Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13
svnopsls of Previous Chapters.


l to IVA young doctor, Ralph Boyd.
cunfdes TO his friend his apparently groundless
suspicion concerning his personal wellbeing and
safety This friend. Amber Jevons, gives MS
sympathy and promises his help in case OF need.
He Is in the tea trade. but his favorite hobby
Is Investigating crime and unrayelinS mysteries
Boyd himself is the son of an NJ p. and assist
ant to Sir Bernard Eyton. He has an interview
with his chief and they discuss the Illness OF
old Mr.. Henry Courtney. who lives at hleh-
mOnd road. Kew. Instantly the young doctor
conceives the idea that his mysterious presenti-
ment is connected with this family. His inter
est in that home Is centcrei on Ethelwynn MlV-
art, Henry Courtnays sister-in-law. whose Ma
donna type of beauty exercises fascination
over him. He determines to spend the evening
at Richmond road. The domestic life OF the
Courtnays instances the truth Of the Shakes
pearean proverb that May cannot wed Decem-
Der. Mrs Courtnay; young gay; pretty Is
utterly out Of sympathy with the elderly, short
tempered, invalid husband with whom she mas
linked her fate for merceDary considerations.
Consequently she spends her evenings outside
her home and leaves the care of her husband
very much to the nurse and her sister Ethel
wynn. On this particular evening Ralph and
Ethelwynn discuss domestic matters In the
drawing room. As usual. Mrs. Courtnay Is out.
Ethelwynn surprises Ralph by evincing keen
interest in Henry Courtnay's apparent improve
separate, Ralph Boyd returning home. He
is reused from his SAUNDERS early the following
morning by a visit from Mr.. Courtnays foot
man. Short, who tells him that his master has
been murdered.
CHAPTERS and VI.-Short gives DR.. Boyd
sees Ethclwynn, who is in great terror. Ralph
comes to the conclusion that the man was muir
dered In his sleep by a skilful hand. Short is
sent TO the police station. and some detectives
arrive Accidentally the doctor discovers clue,
which m has picked up at the bedside OF the
murdered man. He quietly transfers 1t to his
pocket. Then comes the examination of the
servants and the promises are carefully gone
over. Ralph seizes the opportunity OF being
alone few moments. and. after a glance at
his find Is overwhelmed by the terrible truth.
CHAPTERS VII and VIII.-Ralph notices that
Ethelwynn is wearing cream chenille shawl,
and In order to convince himself OF the truth
of his suspicious, places his hand on 1t to feel
the texture. Immediately after this Mrs. Court
nay arrives. In state of wild excitement
When she knows her husband is dead she loses
her senses, and after the doctor has restored
her she appears 10 be suffering from lapse of
memory Finally she realizes the truth OF her
widowhood and collapses only once rousing
herself sufficiently to proclaim her freedom and
to fling her wedding ring across the room: The
doctor thinks he has obtained another clue in
the shape of a long, thin knife OF, Indian design,
which hangs In the hall. and which Short de-
clares he had armed himself with before max
ing his tour Of inspection around the grounds.
This knife. the doctor Is convinced, has inflicted
the dead mans wound. At last Amber Jevons
turns up, and after listening patiently to the
whole story pays a visit TO the dead man
ROOM which he carefully examines He makes
copious notes. and finally, struck with a new
idea, he PUSHES upstairs again. leaving the doc
tor Mt liberty to re-examine his clue-a tiny bit
Of white chenille. with smear of blood on ii.
CHAPTERS TX and X.-The doctor Is con-
vinced that his beloved. Ethelwynn Mivart. is
an assassin but after carefully considering
the whole thing he determines to say nothing
Of his suspicion to his friend Jevons until after
the inquest. Ralph Boyd leaves the house in
the possession OF the police and the reporters
and visits the two women. Mrs. Courtney Is
full OF self-reDroach, but Ethelwypn has re-
gained her customary easy manner and innocent
expression. She does not appear to like Amber
Jevons, but breathes more freely when she
hears he has discovered nothing. Drs. Boyd
and Farmer examine the wound. Sir Bernard
arrives while the post-mortem Is being made.
In the evening Amber JevOns calls on his
friend at Harley Place. They discuss the muir
der but come nearer to Its solution. At the
inquest Short gives evidence, his only lame
statement being that he rushed out to search
tie grounds Ethelwynn gives her testimony
succinctly. Sir Bernard states that the wound
which caused Henry Courtnay's death is eight
times larger inside than the exterior inctsiOn
After the inquest Boyd and Jevons depart to-
gether and dine at an Inn In their conversa-
ton Jevons turns Boyds attention to the safe.
which was In the deceased's room, and which
he wishes to examine They go to Richmond
road. find the key, unlock the safe and proceed
10 search It, Among other documents is small
pocket tied with pink tape. This Jevons passes
10 Boyd. who. after glancing at the signature
Of the first letter. utters a cry. He has OBJ
tanned another clue.