Evening star., 1924-01-10
CHAPTER XII.
William Dunn Makes His Choice.

Adrian Middleton was still convers-
ing with the doctor and Mrs. Cayley,
and Miss Sherwood and Newbury sat
little apart when Geoff re-entered
the patio and strode hastily over to
the latter group.
Excuse me, ma'am, do you know
the telephone number o. William
Dunn's apartment" He addressed
the older of the two women. his voice
tense and vibrant with an ill-con-
cealed excitement.
Il have 1t. or rather, his janitors.
He has none of his own" Newbury
pulled a notebook from his pocket
before Mis-. Cayley could reply. cit
is 40S9 Fordsworth."
Without stopping to ask permis-
sion, Geon turned and dashed for the
library, and in a. moment they heard
him calling the number in a very
fever of impatience. DR.. Hood took
step or two in his direction, then
paused, and, after minute of in
decision, wheeled and Joined the
others, who were openly listening.
The interval seemed very long, but
at length they heard him demand in
a high, strained tone:
Hello, there! Git me Mr.. Dunn,
quick! If he don't answer, bang on
his door, and II that don't bring him,
break 1t in! got reason to think
me bbe he's sick up there alone" >
MY GodF' Newbury muttered be-
meath his breath. Mrs. Cayley shud-
dered and covered her eyes, but those
of the doctor lighted with a sudden
CLEAN. Adrian Middleton drew closer
to Miss Sherwood's chair.
If the wait had seemed long be-
fore it was almost interminable now,
cd
Gosh Almighty" Geofrs voice
broke with an odd, choking sound.
so he done it! This is a friend O.
his talkin'. I just got a letter from
here when / ring off you call up
police headquarters direct and tell
EN- to send right up and take charge
o things, :. Yes. tell 'em there's
note for the chief of the detective
bureau in the right-hand drawer of
the cabinet next the mantel. 9.
Don't you disturb nothin' till they
EN- quick's you can. Goodbye
They heard the click of the re-
the doorway.
."1 reckon you s1l got an idee o.
what's happened now" he remark ed,
as they sat spellbound, staring at
~,,I 1T isn't-l" isnttt- Mrs. cayley gasped.
HAS Dunn killed himselfr' de-
manded the doctor brusquely.
Geoff nodded.
'The last time I saw him, he told
me he was going on a little journey,
just for a rest-reckon I'd ought to
| a-got what he meant from the way
he said 1t. but I didn't" he replied
slowly. Doc. 'tain't my business, but
seems your case is spoiled now, any
ways, hadn't you better git either
Lyons or Allen on the job up there
SOS they kin bring a full report down
to you without losin' no time?
the police, and you'll need a copy o.
it to put afore tho district attorney
with my letter, to show him young
Rupert Ashe amt necessary no more
as a. material witness"
"I don't see" DR.. Hood began
In bewildered fashion. " don't see
as the case is spoiled-?'
Il meant for CONVICTION" Geofr's
bring William Dunn to trial, now
he's dead"'
The doctor uttered a half-smother-
ed exclamation as comprehension
dawhed, but 1t was lost in a shrill
cry from nMnn Mrs. Gayieg; Gay n;,rdsr.r ., INV
brother7'
"That's how the doc figured it out
from the minute he set foot in this
house after you sent for him, ma'a.n.
Go on. Doc, and phone. 1 won't tell
no more O. your case than the papers
will have tomorrer mornin: He
waited until the doctor had hurried
away to do his bidding, and then add
ed carefully: "He may have seemed
shocked and real grieved to you be-
cause you was expectin' him to be
that way, but to a stranger VINO
didn't expect nothin' and saw him
for the first time, it was plain as day
that he wasn't surprised none. nor
sorry; he was glad it was over and
done, but tryin' hard not to show IL.
Anybuddy could a-seen, too. that he
was >. keepin' somethin' back when