Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13
CHAPTER XIV.
Is Distinctly Curious.

The dark days of the London winter
frightened into spring, but the mystery Of
old Mr.. Courtenays death remained an
enigma inexplicable to police and public.
Amber Jevons had prosecuted Independent
inquiries assiduously in various quarters,
detectives had watched the subsequent
movements of Short and the other servants,
but all to no purpose. The sudden disap-
pearance of Short was discovered to be
due to the illness of his brother.
The identity of the assassin, as well as
| the mode in which the extraordinary wound
had been inflicted, both remained mysteries
impenetrable
At Guys we were a trife understaffed.
and my work was consequently heavy;
while. added to that, Sir Bernard was suf,
fering from the effects Of a severe chill and
not been able to come to town for nearly
a month. Therefore, 1 had been kept at it
practically night and day, dividing my time
between the hospital Harley street and
my own rooms. l saw little OF my friend
Jevons, for his partner had been ordered to
Bournemouth for his health. and therefore
his constant attendance at his office In Mark
lane was imperative. Amber had now but
little leisure save on Sundays, when we
would usually dine together at the Cavour,
the Globe, the Florence or some other for
eign restaurant.
he would sigh, his face would assume a
puzzled expression and he would declare
| that the affair utterly passed his compre-
tension Once or twice he referred to
Ethelwynn, but 1t struck me that he did
| not give tongue to what passed within his
mind for fear of Offending His meth
| olds were based on patience, therefore 1
often wondered whether he was still Sc
cretly at work upon the case, and, If SO,
whether he had gained any additional facts.
Yet he told me nothing. 1t was mystery,
he said-that was all.
| OF Ethelwynn l saw but little, making my
constant occupation with Sir Bernard 8
patients my excuse. She had taken up her
abode with Mrs Henniker-a married
cousin. living in Radcliffe Square, at whose
house Mary had stayed on the night of the
| tragedy. The furniture at Richmond road
| had been removed and the house advertised
! for sale, young Mrs. Courtenay having
| moved to her aunts house in the country,
| a few miles from Bath.
| On several occasions had dined at Red
| cliffe Square. finding both Mrs. Henniker
| and her husband extremely agreeable. Hen
Germ at Caphom, and a very good fellow,
while his wife was middle-aged, fair
haired woman of the type who shop OF
| afternoons in Hight street, Kensington.
| favorite with both. hence she was a well
/ come guest at Radcliffe Square. Old Mr..
/ Courtenay had had business relations with
| Henniker a couple Of years before, and q
slight difference had led to an open quarrel
For that reason they had never visited al
Kew.
On the occasions had spent the evening
| with Ethelwynn at their house / had
| watched her narrowly, yet neither by look
nor by action did she betray any sign Of a
guilty secret. Her manner had during
those weeks changed entirely. for She
seemed perfectly calm and self-possessed
and. although she alluded but seldom tc
| our love. she treated me with the same
| sweet tenderness as before the fatal night
of her brother-in-laws ASA ssination.
/ must admit that her attitude although
1t inspired me with a certain amount OF
confidence, nevertheless caused me to pom.
der deeply. / knew enough of human ma
ture to be aware that it is woman's metiel
to keep up appearances. Was she keeping
up an appearance of innocence, although
her heart was blackened by crime?
One evening, when we CHANGED to be lef
alone in the little smoking room after din
ner. she suddenly turned to me, saying:
I've often thought how strange you mus
have thought my visit to your rooms tina
| night, Ralph. 1t was objectionable / know
only 1 wanted to warn you of that man."
"Of Sir Bernardo / observed, laughing
Yes. But 1t appears that you have no
needed me-" she sighed. IT fear, Ralph
that you viii regret some day.
why should ! regret? Your fears ar,
surely baseiess."
No she answered decisively. ."They ar
not baseless. / have reasons-strong ones
for urging you to break your connection
with him. He is no friend to YOU"
I smiled. I knew quite well that he wa