Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 341, 9 January 1907 — Page 7

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uiti liiCninc.iu raiiauium, ueunesaay, January a, isuf,

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The Mystery of Agatha Webb,

:H' t I ' 15 ( ty

By Anna Katharine Green. Aat&or or Tlia Leavenworth Case," "Lost LXaa'a Lane," "Hand m Copyright, 1900, by Anna Katharine Green.

CHAPTER I. "MCRDEKl" THE dance was over. From the great house ou tbe bill the gtiets bad all departed, and only the musicians remained. As they filed out through tbe ample doorway, with tbeir Instruments under their arms, the first faint streak of early dawn became visible In the east. One of them, a lank, plain featured youa.? man of ungainly aspect, but penetrating eye, called tbe attention of tbe others to it. "Look!" said be. "There is tbe daylight! This has been a gay night for Sutherland town." "Too cray." muttered another, startIns aside as the slight figure of a young titan coming from the house behind them rushed hastily by. "Why, who's that?" As they one and all had recognized the person thus alluded to, no one anewcred till he had dashed out of tbe jrate and disappeared in tbe woods on tbe other side of the road. Then they all spoke at once. "It's Mr. Frederick!" "lie seems in a desperate hurry." "He trod on my toes." "Did you hear the words he was muttering as he went by?" As only the last question was calculated to rouse an Interest, It alone received attention. "No; what were they? I beard him ray something, but I did not catch tbe words." "He wasn't talking to you or me, either, but I have ears thst can hear an eye wink. lie said, 'Thank God. this terrible night Is over! Think of that! After such a dance and such a spread, lie calls this night terrible and thanks Cod that It Is over. I thought be was cue to enjoy this kind of thing more than most folks." "So did I." "And so did I." The five musicians exchanged looks, then huddled in a group at the gate. "He has quarreled with his sweetheart," suggested one. "I'm not surprised at that," declared another. never thought It would be a match." "Shame If It were!" muttered the ungainly youth who had spoken first. As tbe subject of this comment was tbe son of the gentleman whose bouse they were just leaving they necessarily frpoke low. but their tones were rife with curiosity and it was evident that the topic deeply Interested them. One of the five who bad not previously spoken now put in a word. "I saw him when he first led out Miss I 'age to dance, and I saw bim ngalu when be stood up opposite her In the last quadrille, and I tell you. boys, there was a mighty deal of difference in the way be looked at her the last time from what be did tbe first. You wouldn't have thought bim the same man. Reckless young fellows like bim are not to be caught by dimples ouly. They want cash." "Or family, at least, and she hasn't either. But what a pretty girl she Is! Some fellow as rich as he and as well connected would be satisfied with her good looks nloue." "Good looks!" High scorn was observable In this exclamation, which was made by the young man who I have before characterized as ungainly. "I refuse to acknowledge that she has any .good looks. On the contrary, I consider her plain." a"Ou, oh!" burst In protest from more than one mouth. . "And why does she have every fellow in the room dangling after her. then?" asked the player ou the yellow flageolet. "But she hasn't a regular feature. "What difference does that make when It Isn't her features you notice, but herself." "I don't like her." A laugh followed this. "That won't trouble her, Sweetwater. Sutherland does, if you don't, and that's much more to the point. And lie'll marry her yet. He can't help It. Why. she'd witch the devil Into leading her to the altar if she took a notion to have bim for her bridegroom." "Tli to would be consistency In that." muttered tbe fellow just ad-!resM-d. "But. Mr. Frederick" "Hush! There's some one on the doorstep. Why. It's she!" They all glanced back. The graceful figure of a young girl dressed In white was to be seen leaning toward them from the open doorway. Behind her shone a blaze of light the candles not having been yet extinguished In the ball and against this brilliant background her slight form, with all its bewitching outlines, stood out. In plain relief. There was an anxious bend to It. however, which none of them had ever observed In It before. "Who was that?" she began In a b!gh. almost strident voice, totally out ef keeping with the sensuous curves of her strange, sweet face. But the question remained Incomplete, as well as unanswered, for at that moment her attention, as well as that of the men lingering at the gate, was attracted by the sound of hurrying feet and confused cries coming up the hill. "Murder, murder!" was the word panted out by more than one harsh voice, and In another instant a dozen men and boys came rushing into sight In a state of such excitement that the ve musicians recoiled from the gate, and one of them went so far as to start back toward the house. As he did so he noticed a curious thing. The young woman whom they had all perceived standing in the door a moment before had vanished, yet she was known to profess tbe keenest curiosity of any one In town. - "Murder, murder!" A terrible and unprecedented cry In this old, God fearing town. Then came In hoarse explanation from tbe Jostling group as they stopped at the gate: "Mrs. Webb has been killed! Stabbed, with a knife! Tell Mr. Sutherland!" "Mrs. Webb." aj tne uiusiCiAji .ae&ra tr.iA n&sie. ec

