Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-20
husbands death might have been solved If

Scotland Yard, with personal instructions
from the superinte ndent Of the criminal m
Vestlgat1on Department. to leave no stone
unturned in order to arrive at a successful
ISSUE.
And what has been done?" asked the
young widow in tone of discomfort
why, absolutely nothing. There has, 1
suppose, been pretenee at trying to solve
the mystery. but finding it too difficult they
have given it up and, turned their attention
to some other crime more open and plain
sailing. I've no faith in the police what
ever. It's scandaloasr'
l smiled then said:
MY friend, Amber Jevons-you know
him. for he dined at Richmond road one
evening-has been most active in the af-
fair
But he's not a detective. How can he
expect to triumph where the police fail?
HE often does, l declared. His meth
obs are different from the hard and fast
rules followed by the police. He commences
at whatever point presents itself, and la
borously works backwards with patience
that is absolutely extraordinary. He has
Yard has failed"
And is he engaged upon my poor hus-
bands case?' asked Mary, suddenly inter-
ested.
Yes"
For what reason?"
''Well-because he is one of those for
whom mystery of crime has a fascinating
attraction
But he must have some motive in de-
voting time and patience to matter which
does not concern him in the least, Mrs.
Mivart remarked
Whatever is the motive, 1 can assure
you that 1t is an entirely disinterested one,
l said.
But what has he discovered? Tell me-"
Mary urged
Il am quite in ignorance 1 said. 1--WE
are most intimate friends, but when en-
gagged on such Investigations he tells me
IF 81 ,,flti hoy
plete. All L know is that so active is he al
this moment that l seldom see him. He is
OFTEN tied to his office in the city, but has,
l believe recently been on flying visit
abroad for two or three days
"Abroad.' she echoed. "Where?'
L don't know l met a mutual friend in
the Strand yesterday and ne told me that
he had returned Yesterday
Has he been abroad in connection with.
the inquiries, do you think?' Mrs. Mvart
inquired.
II really don't know Probably he has.
When he takes up a case he goes into it
with a greater thoroughness than any de-
tective living
Yes Mary remarked Il recollect now
the stories you used to tell us regarding
him-of his exciting adventures-of his pa
tent tracking of the guilty ones. and of his
marvellous ingenuity in laying traps to get
them to betray themselves. 1 now recollect
quite well that evening he came to Rich
mond road with you. He was a most in
teresting man
Let us hope he will be more successful
than the police ] said.
Yes, DOCTOR she remarked. signing for
the first time. Il hope he will--for the mys-
terry of it all drives to distraction
Then placing both hands to her brow, she
added: 'Ah. if we could only discover the
truth-the real truth
Have patience" | urged. "A complicated
mystery such as it is cannot be cleared up
without long and careful inquiry"
But in the months that have gone by
surely the police should have at least made
some discovery" she said in voice of COM
plant. Yet they have not the slightest
clue. aI
I'VE can only wait I said, Personally.
| have confidence in my friend, Jevons. If
there is a clue to be obtained, depend upon
it he will scent 1t out.
1 did not tell them of my misgivngs nor
did l explain how Amber, having found
himself utterly baf1ed had told me of his
intention to relinquish further effort. The
flying trip abroad might be in connection
with the case but l felt confident that it
was not. He knew, as We'll as | did, that
the truth was to be found in England.
Again we spoke of Ethelwynn and from
Mary's references to her sister | gathered
that slight coolness had fallen between
them. She did not, somehow. speak of her
in the same terms of affection as formerly.
1t might be that she shared her mothers
preiudices, and did not approve of her TAX
ing up her abode with the Hennikers. Be
it how it might, there were palpable signs
of strained relations
Could it be possible. / wondered. that
Mary had learned of her sisters secret en-
gagement to her husband?
| looked full at her IS that thought hashed
through my mind Yes, she presented
picture of sweet and interesting widow
hood In her voice. as in her cOuntenance,
was just that slight touch of grief which
told me plainly that she was heart-broken,
remCrseful woman-a woman, Ike many an
other who knew not the value of a tender.
honest and indulSent husband until he had
been snatched from her. Mother and daugh-
ter both WIDOWS. were a truly sad and SYM
pathetic pair.
As we spoke l watched her eyes, and
noted her every movement attentively. but
failed utterly TO discern any suggestion of
what her mother had remarked.
Once at mention of her dead husband she
had of a sudden exclaimed IN low voice,
full of genuine emotion:
'.Ah yes He was 50 kind. so good al
WAYS | cannot believe that he will never
come back" and she burst into tears which
her mother, with a word of apology to me,
quietly soothed away.
When we rose l accompanied them to the
drawing room, but without any music and
with Mary's sad haif-tragic countenance
before us, the evening was by no means a
merry one, therefore | was glad when, In
pursuance Of the country habit of retiring
early the maid brought my candle and
showed me to my room.
1t was not yet 10 O'Clock, and feeling in
no mood for sleep, l took from my bag the
novel | had been reading on my journey.
and. throwing myself into an armchair.
first gave myself up to deep reflection over
a pine. and afterward commenced to read.
The Ginning of the church clock down in
the village aroused me, causing me to
glance at my watch 1t was midnight.
rose and going to the window pulled aside
the Hind and looked out upon the rural
view living calm and mysterious beneath the
brilliant moonlight
How different was that peaceful aspect
to the one to which / was, alas, accustomed
that long blank wall in the noisy Maryle-
bone road There the cab bells tinkled all
night, market wagons rumbled through till
dawn. and the moonbeams revealed drunk
en- Jewellers after CLOSING time"
A strong desire seized me to go forth and
enioy the splendid night. Such a treat of
peace and solitude was seldom afforded me-
stifled as 1 was by the disinfectants In hos
pital wards and the variety Of perfumes and
pastilles in the rooms of wealthy patients
Truly the life of the London doctor is the
most monotonous and laborous Of the
learned professions. and little wonder is 1t
that when the jaded medico finds himself
in the country or by the sea he seldom fails
to take his fill Of fresh air.
At first a difficulty presented itself in
letting myself out unheard; but recollect-
ed that in the new wing of the house, in
which l had been placed. there were no
other bedrooms; therefore, with a little care
l might descend undeteeted. So taking nv
hot and st,ck T oneued the door STOLE no;se-