn can't be he" +,
"It is he. Don't you suppose I know
' own secretaryf II any one else q
here. he's an impOstor. II any one r,
here Is hei Let me see him :" N
He's gonei" The Doctors voice was
,arse.
0VuG OOnCt DAe nG OAAl ACt
orbach's papers," n,
The doctor nodded. "Yesi He got T.
EN-. Ee said he was Mr.. Akin. None :,
US knew" :,
''Nellie knew" Archman whlrled on :.
= daughter. "what does this mean. =,
elIief" he cried. Il,
The girl shook her head Il didn't -
q him, father she said -He was =,
IN Mr.. Morbach when came and"
The doctor interposed. "NOne Of as
ew him and none Of as doubted him
1rhach gave him the paperM We're n
ire they very importantr =,
''Imp0rtant Important = Arch ~
ms face grew SO red that tt was al +.
,st black. "what did he sag. manl - u
hat did he sayf Didn't you heari"
The doctor nodded. YES We heard" 81
answered. ''He asked US to listen. =,
. said that some one whom you -,
,uld know was dying and wanted 10 -