honored aad so universally beloved, they to a man uttered a cry, Mrs. Webb! Why, it was impossible. Shouting In their turn fof Mr. Sutherland, they all crowded forward. Not Mrs. Webb!" they protested. "Who could have the daring or the heart to kill her?" "God knows," answered a voice from the highway. "But she's dead we've just seen her!" "Then it's the old man's work," quavered a piping voice well known as that of the village shoemaker's. "I've always said be would turn on his best friend some day. 'Sy I urn's the best place for folks as has lost their wits. I" But here a band was put over, his mouth, and the rest of the words became an Inarticulate gurgle. Mr. Sutherland bad just appeared on,the porch, and these were not men to let their voices be beard In his presence. He was a superb looking man? with an expression of mingled kindness and dignity that invariably awakened both awe and admiration in the spectator.

No mnn iu the country I was going to say no wo wan was more beloved, nor was any held in higher esteem. Yet he could not control his only son, as every one within ten miles of the hill well knew. At this moment his face showed both pain and shock. "What name are you shouting out there?" he brokenly demanded. "Agatha Webb." "Is Agatha Webb hurt?" "Yes, sir; killed," repeated a half dozen voices at once. "We've Just come from the house. All the town is up. Some say her husband did It." "No. no!" was Mr. Sutherland's decisive, though half inaudible response. "Philemon Webb might end his own life, but not Agatha's. It was the money" Here be caught himself up, and, raising his voice, addressed the crowd of villagers more directly. "Wait." said he, "and I will go back with you. Where is Frederick?" be demanded of such members of his own household as stood about him. No oue knew. "I wish some one would find my son. I want bim to go into town with me." "He's over iu the woods there," volunteered a voice from without. "In the woods!" repeated the father in a surprised tone. "Yes. sir; we all saw him go. Shall we sing out to bim?" "No. no; I will manage very well without bim." And taking up bis hat Mr. Sutherland stepped out again upon the porch Suddenly be stopped. A band bad !

been laid on his arm and an insinuat- j Sutherlaiultown without the presence Ing voice was murmuring In his ear; j of Mr. Sutherland. "Do you mind If I go with you? I I Miss Page courtesied. looking so bewill not make any trouble." j witching In the fresh morning light It was tbe same young lady, we have i that the tough old constable scratched seen before. ' i his chin in grudging admiration. But

The old irentleman frowned, he who i never frowned, and remarked shortly: "A scene of murder is no place for women." The face upturned to his remained unmoved. "I think I will go." she quickly persisted. "I can easily mingle with the crowd." He said not another word against It. Miss Page was under pay in his bouse. Suddenly he stopped. A hand had been laid on its arm. but for the last few weeks no one had undertaken to contradict her. Iu tbe interval sinee her first appearance on the porch she had exchanged the light dress in which she bad danced at the ball for a darker and much more serviceable one. and perhaps this token of her determination may nave nau Us Influence In silencing him. He joined the crowd, and together they moved down hill. This was too much for the servants of the bouse. One by one they, too, left the house till it stood absolutely empty. Jerry snuffed out the candles and shut the front door, but .the side entrauce stood wide open, and into this entrance, as the last footstep died out on the hillside, passed a slight and resolute figure. It was that of the musician who had questioned Miss Page's attractions. CHAPTER II. A BLOODY SLEEVE. Sutherlandtown was a seaport. The village, which was a small one, consisted of one" long street running parallel with the coast and numerous cross streets running down from the hillside and ending on the wharfs. On one of the corners thus made stood the Webb house, with Its front door on the main street and its side door ou oue of the hillside lanes. As the group of men and boys who had been la search of Mr. Sutherland entered this last mentioned lane they could pick out this house from all the others, as it was the only one in which a light was still burning. Mr. Sutherland lost no time in entering upon the scene of the tragedy. As his imposing figure emerged from the darkness, and caused

