Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-29

HAPTERS to IVA young doctor. Ralph Boyd
confdes to his friend his apparently groundless
suspicion concerning his personal welEbeing ana
safety. This friend Amber Jevons, gives MS
sympathy and promises his help In case or need
He is IN the tea trade but his favorlte hoppy
Is nvestIga ting crime and unrayeling mysteries
Boyd himself Is the son of an M. P, and ASSIST
ant to Sir Bernard Eyton. Ee has an interview
with his chief and they discuss the illness or
old Mr. Henry Courtney, who lives at Rich
mond-road, Kew. Instantly the young doctor
conceives the idea that his mysterious PRESENT.
ment is connected with this family. His Inter
est in that home is centered IN Ethalwynn Mtv-
art Henry Courtnays sister-in-law, whose ha-
donna type Of beauty exercises faselna. 10
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. snort
tempered. invalid husband. with whom she mas
linked her fate for mercenary considerations.
Consequently she spends her evenings OUTSIDE
her home and leaves the care of her husband
very much to the nurse and her sister. Ethei.
WYNN on this particular evening Ralpn and
Ethelwynn discuss domestic matters In the
drawing room. AS usual Mrs. Courtney Is out.
Ethclwynn surprises Ralph by evincing keen
interest in Henry Courtnay's apparent improve
ment in health. After their tete a-tete the low
ers separate, Ralph Boyd returning home. lie
Is roused from his sumbers early the following
morning by a visit from Mr.. Courtnays foot
man, Short. who tells him that his master has
been murdered
CHAPTERS V and vI.-Short gives DR.. Boyd
the whole story he knows 1t. The doctor
Ethelwynn. who is In great terror halph
comes To the conclusion that the man was muir
dered in his sleep by skfllful hand. Short is
sent to the police station, and some detectives
arrive Accidentally the doctor discovers clue,
which he 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 premises are carefully gone
over Ralph sezes the opportunity of being
alone a few moments, and. after glance at
his find. is overwhelmed by the terrible truth.
CHAPTERS VII and NIII.-Ralph notices that
Ethelwynn Is wearing cream chenille shawl
and I'm 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 a state of wild excitement
When she knows her husband Is dead she loses
her senses and after the doctor has restored
her she appears to be suffering from lapse or
memory. Finally she realizes the truth Of her
widowhood and collapses, only once rouslng
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 s
room which he carefully examines. He makes
copious notes and finally. struck with new
idea he rushes upstairs again, leaving the doc
tor at liberty to re-examine his clue-a tiny bit
of white chenille. with smear of blood on 1t.