Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-17
CHAPTER VII.


that Miss Bull had Informed him how
Lord Darlington was connected with
the late Mrs. Jersey, George thought it
Just as we'll that she should be ques-
toned. Certainly Miss Bull, who ap-
peared to be dour and secretive sort
of person, might not speak On the
other hand, if he could induce her to
be frank he might learn from her
presuming she knew-the reason why
Lord Darlington had leased the Amelia
square house to Mrs. Jersey.
On his way Brendon meditated on
Ireland's remarks about the holly. He
remembered the agitation Of Mrs. Jer-
sey when she saw the sprig in his
coat. She had been at San Reno when
his father was stabbed, and Ireland
had mentioned that the woman with
whom the deceased man had left the
ballroom wore sprig of yellow holly.
Had the berries been red George
might not have thought SO much Of
the matter, but yellow holly is COM
paratively rare, and evidently Mrs.
Jerseys alarm had been caused by her
recollection Of the murder. The sight
Of the holly had revived her memory.
II wonder If she had anything to do
with the murder" mused George as he
turned into Amelia square. Probably
she had nothing to do with the blue
domino or with the matter Of the
crime From what Ireland says, how
80 hN1lu m
toned in connection with the murder,
and Mrs. Jersey, then Eliza Stokes,
probably heard Of it. That was why
she shivered and turned pale when she
saw the sprig in my coat
Having thus decided the question,
though not in very satisfactory way,
George rang the bell and was admitted
into the sitting room in which the muir
der had taken place. 1t was empty,
but Jarvey departed Immediately to
fetch Miss Bull.
George knew the room well. 1t had
been used by his grandfather as a
breakfast room, and many meal had
he enjoyed at that very table. AS the
furniture had been sold to Lord Der
rington, together with the house, the
table was the very article Of furniture
at which Mrs. Jersey had been stabbed
when seated Brendon looked from the
table to the door and wondered If the
assassin had entered stealthily with q
barred weapon and had stabbed the
wretched woman before she had time
to turn her head. But on second
thoughts he was inclined to think that
the assassin had been in friendly con
yersation with Mrs. Jersey before in
fiicting the fatal stroke. Even in the
short distance between table and door
Mrs Jersey would have had time to
spring to her feet and give the alarm.
NO" thought George as he seated
himself; what said to Train is cor
rect The assassin engaged Mrs Jer-
sey in friendly conversation and then
watched for an opportunity to strike
from behind
He would have continued trying to
puzzle out the circumstances of the
crime but that Miss Bull entered, ac
companied by Margery. The little old
maid looked whittier and more haggard
than ever, but her eyes cleaned bright
~, and she seemed to be In perfect
health. Margery, now being the nomi-
nal head of the house, appeared more
important, but she kept her eyes on
Miss Bulls face and In all things took
her orders from this superior being.
"How are you, Mr.. Brendon?" said
Miss Bull, smiling In her prim way.
but without Offering her hand. II did
not expect to see you again."
"Why not?" asked George quickly.
Miss Bull! shrugged her thin shout
ders and fastened her beady eyes on
his face. MANY Of the boarders left
on account Of madame's murder, SO I
thought you had done the same"
II was only a visitor, Miss Bull.
Had I been boarder should not
have left. The murder did not scare
me-"
NO." replied Miss Bull indifferently;
II don't suppose it did. I only talked
for the sake Of talking"
Brendon was rather embarrassed
how to begin the conversation, espe-
cially as Margery was present Some
thing Of this showed itself in his man
ner. for Miss Bull drew Margery's
hand within her own and nodded at
fably. Miss Watson is the head of
the house." she said. do you come to
see her or me, Mr.. BrendonY"
II come to see you,' said George,
hoping she would send the incon-
venient third away. But she did moth
ing Of the sort.
"In that case Margery can stop as
my friend, Mr. Brendon. Anything you
say before her will go no further. She
keeps my secrets"
Margery stopped and kissed the old
maids hand Miss Bull patted her
head and turned cheerfully to her visit
or. Eyes Mr.. Brendony' she said in
an interrogative manner. Again Georg>
felt awkward, but Judged 1t best to
plunge into the middle Of the matter
and get it over as soon as possible
"You called to see certain Mr.. Ire
land" he said, "about the lease Of this
house l have come to ask you why
you did So"
Miss Bull stopped patting Margery's
hand and her lips frightened. ~ don't
see what business that is of yours,
she said tartly.
ION the face Of it, Miss Bull, admit
that the question sounds impertinent.
But l am anxious to learn something