- TO ! $) . ' 4 I. 4. and Kin, Etc, Ets. ! 5 y on tne ouxsKirts or tne crowa DidcKiny up every entrance to the house, a murmur of welcome went up, after which a way was made for him to the front door. But before be could enter some one plucked bim by the fcleeve. "Look up!" whispered a voice into his ear. lie did so and saw a woman's body hanging half out of an upper window. It hung limp, and the sight made him sick notwithstanding his threescore years of experience. "Who's that?" he cried. "That's not Agatha Webb's bead and shoulders." "No, it's Batsy. the cook. She's dead too. We left her where we found her for the coroner to see." "But this is horrible!" murmured Mr. Sutherland. "Has there been a butcher here?" As he uttered these words he felt another quick pressure on his arm. Looking down, he saw leaning against bim the form of a young woman, but before he could address her she had started upright again and was moving on with the throng. It was Miss Page. "It was the night of this woman hanging from the window which first drew attention to the house." volunteered a man vho was standing as a sort of guardian at the main gateway. "Some of tbe sailors' wives who had, been to the wharfs to see their husbands off on the ship that sailed at daybreak saw It as they came up the lane on their way home and gave the alarm. Without that we might not yet have known what had happened." "But Mrs. Webb?" "Come in and see." There was a board fence about the simple yard within which stood tbe humble house forever after to be pointed out as the -scene of Sutherlandtown's most heartrending tragedy. In this fence was a gate, and through this gate now passed Mr. Sutherland and his would be companion. Miss Page. A path bordered by lilac bushes led the way to the house, the door of which, stood wide open. As soon as Mr. Sutherland entered upon this path a man appeared from tbe house and came directly toward him. It was Amos Fenton. the constable. "Ah. Mr. Sutherland." said he. "sad business, a very sad business! But what little girl have you there?" "This Is Miss Page, my housekeeper's niece. She would come. Inquisitiveness. the cause. 1 do not approve of It." "Miss Page must remain on the doorstep. We allow no one inside exceptIng yourself." he said respectfully, in recognition of the fact that nothing of importauce was ever undertaken in he did not reconsider his determination. Seeing this, she accepted her defeat gracefully and moved aside to where the bushes offered her more or less protection from the curiosity of those about her. Meanwhile Mr. Sutherland had stepped into the house. He found himself in a small ball with a staircase in front and an open door at the left.' On the threshold of this open door a man stood, who at sigbt of bim doffed his bat. Passing by this man. Sir. Sutherland entered the room beyond. A table spread with eatables met his view, beside which, in an attitude which struck him at the moment as peculiar, sat Philemon Webb, the well known master of the Louse. Astonished at seeing his old friend In this room and in such a position, he was about to address him when Mr. Fenton stopped him. "Wait!" said he. "Take a look at poor Philemon before you disturb him. He was sitting just as you see him wber. we broke into the house a half li ur ago, and we have let hin be for reasons you can easily appreciate. Exnmine him closely, Mr. Sutherland; he won't notice it." "But what ails him? Why does he sit crouched against the table? Is he hurt, too?" "No; look at his eyes." Mr. Sutherland stopped and pushed aside the long gray locks that half concealed the countenance of his aged friend. "Why," he cried startled, "they are closed! He isn't dead?" "No; he is asleep." "Asleep?" "Y'es. He was asleep when we came In and he is asleep yet. Some of the neighbors wanted to awake him, but I would not let them. His wits are not strong enough to bear a sudden shock." "No, no. poor Philemon! But that he should sit sleeping here while she but what do these bottles mean and this parade of supper In the room they were not accustomed to eat in?" "We don't know. It has not been eaten, you see. He has swallowed a "I don't $ce aViyiTifnj hut this poor Bleeping man," he began, rtaaa of cort. but tea! L" The other

glasses have had no wine In tnem. nor have the victuals been touched." "Seats for three and only one occupied." murmured Mr. Sutherland. "Strange! Could be have expected guests?" "It looks Ilk It. I don't know that his wife allowed him such privileges. But she was always too good to him and I fear has paid for It with her life." "Nonsense! He never killed her. Had his love been anything short of the worship it was, he stood In too much awe of her to lift his hand

