Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-08-23

leys was dead IN my breast. 1t was
the voice of the man | had longed
for, whose keen brain and able hands
would so quickly bring light where
there vas shadow.
, He pulled the curtain aside, the
gray eyes flashed at me. / saw
through the disguise at last, and mar
yelled at my blindness heretofore. OF
course it was no one but my old and
trusted friend, that world-famous de-
tective and fisherman, Alexander
Pierce.
After we a got through pounding
one another on the back and roaring
out what a pleasure it was to meet
again | began to put a few questions
to the great detective. And all the
time | marveled at his disguise.
but why didn't you let me in on
IL" | demanded, just a little hurt.
| saw laughter in his eyes, but his
face remained grave.
"You were doing so we'll without
me, doc" he replied. "And the way
you chased me through the mud-it
was rich, my lad! What a persistent
devil you are! Miss Southley-if ev-
ar this young man gets on your trail,
you'll never be able to shake him."
"Mis Southley already knows that"
commented. "And look at my trou-
er legs-my best dinner clothes,
You are a trifle wet yourself"
These beautiful boots protected
me-" Then he grew serious. BE
iides, Long-among your many tai
nts I'm afraid you can't claim to be
an actor. just a look-a word
might have given me away. 1t was
much better that you devote your at
s%ention to the excellent work Inspec-
or Freeman has been doing. And
IS to reason why | came in dis
guise-I don't believe the time is
quite ripe to divulge it. | assure
you that it served my end very WELL"
But it seems you trusted every
one else" | glanced toward South
ley and his daughter.
Naturally Mr.. Southley knew it.
| came at his invitation-and your
own, of course, too, Long. Miss
Southley learned the truth just this
evening, and | consider it a distinct
reflection on the ability of her faith
er and myself to judge character
that we waited so long in making
her an ally. But l will say-it's more
her fathers fault than mine"
"You must remember that my ac-
luaintance with my daughter was
somewhat slight" Southley explain
ed. "She has been away to school
so much-only here a few weeks. Be-
sides-she did know a few things,
IN sorry | didn't tell her more"
Father and daughter exchanged
smiles. Josephine herself seemed
changed. 1t was curious that | had
not noticed it the moment | stepped
INTO the room. There was a new
ght in her eyes, a rising of the del
.cious color that played ever in her
! had marveled at that night in the
cheeks. Again | saw the smile that
d~rawing-room long ago. Evidently
there had been developments in the
mystery of which | was not aware.
Remember, we will need your
son too" Alexander told my host.
Alexander and | walked together
into the drawing, and we had a
minutes talk at the foot of the
stairs.
Pm going to my room now he
explained. dts a maids room or
The third floor, but it fits my pur-
pose perfectly. / have a few chemi-
cal experiments to make.
"Of course it was you who destroy
I'd the evidence on the white stone
mot destroyed it. Merely gather
blood tests. And it panied me tc
cause you and the inspector so much
disappointment"
Il imagined it would"
Then we had a little laugh toge-
her. 1t was all too plain that a
deep professional jealosy existed be-
,ween such free-lance detectives like
Inspector Freeman.
"But why in the world did you
tear that piece from Ahmad's shirt?'
| asked.
Alexander laughed again-aboyish
Joyous sound that died quickly in the
iilence of the room.
"Im afraid that is evidence of my
~Juixotic nature" he said. "But
had to have a sample of the blood
Freeman's heart if | took the whole
shirt. So / just tore out the piece"
He sobered and became very bust
nesslike. That was one of the mar
yels of the man. One minute he was
he best of a comrade-boyish, laugh
ing, irresponsible. The next, he was
he cool headed, t~ireless sleuth with
very nerve and muscle alert.
There's work for tomorrow" he
went on swiftly. you'll have youl
part to do. So will Southley have
his part, and his two children. To
morrow I'm going to take the boat
on a little expedition-over to the
plateau. You are to meet me on the
path at my return just after night
fall. You can have the Inspector with
you if you like. Southley and his
daughter will be close about, and
they will know their parts. The
hour to strike is almost here"
"And Villas? What about him ?
And Ahmad?"
"Ahmad is the suspected murder
err. I'm afraid Villas won't do"
"But Josephine Southley would
think otherwise" | told him with
some bitterness. You must know
that they are allies. You couldn't
have missed that point"
"What do you mean?"
"She's going to marry him-that's
what mean. And she's bitterly