Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-11

edge Of the rug. I saw lying close to the
rug, a small quill. 1t was a camePs hair
brush. I laid 1t down and continued my
careful scrutiny. Long and steadily
looked at the embedded gem. Suddenly. as
1 moved my hand, there burst family but
wildly upon my startled consciousness the
imprint Of the letter "V'' in dots In one arm
of which the diamond rested. To my aston
ishment, and with a dimly defined feeling
of horror, 1 saw a snakes head looking out
from the "V." Like flash there came to
my startled mind the ring Of the companion
of my last summers trip to Boston and the
story told about him.
1 removed the diamond. Just then there
was a knock at the studio door, Unlocking
1t, admitted DR.. Everett. Hardly think
ing, 1 gave him the brush and asked him
If he had ever seen Van Cruger using such
a brush in his work, for he was an init
mate friend of the dead sculptor and often
visited him while he worked.
why, no." he answered. Il don't know
that have, and 1 can't imagine what he
could do with it here. for he never used
colors or OIL"
That called his attention to the bust, and
he said:
How lovingly Alex. worked upon that
Clytle. Yesterday afternoon Hamilton and
l came in here, and, we pushed aside
the portiere really believe he was kissing
the statue
"Hamilton!" exclaimed, IT thought"
Yes" he broke in, Il know they were
OIl Idtller QlSldUt TERMS last year, Out since
Van Cruger's return from Paris close
friendship seemed to exist between them.
why, yes" he continued, as he bent over
the bust. Il sure he was kissing it's
lips, and believe there is a mustache hair
there now"
Sure enough almost hidden from sight,
but lying between the half-parted lips, was
a fine, dark-brown hair. 1 took it away
carefully by the aid of my pencil. 1t was
too fine for a mustache hair. My eyes
caught sight of the little brush which the
doctor had put down by the side of the
bust. The hair was Enthusiastically from 1t.
1 finished my search and found no indf-
cations of anything out of the way The
chief smiled as 1 reported and said:
II thought so, but Miss Maitland was
so disturbed and SO positive of foul play"
1 went home, and after dining and smok-
ing, was about to go out when there was
a whistle from the speaking tube con-
nected with the door which called my at
tention.
''Who is there?' asked.
us Mr.. Carroll INF" feminine voice
asked.
1 replied Yes" Opening the door. I
found a beautiful woman in street attire,
whose veil, flung hastily aside. disclosed a
face bearing marks of mental anguish. She
stepped inside, closed the door behind her,
and said:
You are Mr.. Carroll. the detectiver'
Yes
II am Helen Maitland. and have been
sent TO you 1Or cOnrrmatlOn or the report
just given me at the Office of the chief of
police in the case of Mr. Van Cruger. Ever
since 1 was told of his DEATH have been
sure he was murdered"
What possible reason was there for the
murder of Mr.. Van Cruger?" asked. He
had no enemies
He had an enemy, a cruel, revengeful
enemy who had sworn to kill him before
he would see me his wife," she said, with
such a cry Of anguish that went to my
heart
1 waited moment for her to collect her
self and then said. as kindly as I could:
THAT is a strange statement, Miss Matt
land
TT is the truth. but his name shall never
pass my lips until the truth Is discovered"
she sobbed again
stood with my hands in my coat pock-
out the little brush 1 had found in the
sculptor's room.
Did you ever see such an article in Mr.
out to her. Why I asked l don't know
She took 1t, looked at 1t. and said: mo,
1 don't remember" She attempted to place
it on a desk close by her side, but it fell
from her trembling hand. My cat, Dandy,
a beautiful Maltese, seized 1t in her mouth
and sprang away from my grasp. I let her
go. l said: But. Miss Maitland 1t is
your duty to aid us in our search by tell
ing us everything that might have a pos
sible bearing upon it"
II cannot" she faltered, but pleaded
with her, and finally, she said.
well, / will tell you. I was once half
believe. deeply and passionately. His is a