against her. even La his most demented moments." "1 don't trust men of uncertain wits." returned tbe other. "You have not noticed everything that is to be seen In this room." Mr. Sutherland, recalled to his duty by these worts, looked quickly about him. With the exception of the table und what was on and by it there was nothing else in the. room. Naturally his glance returned to Philemon ebb. "I don't see anything but this poor sleeping man." he began. "Look at his sleeve." Mr. Sutherland, with a start, again i bent down. Tbe arm of his old friend lay crooked upon tbe table, and on Its j blue cotton sleeve there was a smear which might have been wine but which was blood. As Mr. Sutherland became assured of this, he turned slightly pale and looked inquiringly at the two men who were Intently watching bim. "This Is bad." said he. "Any other marks of blood below stairs?" "No. That one smear Is alL" "Oh. Philemon!" burst from Mr. Sutherland In deep emotion. Then as he looked long and shudderingly at his friend he added slowly: "He has been In the room where she j n-ns killorl sn mur-h la oviitont Rit t that be understood what was done there I cannot believe or he would not 1 , ..1,, t I - j, oit-vpiu ucie iiiit; a. tug. ututf, lei j us go upstairs." Fenton. with an admonitory gesture toward bis subordinate, turned directly toward the staircase. - Mr.. Sutherland followed biro, and they at once proceeded to tbe upper hall and Into the large front room, which had been the 6cene of the tragedy. It was the parlor or sitting room of i this small and unpretentious house. A rag carpet covered the floor, and the furniture was of the plainest kind, but tbe woman who lay outstretched on the stiff old fashioned lounge opposite the door was far from being Iu accord with the homely type of her surroundings. Though the victim of a violent death, her face and form, both of a beauty seldom to be found among women of any station, were so majestic in their calm repose that Mr. Sutherland., asj customed as he was to her noble ap- ! pearance. experienced a shock of surj prise that found vent in these words: "Murdered! She? You. have made i some mistake, my friends. Look at ! her face!" j But even in the act of saying this his i eyes fell on the blood which had dyed her cotton dress, and he cried: "Where was she struck and where Is the weapon which made this ghastly ; wnnnrt?" "She was struck while standing or sitting at this table," returned the constable, pointing to two or three drops of blood on its smooth surface. "The weapon we have not found, but the wound shows that it was inflicted by a three sided dagger." I "A three sided dagger?" "Yes," "I didn't know there was such a thing in town. Philemon could have had no dagger." "It does not seem so, but one can never tell. Simple cottages like these often contain the most unlooked for articles." Mr. Sutherland thought of what this cottage did contain and scrutinized the tonsiabl'e closbry.' lut the Tatter showed no discomposure. "I cannot Imagine a dagger being among its effects," he pursued. "Where was the body of Mrs. Webb lying when you came In?" "Where you see it now. Nothing has been moved or changed." "She was found here, on this lounge, in the same position in which we see her now?" "Yes, sir." "But that is Incredible. Look at the way sbe lies! Hands crossed, eyes closed, as though made ready for her burial. Only loving bands could have done this. What does it mean?" "It means Philemon; that is what it means, Philemon." .Mr. Sutherland shuddered, but said nothing, lie was dumfounded by these evidences of a carzy man's work. Philemon Webb always seemed so harmless, though he had been failing In mind for the last ten years. "But," cried Mr. Sutherland suddenly rousing, "there is another victim. I saw old woman Batsy hanging from a window ledge, dead." "Yes; she is in this other room; but there Is no wound on Batsy." "How was she killed, then?" "That the doctors must tell us." Mr. Sutherland, guided by Mr. Fenton's gesture, entered a small room opening Into the one In which they stood. His attention was at once at tracted by the body of the woman he had seen from beiow, lying half In and half out of the open window. That she was dead was evident; but, as Mr. Fenton had said, no wound was to be seen upon her, nor were there any marks of blood on or about the place where she lay. "This Is a dreadful business, groaned Mr. Sutherland, "the worst I have ever had anything to do with. Help me to lift the woman In; she has been long enough a show for the people outside." There was a bed In this room; indeed. It was Mrs. -Webb's bedroom, and upon this poor Batsy was laid. As the face came uppermost both -gentlemen started and looked at each other in amazement. The expression of terror and alarm which It showed was In striking contrast to the look of exaltation to be seen on the face of her dead mistress. CHAPTER IIL A. ltESTAL WRECK. As they re-entered the larger room they were astonished to come upon Miss Page standing In the doorway. She was gazing at the recumbent figure of tbe dead woman, and for a moment seemed unconscious of their presence. . "How did you get in? Which of my men, were w eak enough to let jou Dass

