Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-23
CHAPTER vlI.-THE NAN SHORT
AND HIS STORY

AMI HID Va
A light footstep sounded behind ms.
lite object hastily back into my pocket
when my well-beloved entered in search
Of ne.
what do the police think. Ralph"
she asked eagerly. Have they any clue?
Do tell me-.
They have no clue" answered in
a voice which fear sounded hard and
somewhat abrupt.
Then turned from her. as though fully
occupied with the investigation at which
( was assisting. and went past her. leav
Ing her Standing alone.
The police were busy examining the
3co and windows of the back premises.
sitchcns. scuIlery. and pantry. but could
find no evidence of any lock or fastening
having been tempered with. The house
%aS a large detached red brick one.
standing in a lawn that was quite spa
fious for sudden house. and around
Il rar an asphalt path which 6iversed
rom the right hand corner of the build
ing and ran in two parts to the road
tae a semi-circular drive, which came VI,
20 the portico from the road. and the
ether Il tradesnen's path, that ran TO the
opposite extremity Of the property
From the back Kitchen 4 Goor led out
Hnd as l rejoined the scarchcTs some dis
cussion was in progress as TO whether
the door in question had been secured.
The acknowledgements had found it I'M
bolted and unlocked. but the cook most
positively asserted that she had both
locked and boIted it at half-past 10, when
the under housemaid had come in from
her evening out None of the servants.
however, recoliected having undone the
ioor. either before the alarm or after.
Perhaps Short had done SO, but he was
absent in search OF the dead mans
widow.
The police certainly spared 10 pains in
their search They literally turned the
whole place upside down. One man on
his hands and knees. and carrying
candle. carefully examined the stair-car-
pet TO see if he could find the marks
Ct unusual feet. 1t was wet outside and
II an intruder had been there. there
would probably remain marks Of muddy
.eet He found many, but they were
!hose of the constable and the two detec-
dives. Hence the point beyond solution.
The drawing-room. the dining-room, the
mornlng-room. and the big conservatory
aere all closely inspected but without
any satisfactory result. My love follow
I'd us everywhere. white-faced and ner-
yous with the cream chenille shawl still
over her shoulders. She had hastily put
up her wealth Of dark hair. and now
wore the shawl wrapped lightly about
her
That shawl attracted me ! managed
70 speak With her alone for a moment.
asking her quite an unimpor'ant ques-
lion. but nevertheless with a distinct OBJ
iect. AS we stood there ] placed my
hand upon her shoulder-and upon the
shawl. II was for that very reason-in
order to feel the texture of the silk-tha:
returned to her.
The contact of my hand with the silk
was convincing. turned from her once
again, and rejoined the s..rewd me!,
whose object il was to fasten the guilt
upon the assassin.
Presently we heard the welcome sound
Of cab wheels outside. and a few minutes
alter young Mrs. Courtney. wild-eyed.
and breatlaless. rushed into the hall and
dashed heaclong UP the stairs. l, how
ever barred her passage.
Short has told me he is worse. and has
asked for me. Let me pass
No, Mary not SO quickly. Let me tell
you soncthing ] answered gravely
placing my hand firmly upon her arm.
The police were again re- examining the
back premises below. and only Ethel
wynn was present a the top of the stairs
where arrested her progress 10 the dead
mans room.
but IS there eanger?" she demanded
enxfousiy Tell me-"
The crisis Is over" responded am
oicnoas'y. but Is not your absence TO-
Night rather unusuala"
III was entirely my own fault" She
admitted Il shall never forgive myself
Tor this neglect. After the theatre we
rad supper al the Savoy. and ] lost my
last train. Dolly Henn!lser. OF course.
asked me TO stay. and I could not re-
'use, Then glanciDg from my face to
that of her sister She ASKED: why. do
YOU both Jock so strange? Tell me-" she
shrleked. Tell me the worse. Is he
Is he dead2"
noc6ed in the affirmative
For second she stood dumb, then
pave vent to a long wall. and would
haVe fallen seeseless had not caught
aer IN my arms and laid her back upon
me long settee placed n an alcoye In tn.
landing. She. like all the others. had
dressed hurr.edly. Her hair was DISNEY.
sseo beneath her hat, but her ,dtsordered
evening Dress was concealed by her lor ~
rlster heavily lined With SILVER for =
maEn!ncent garment which her doing