Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-22
@ o r ID O N
III O L Nj z S
Author of "A
Mysterious Disappearance
Copyright, 1905, by Edward J. Clode.
Copyright in Great Britain

Copyright in GreatB
who might have motive in taking the
old mans life" his mother relentlessly
" Brading the detective to suspect Edith
Holt at present. But he is dangerously shrewd
man and may look in another direction at any
moment"
Warren turned haggard eyes his mother. He
was almost sober again | must go and get the
books now,' he said, if repeating lesson Il
must go and get them now
You must go now" repeated Mrs. Warren
firmly. "Brading is the person most to be feared,
and he has just driven to the village If meet him
my way | will detain him long possible.
Be careful; but for my sake we'll your
make bold effort, for you may never have another
chance"
She kissed him tenderly, and then, if ashamed
of her emotion, walked away, her gray head erect,
her step unfaterng.
Warren looked after her irresolute1y. Then he
experienced overwhelming impulse to act.
Something must be done. He glanced nervously
at the shadows of the fading day and turned
back mechanically toward the Hall.
Il must get them now" he muttered half
comprehendng.
The difficulty of the task before him was such as
he did not realize in his agitated, drink dazed
dition Hitherto, Angler had been busily engaged
in preparing for the inquest and in going through
Lord Arnclttes various papers; but, Mrs. Warren
had said he might turn his attention to the books
that he might send the forged pass-book to the
bankers at Alnwick, and that, of course, would
mean rretrievable calamity. Since, too, Bradng
had taken up his abode at the Hall, there seemed
to be a relentless vigilance that, appearing to be
objectless, yet all-embracing. Warren bitterly
regretted the tmidity that had sent him rushing
empty handed from the study at the sound of the
creakng stair that night of Lord Arnclife's death.
The discriminating books could then have been had
for the taking it would be miracle if he accom-
plished his purpose in time
Oddly enough this bull-headed young man had
talent for figures. Had he directed his bookkeeping
abilities into legitimate channels he would have
been model accountant The business between
Lord Arnclife and his ordinary bankers had almost
invariably been conducted by the agent Lord
Arncliffe's account large that there had been
little danger of unusual item drawing attention
to the Irregularities Moreover Warren had made
a point of always getting and delivering the pass
book personally. Except when it at the bank,
the genuine pass-book left his possession for
a moment, while the forged one had always been
filled in with the utmost and attention to
detail.
Now as he neared the Hall his dazed mind tried
to formulate some definite plan of campaign. His
only hope apparently to inveige the solicitor
out of the room, if only for a single moment. Yet
to accomplish this without laying himself open to
suspicion appeared to be impossible. But he must
get the books now! Tomorrow might be too
late.
The library the ground floor, and Warren
saw, with a chill of apprehension, that there
a dim light within the room. He knew that light
we'll 1t came from a shaded desk-lamp. He
the fatal books. At the thought, the fumes of