against my express lusviuCXiwr asked the constable, who was of an Irritable and suspicious nature. She let the hood drop from her head and. turning, surveyed him with a slowsmile. There was witchery In that smile sufficient to affect a much more cultivated and callous nature than his. and though he bad been proof against it once be could not quite resist tbe effect of its repetition. "I insisted upon entering." said she. "Do not blame the men. They did not want to use force against a woman." She had not a good voice and she knew

; It. but she covered up this defect by a choice of Intonations that carried her j lightest speech to the heart. Hard j visaged Amos Fenton gave a grunt, j vvhich was as near an expression of ; approval as he ever gave to any one. I "WelL wel1"' ue growled, but not ill ! naturedly. "It's a morbid curiosity i brin-s "ou here- Botttr droP !t irL u WOD't do -rou an Sod In the j c-"-3 "l v. Thank you," was ber demure reply. her lips dimpling at the corners In a way to shock the sensitive Mr. Sutherland. Glancing from her to tbe still outlines of the noble figure on tbe couch, he remarked with an air of mild reproof: "I do not understand you. Miss Page. If this solemn sight has no power to stop your coquetries nothing can. As for your curiosity, it Is both 111 timed and unwomanly. Let me see you leave this bouse at once. Miss Page, and If in the few hours which must elapse before breakfast you can find time to pack your trunks, you will still further oblige me." "Oh, don't send me away, I entreat you." It was a cry from her Inner heart, which she probably regretted, for she Instantly sought to cover up the anxiety It showed by a submissive bend of the head and a step backward. Neither Mr. Fenton nor Mr. Sutherland seemed to bear the one or see tbe other, their attention having returned to the more serious matter In band. "Tbe dress which our poor friend wears shows ber to have been struck before retiring." commented Mr. Sutherland, after another short survey of Mrs. Webb's figure. "If Philemon" "Excuse me. sir," Interrupted a voice, "but the young woman Is listening to what you say. She is still In the hall." It was tbe young man speaking, who had been left In the ball. "Sbe Is, is she!" exclaimed Fenton sharply, his admiration for the fascinating stranger having oozed out at his companion's rebuff. "I will soon show her" But the words melted into thin air as be reached the door. The young girl bad disappeared, and only a faint perfume remained in the place where she had stood. "A most extraordinary person," grumbled the constable, turning back, but stopping again as a faint murmur came up from below. "The gentleman Is waking," called up a voice whose lack of music was quite perceptible at a distance. With a bound Mr. Fenton descended the stairs, followed by Mr. Sutherland. Miss Page stood before the door of tfae room Jn wh!ch gat Phllemo-n WeDD, . .. ... ... Jin thpv rwohed br fii1 morl iicue dow tnat was naif mocKing, naif deprecatory, and slipped from the house. An almost unbearable sensation of incongruity vanished with her. and Mr. Sutherland, for one, breathed like a man relieved. "I wish the doctor would come," Fenton said, as they ,vatehed the slow lifting of Philemon Webb's head. "Our fastest rider has gone for him. but he's out Porcbester way, and it may be an hour yet before he can get here." "Philemon ! Mr. Sutherland had advanced and was standing by his old friend's side. 'Thilemon, what has become of your guests? You've waited for them here till morning." The old man with a dazed look surveyed the two plates set on either side of him and shook his head. "James and John are getting proud," said he, "or they forget, they forget" James and John. He must mean tbe Zables, yet there were many others answering to these names in town. Mr. Sutherland made another effort. "Philemon, where is your wife? I do not see any place set here for her?" "Agatha's sick, Agatha's cross; she don't care for poor old man like me." "Agatha's dead and you know It," thundered back the constable with Illjudged severity. "Who killed ber? Tell me that. Who killed her?" A sudden quenching of the last spark of intelligence in the old man's eye was the dreadful effect of these words. Laughing wfjh that strange gurgle which proclaims an utterly Irresponsible mind, he cried: "The pussy cat! It was the pussy cat Who's killed? I'm not killed. Let's go to Jericho." Mr. Sutherland took him by the arm and led him upstairs. Perhaps the sight of his dead wife would restore him. But he looked at her with the same indifference he showed to everything else. "I don't like her calico dresses." said he. "She might have worn silk, but she wouldn't Agatha, will you wear 6ilk to my funeral?" The experiment was too painful, and they drew him away. , But the constable's curiosity had been roused, and after they had found some one to take care of him he drew Mr. Sutherland aside and said: "What did the old man mean by saying she might-have worn silk? Are they better off than they seem?" Mr. Sutherland closed tbe door before replying. "They are rich." he declared to the utter amazement of the other. "That Is, they were, but they may have been robbed; if so, Philemon was not the wretch who killed her. I have been told that she kept her money in an old fashioned cupboard. Do you suppose they alluded to that one?' He pointed to a door set In the wall over the fireplace, and Mr. Fenton. perceiving a key sticking in the lock, stepped quickly across the flcor and oiened It A row of books met his eyes, but on taking tbem down a couple of drawers were seen at their back. "Are they locked?" asked Mr. Sutherland. "One Is and one Is not." "Open the one that is unlocked. Mr. Fenton did so. "It Is empty." said he. Mr. Sutherland cast a look toward the dead woman, and again the per-! feet serenity of her countenance struck him. "I do not know, whether, to regard iier j

as tne victim of cer husband's Itnbeeli

Ity or of some vile robber's cupidity. Can yon find the key to the other drawer? "I will try. "Suppose yoa bejfin, then, by looking on her person. It should b In her The perfect terenMy of her countenance etrucJi him. pocket. If no marauder has been here. "It is not in ber pocket." -Hanging to ner nect. then, by a string." "No; there Is a locket here, but no ' key. A very handsome locket, Mr. ; Sutherland, with" "Never mind, we will see that later; It Is tbe key we want just now.' "Good heavens T "What is It?" "It is iu her band; the one that lies underneath." "Ah! A point, Fenton. "A great point." "Stand by her. Fenton. Don't let any one rob her of that key till the coroner comes and we are at liberty to take It." "I will not leave her for an Instant. "Meanwhile, I will put back these books." lie bad scarcely done so when a fresh arrival occurred. It was one of the village clergymen. CHAPTER IV. A MYSTERIOUS WOKAX. This gentleman has some Information to give. As he was returning home from tbe bedside of a sick parish loner some little time before be had been run against on this very corner by a man rushing out of the gateway In a state of great agitation. This man held something In bis hand that gilt'tereVl, and, tbbugbthe" eneounteVnear- , ly upset them both, he had not stopped to otter an apology, but stumbled away into the darkness in a dazed and feeble way, showing that be was neither young nor active. The minister had not been able to see his face, but noticed the ends of a long beard blowIng over his shoulder as he hurried away. Philemon was a clean shared man Asked if be could give the time of his encounter, be replied that It was after 11 and before 12, for he was In his own house by 12. "Did you look up at these windows before leaving?" asked Mr. Fenton, for this interview had taken place in the presence of the dead. "I must have, for I now remember they were both lighted." "Were the shades up?" "I think not or I should have noticed the ceiling of the room. I remember 6eelng nothing." "How were the shades when you broke into tbe house this morning?" Inquired Mr. Sutherland of the constable. "Just as they are now; we have mov ed nothing. The shades were both down one of them over an open win dow." "Well, we may find this encounter of Mr. Crane's of decided lmpotance.', "I wish I had seen the man's face, remarked the latter. "What did the object look like yoa saw glittering in his hand?" ' " "I should not like to renture an opinion. I saw It but an Instant" "Could It bare been a knife or an old fashioned dagger? "It might have been. "Alas, poor Agatha! That money, something she so despised, should cause the death of a creature so grand and simple! Unhappy life, nnhappy death!, Fenton, I shall always mourn for Agatha Webb." "Yet she seems to have found peace at last" said the minister. "I bare never seen her look so contented." Then leading Mr. Sutherland aside he whispered; "What is It yoa say about money? Had she any considerable amount of it? 1 ask because In spite of their humble means of living she always put a generous donation on the plate, and I have received more than once during my pastorate an unexpectedly large and anonymous contribution for certain charities. As it was always for sick or suffering children I" "Yes. yes. I have no doubt It came from her. She was by no means poor, though I myself never knew the extent of her means till lately. Philemon was a good business man once, but they evidently preferred to live simply, harms; no children living Tbey have lost six. I hare been told." "So the Forcbester folks say. They probably had no heart for display or for even the simplest luxuries. At all events tbey did not Indulge In them." "Philemon has long been past Indulging in "anything." . "Oh. he likes his comfort, and be has had it too. Agatha never stinted him-, "Bet why do yon think ber death was due to her having money? "She bad a large sum In the house, and there are some who knew this. "And Is It goner "That we shall know later. As the coroner arrived at this moment the minister's curiosity had to wait. Fortunately for his equanimity no one had the presumption to ask him to leave the room. Tbe coroner was a man of but few words and but little given to emotion. Yet they were surprised at his first question. "Who la the young woman who Is standing outside there, the only one In the yard?" Mr. Sutherland, moving rapidly to the window, drew aside tbe shade. "It is Miss. Page, my housekeeper's niece. he explained. "1 do not under- ! stand her interest in this affair. She followed tne here from the house and could hardly be got to leave this room, j into which she intruded herself against j my express command. !

"But look at-her attitude.". It

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M.r. f entou wuo spoae. "sne's cratier than Philemon, it seems to me. There was some reason for this remark. Guarded by the high fence from the gaze of the pushing crowd without, she stood upright and immovable in the middle of the yard, like one on watch. The hood which sbe had dropped from her bead when she thought ber eyes and smile might be of use to ber in the furtherance of her plana had been drawn over it again, so that she looked more like' a statue in gray than a tiring, breathing woman. Yet there was menace in her attitude and a purpose In the solitary 'stand she took in that circle of board' girded grass which caused a thrill In the breast of those who looked at her from that chamber of death. "A mysterious young woman, muttered the minister. "And one that I neither countenance nor understand." interpolated Mr. Sutherland. "1 hare Just shown her the displeasure I feel at her actions by dismissing her from my boose. The coroner gave him a quick look. Seemed about to speak, but changed his mind and turned toward the dead woman. CHAPTER V. BLOOD 0!T TUB QBAIB. The Inquiries which followed elicit ed one or two new facta. First, that all the doors of the house were fonnd unlocked, and. secondly, that the constable had been among the first to come in, so that he could rouch that no disarrangement had been, made In the rooms with the exception of Batsy's remoral to the bed. Then, his attention being drawn to the dead woman, he dlscorered the key in her tightly closed hand, "Where does, this" key belong?" he ""They Showed" Elfin te dftwerrETthe cupboard. "One is empty." said Mr. Sutherland., "If the other Is found to be In the same condition, then her money has been taken. That key sbe holds should open both these drawers. "Then let it be made .use of at once. It is important that we should know whether theft has been committed here as well as murder." And drawing the key out he handed it to Mr. Fenton. The constable Immediately 'unlocked the drawer and brought it and Its contents to the table. "No money here, said he. "But papers as good as money, announced the doctor. "See, here are deeds and more than one valuable bond. I judge that she was a richer woman than any of us knew." Mr. Sutherland meantime was looking with an air of disappointment Into the now empty drawer. "Just as I feared." said he. "She has been robbed of ber ready money. It was doubtless in the other drawer." "How came she by the key, then?" "That is one of tbe mysteries of tbe affair. Thla murder Is by no means a simple one. I begin to think we shall find It full of mysteries." "Batsy's death,' for Instance?" "Oh. yes. Batsy! I had forgotten that sbe was found dead too." "Without a wound, doctor." "Sbe bad heart disease. I doctored her for it Tbe fright baa killed her." "Tbe look of her face confirmed that" "Let me see. So it does. But wo must bsv rn rtTTonr to nrore It" (To Be Continued.) . Now Is the time to start a Savings Account . with Dickinson Trust Company. Begin with the New Year. 31-tf Use artificial gas for light and heat 10-tt I flu 4 Ca.raret gnni tbat I set be ithoni tbm. 1 wti trraUl creak detl wilt torpid liT.r and beaJah. Now tinea taklat Curareta Caadr Catbartie J fl ery mora fertter I thail eertaialr roaaaa4 tam t my friaad mi the hrt aseiieifi 1 bar rrtr -n." Abbs Bazioet. Osbora Mill Mo. 2, rail Hirer, If aaa. Picas aa Tr bickaa. feaxaotaad aterliag Reme Co., Chicac N.T. Sac j

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